Glossary of pool, billiards and snooker terms

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following is a list of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; billiards referring to the various carom games played on a table without pockets such as straight rail, three-cushion, balkline and artistic billiards; and snooker played on a special table which, like a pool table, has six pockets, but is significantly larger and has specialized refinements. The term billiards is sometimes also used to refer to all of the cue sports.

Contents:	Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

[edit] A

[edit] Above

Used in snooker in reference to the position of the cue ball. It is above the object ball if it is off-straight on the baulk cushion side of the imaginary line for a straight pot (e.g. he'll want to finish above the blue in order to go into the pink and reds). It is also common to use the term high instead (e.g. she'll want to finish high on the black to allow position on the red).^[1]

[edit] Action

1. Gambling or the potential for gambling (US).
2. Lively results on a ball (usually the cue ball) from the application of english

[edit] Ahead race or session

A match format in which a player has to establish a lead of an agreed number of racks in order to win (e.g. in a ten ahead race a player wins when she/he has ten more racks than the opponent).^[1]

[edit] Aiming line

An imaginary line drawn from the desired path an object ball is to be sent (usually the center of a pocket) and the center of the object ball.

[edit] Angle of incidence

The angle at which a ball approaches a rail, as measured from the perpendicular to the rail. The phrase has been in use since as early as 1653.^[1]

[edit] Angle of reflection

The angle from which a ball rebounds from a rail, as measured from the perpendicular to the rail.^[1]

[edit] Arc

The arc of the cue ball is the extent to which it curves as a result of a semi-massé or massé shot.

[edit] B

[edit] Back/backer

See stakehorse.^[1]

[edit] Back cut

A cut shot in which if a line were drawn from the cue ball to the rail behind the object ball parallel to the table's rail, the object ball would lie outside the line with respect to the pocket being targeted.

[edit] Backer

See stake.

[edit] Backspin

See draw. Also spelled back spin.^[1]

[edit] Baize

A cloth material used to cover billiard tables, usually green in colour and sometimes called felt based on a similarity on appearance, though very different in makeup.^[1] See Baize.

[edit] Balance point

The point, usually around 18″ from the bottom of a cue, at which the cue will balance when resting on one hand.^[1]

[edit] Balkline

1. A type of carom game created to eliminate very high runs in straight rail.
2. A line drawn horizontally from a point on the billiard table's long rail to the corresponding point on the opposite long rail, from which the game of balkine takes its name.^[1] See also baulk line.

[edit] Ball-in-hand

The option of placing the cue ball anywhere on the table prior to shooting. Usually only available to a player when the opposing player has committed some type of foul under a particular game's rules.^[1]

[edit] Ball-On

Any legally strikable ball on the table in commonwealth terminology. For example, in 8-ball, if a player is playing solids, any ball from 1 to 7 can be the "ball-on" until they are all potted, in which case the 8-ball is the ball-on. In snooker, at the beginning of a player's turn, unless all are already potted, any red ball can be the "ball-on". Compare object ball.^[1]

[edit] Banger

A derogatory term for a recreational or beginning player who "bangs" the balls without any thought for position nor attempt to control the cue ball; also a reference to the predilection of beginners to often hit the cue ball far harder than necessary. See also potter.

[edit] Bank shot/bank

A shot in which an object ball is driven to one or more rails prior to being pocketed (or in some contexts, prior to reaching its intended target; not necessarily a pocket). Sometimes "bank" is conflated to refer to kick shots as well, and in the UK it is often called a double.^[1]

[edit] Bar player or Bar league player

A player that predominantly plays in bars or is in a bar pool league. Often used pejoratively by pool room players to refer to a perceived lesser skill level of such players.

