Question from a pool novice. So I was watching The Color of Money last night; and for those who haven't seen it, the only game played throughout the movie is 9 Ball. Which I find odd because me and my friends frequent a semi-serious (at least in my opinion) pool hall, and practically everyone plays 8 Ball. Also, anytime I played pool growing up (I'm 23) it was always 8 Ball. My friends and I only learned at started occasionally playing 9 Ball a few months ago on a whim just to have some variety.

So I'm wondering, when and why did 8 Ball become the de facto billiards game? Or am I just playing with a bunch of scrubs and 9 Ball is still the "serious game" for real pool sharks. Thanks!