The beads on the wire are used to keep score in straight pool or 14.1 continuous pocket billiards, the standard game of the day and the most popular game in America up until about 40 years ago. My grandfather had the same such counters hung up in his basement over his pool table. You still see some straight pool played in serious billiard halls, but it has long yielded to nine ball in popularity.

Today I suppose it'd have curtains with a Nascar theme and lights over the tables advertising some beer or another.

Just as I say it takes judgement, brains and maturity to score in a Balke line game, I say that any boob can take and shove a ball in a pocket.

Some people may not recognize the billiard table in the rear of the photo. It lacks the pockets of its cousin, the pool table.

With pockets, or without.

A great shot of lovely tables. But this seems to be an afterthought by the hotel. The intrusive column on the right of the pool table would prevent any serious play. Otherwise well equipped, the adaption of a spare corridor was not well thought out.

It looks very tight. The space doesn't look like it was planned as a Billiard Room from the beginning. Awkward.