Bar billiards or Russian billiards is a fascinating traditional game first imported into England from Belgium in the 1930s. Designed for pubs and clubs, shots are taken from one end of the Bar Billiards Table only which reduces the required floor space. A Bar Billiards table can be pushed into an awkward corner or niche turning a little-used area into a money spinner.
The game is time-based, each coin lasting 12 - 17 minutes, after which the internal bar drops and no more balls return to the front for replay. Players score points by knocking balls into the holes at the other end of the Bar Billiards table while avoiding toppling the skittles - Bar Billiards games are often decided by the last ball on the table.
Showing all 11 results
The similarity of Bar Billiards with Bagatelle, the pub game that was most popular for at least a century after 1770 is so evident that it seems highly likely that Bar Billiards is a derivative of Bagatelle via some lineage but that lineage is, at present, unknown. Beyond that assumed and mysterious connection, it isn’t known how Bar Billiards originated but in the early 1930s an Englishman called David Gill observed a game called Russian Billiards (Billiard Russe) being played in Belgium. A Russian link is therefore a possibility but it seems more likely that the game was named so as to sound slightly exotic to the ears of West Europeans at the time.
Gill convinced the English manufacturer Jelks to make a version of the game which he called Bar Billiards. Pubs seemed keen to buy tables and other manufacturers soon got in on the act. The first pub league was created in Oxford in 1936 and shortly afterwards leagues sprang up in Reading, Canterbury and High Wycombe. Eventually, a governing body was formed called the All-England Bar Billiards Association which supervises the game across 18 counties, mainly in the South of England.
There do not appear to be any standards to Bar Billiards rules and at least one other variation is in wide circulation that utilises 4 skittles instead of 3.
Bar Billiards is still popular in the South of England but has, unfortunately, lost a lot of its popularity due to the emergence of American 8 ball Pool.
For more information on the History of Bar Billiards, see the Online Guide to Traditional Games.
A German made table-top Bar Billiards game complete with a full set of accessories. Features the German layout which differs slightly from English tables.
We occasionally sell restored / reconditioned antique Bagatelle tables and refurbished Snooker and Bar Billiards tables
Bar Billiards Accessories
Repairing a table can be tricky. Just because we supply spares doesn’t mean you’ll be able to fit them! Some people manage but the staff at our shop don’t repair or make tables ourselves and so regret that we cannot offer advice for would-be DIYers. It’s just that people often ask so we try to help out by offering useful spares and components.
Bar Billiards Balls | Aramith Balls | Choice of Sizes
A set of Bar Billiards Balls. Each set consists of 7 white & 1 red, available as standard Bar Billiards ball size of 1 & 7/8 inch or smaller 1 & 1/2 inch.
Bar Billiards Skittles with wire crosspiece
Bar Billiards Skittle pins. Wooden skittle pins with a metal wire crosspiece to prevent them falling into a hole.
Bar Billiards Mushroom Skittles
Bar Billiards Mushroom Skittles. Wooden mushrooms for Bar Billiards in two different configurations.
Set 9 Bar Billiards hole lining rings – red
A set of 9 plastic rings for Bar Billiard tables. Inner diameter of 55mm, outer diameter of the larger end is 66mm. Need to be glued into hole.
Strachan 777 baize | Special cut for Bar Billiards cloth
Special Bar Billiards cloth package for re-covering your Bar Billiards table and cushions. High Quality West of England 777 baize.
Cushion rubber for Bar Billiards tables
Special Bar Billiards cushion rubber package for refurbishing your Bar Billiards table. High quality Northern Rubber with L shaped profile.
Bar Billiards Table Number Diamonds | White Plastic
Sets of 20 white plastic number diamonds for Bar Billiards Tables. Fix to the ball return tray & backboard.
15V Battery pack for Bar Billiards timer
A special battery pack for the electric timer in a Supreme Bar Billiards Table. This is a 10 cell, 15V battery.
Billiard Table Accessories – for Snooker, Pool and Bar Billiards
Billiard table cloth/baize, cushion rubber, brushes, irons, lighting and various minor accessories.
Billiards Scoreboard
Billiards Scoreboard especially for Billiards & Bar Billiards, but could be used for other high scoring games. Has anodised brass runners & pointers.
Parts for Bar Billiards and Snooker Scoreboards
Parts and spare components for Billiards Scoreboards. For Bar Billiards, Snooker and other games that need a score board. Brass runners and pointers.
Peradon One Piece Merit Ash Snooker & Pool Cues
Peradon basic Merit Ash Snooker cues. Inexpensive one-piece cues of a good quality. For pubs, bars & particularly good for home use in four lengths.
Snooker, Pool & Billiard Cue Racks
Snooker, Pool & Billiard Cue Racks. Freestanding or wall mountable racks for conveniently storing cues when not in use.
Snooker, Pool, Bar Billiards Chalk
Pioneer Tournament Quality chalk for Snooker, American Pool, Bar Billiards and other cue sports. Available in Blue or Green.
Triangle Blue Billiard Chalk
Triangle billiard cue chalk provides reliable grip, reduces miscues and keeps shots accurate. Made in the USA.
Spare Screw In Cue Tips 10mm – Peradon
10mm screw-in tips for Snooker and Pool cues. 3/16″ brass thread. Cheap and easy to replace. Great for pubs and clubs.
Aramith Ball Cleaner & Restorer
Specially formulated to remove minor marks, restore vibrancy, and return the shine to your phenolic snooker and pool balls.
Billiard Table Cloth Brushes
Billiards, Snooker, or Pool Table Brushes – Billiards Table Brush (12 inch) and an Under Cushion Brush for getting right underneath the cushes.
Buy Snooker and Pool Billiard Table Baize / Cloth
A wide range of billiard table cloth. High quality baize for Pool and Snooker tables in a variety of colours.
Bar Billiards / Pool / Snooker Table Dust Covers
Protective covers for billiard tables of all sorts, available in a range of sizes.
Snooker, Pool, Bar Billiards Table Spots
Self-adhesive spots for marking any type of billiards game – Snooker, Bar Billiards or Pool tables.
Billiards, Snooker and Pool Table Cushion Rubber
Snooker, Pool or Billiards Table cushion rubber suitable for full size snooker tables down to small home tables and old English bagatelle games.
Billiard Table Lighting & LED Luminaires
A range of solutions including Supreme LED pool lights, Ultra Bright LED luminaires, and traditional three-light coolie hat shades.
Billiard Table Pocket Nets for Snooker & Billiard Tables
A selection of Snooker/Billiard table pocket nets. Deluxe and superior options. Suitable for balls up to 1 & 7/8 inch.