Greenishness - Green in Gambling and Sports

Green in Gambling and Sports

• Green was the color of one of the famous chariot racing teams at the Hippodrome in Ancient Rome. It was also the color of one of the popular teams in Ancient Byzantium. A riot between the supporters of the blue and green teams in 532 AD lasted for five days and resulted in the death of thousands of supporters and the destruction of much of the center of Constantinople. (See Nika riots).
• Gambling tables in a casino are traditionally green. The tradition is said to have started in gambling rooms in Venice in the 16th century.
• Billiards tables are traditionally covered with green woolen cloth. The first indoor tables, dating to the 15th century, were colored green after the grass courts used for the similar lawn games of the period.
• Tennis courts and ping-pong tables are traditionally painted green, in imitation of grass courts.
• Green was the traditional color worn by hunters in the 19th century, particularly the shade called hunter green. In the 20th century most hunters began wearing the color olive drab, a shade of green, instead of hunter green.

• Green is a common color for sports teams. Well-known teams include Les Verts (The Greens) in Saint-Etienne, France. The Mexico national football team has a green uniform.
• British racing green was the international motor racing color of Britain from the early 1900s until the 1960s, when it was replaced by the colors of the sponsoring automobile companies.
• A green belt in karate, taekwondo and judo symbolizes a level of proficiency in the sport.

• A green belt in judo.

• A baccarat palette and cards on a casino gambling table,

• A 1929 Bentley colored British racing green.

• A billiards table, colored green after the lawns where the ancestors of the game were originally played.