The first public national billiards championship is held in New York City's Irving Hall

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The first American national billiards championship took place in New York City at the Irving Hall over eleven nights.  Eight players from around the country competed, with Dudley Kavenaugh of New York, who won six of his seven matches, declared national champion.  He won a gold-mounted cue and an inlaid billiard table worth around $1000, while second place finisher, Louis Fox of Rochester, New York, took home $250. (By John Osborne)  
Source Citation
"Billiard Tournament," Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, June 27, 1863, p. 221.
Modern Billiards: A Complete Text-book of the Game, Containing Plain and Practical Instructions ... (New York: Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, 1909), 210-211.
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