what is the billard ...

long ago they were made of ivory...

but now..

man made polymer which is:

a compound of high molecular weight derived either by the addition of many smaller molecules, as polyethylene, or by the condensation of many smaller molecules with the elimination of water, alcohol, or the like, as nylon.

I had a fascination with the game before playing it. My neighbor had a pool table, but I only went over there a couple times to play. But I tried to watch as much on tv as I could and I started to see some of the more creative shots. And then my dad bought me a couple books on the game. Of course, theory only takes you so far. Luckily, I was able to start playing a lot more when I got to college and the game was more accessible.

Most pool balls today are made of phenolic resin. This includes the cue ball. They have been made of several different materials over the years but phenolic resin is the norm for today.