The traditional view of billiards as a refined and noble pastime did not blend well with the low-class connotations of gambling . Beccause of this , the billiards industry 's attempts to distance itself from the term `` pool '' beginning in the late 19th century . As the traditional view of billiards as a refined and noble pastime did not blend well with the low-class connotations of gambling , the billiards industry began to distance itself from the term pool beginning in the late 19th century .