Bagatelle

Bagatelle (Fr., 'a trifle'), a game somewhat resembling billiards. A bagatelle-board is usually about 7 feet long and 21 inches broad; it is of slate, and is lined with cloth and cushioned; and a game is played on it with nine small ivory balls and a cue or mace. The player's object is to put the balls down in nine numbered holes at the further semicircular end of the board. The game is as old at least as 1819.