In America, billiards had a questionable reputation because of its association with gambling. The 20-year rivalry of American pool masters Michael Phelan and Dudley Kavanagh in the late 19th century, however, attracted attention and respect as tournaments became standing-room-only tuxedo affairs. Ironically, the two also started a tradition of conflicting associations governing the game, which now makes all titles suspect, and the Olympics an impossible dream.

在美国，台球因和赌博相联系，名声仍受到质疑。19世纪末，当台球公开赛成了盛装庆事，只能买到站票的时候，美国台球双雄迈克费兰和杜德利卡文纳长达20年之久的 霸，吸引了众人的目光，赢得了尊敬。具讽刺意味的是，他们 两人也开创了有冲突的台球协会间争相控制这种运动的传统，它使得所有的名次难以确定，列入奥运正式比赛项目仍只是一场梦。

(短文节选,本篇始于：台球的沿革)