[edit] Bar pool, bar rules

Pool, almost always a variant of eight-ball, that is played by bar players on a bar table (qqv.) Bar pool has rules that vary from region to region, sometimes even from pub to pub in the same city, especially in the U.S. It is thus always a good idea to understand/agree to rules before engaging in a money game under bar rules. Typical differences between bar pool and tournament eight-ball are the lack of ball-in-hand after a foul, the elimination of a number of fouls, and (in U.S. bar pool) the requirement that most aspects of a shot (rails and other balls to be contacted) be called, not just the object ball and pocket. Bar pool has evolved into this "nitpicky" version principally to make the games last longer, since bar pool is typically played on coin-operated tables that cost money per-game rather than per-hour. Competitive league pool played on bar tables, however, usually uses the region's tournament rules or a variant of them, and is not what is usually meant by "bar pool".

[edit] Bar table

Pool tables found in bars. They are almost always coin-operated and smaller than regulation-sized tables (3.5 ft. x 7 ft. is typical, though 4x8 and even 3x6 examples can sometimes be found). Most North American brands of bar tables have pocket proportions confusingly opposite those of regular tables — the side pockets are remarkably tight, while the corners are more generous than those of pool hall tables. Because they are coin-operated and capture pocketed balls, they employ one of several mechanisms to return a scratched cue ball. The oversized and extra-dense cue ball methods are deprecated, because these cue balls do not play correctly (especially with regard to cut shots and stop/draw, respectively). Modern bar tables make use of a magnet and a regulation or near-regulation size and weight cue ball with an iron core, to separate the cue ball from the others and return it to the players. Pool hall players complain also that the cloth used on bar tables is often greatly inferior (in particular that it is "slow" and that english does not "take" enough), and also often find that the rails are not as responsive as they are used to.^[1]

[edit] Baulk

In snooker, the area between the baulk line and the baulk cushion, which houses the D and is analogous to the kitchen in pool.^[1]

[edit] Baulk colour

In snooker, any of the three colour balls that get spotted on the baulk line: the yellow, green or brown ball.^[1]

[edit] Baulk cushion

In snooker, the cushion opposite the top cushion and bounded by the yellow and green pockets.^[1]

[edit] Baulk line

A straight line drawn 29″ from the face of the bottom cushion on a snooker table. Similar to the head string on a pool table. Not to be confused with the balkline carom games.^[1]

[edit] Bed

The playing area of a table, exclusive of the cushions.^[1]

[edit] Below

Used in snooker in reference to the position of the cue ball. It is "below" the object ball if it is off-straight on the top cushion side of the imaginary line for a straight pot (e.g. he'll want to finish below the black in order to go into the reds). This may seem counterintuitive, see above for an explanation.

[edit] Big, bigs, big balls, big ones

In eight-ball, to be shooting the striped "suit" of balls (9 through 15); "you're big balls" or "I've got the big ones". Compare stripes, high"; contrast "little".^[1] Not to be confused with the carom billiards concept of a big ball, below.

[edit] Big ball

A carom billiards metaphor, it refers to an object ball positioned and being approached in such a manner that a near miss will rebound off a cushion and still score. It is as if the ball were larger than normal, making it easier to contact. Normally a ball a couple inches from a rail is a big ball, but only if being approached from an angle and if all the prerequisite rails have already been contacted. A ball near a corner can effectively be a foot wide. Not to be confused with the eight-ball term "the big balls". In older British usage the conceot was referred to as large ball.^[1]

[edit] Big pocket

A pool term (inherited from carom billards by way of "big ball", above), a "big pocket" is a metaphor for a shot that is very difficult to miss pocketing for any of a number of reasons, most commonly either because the object ball is positioned such that a near miss on one side of it will likely cause the cueball to rebound into the ball off of the rail and pocket it anyway, or another ball is positioned such that if the object ball does not go straight in, it is still likely to go in off of the other ball. It is as if the pocket, for this one shot, had become larger. The term can also refer to shot angle toward a pocket, especially a side pocket; the pocket is said to be "bigger", for example, on a shot that is only a 5-degree angle away from straight on, than on a 45-degree angle shot which is much more likely to hit one of the cushion points and bounce away.

[edit] Billiard, billiard shot

Any shot in which the cue ball caroms off an object ball to strike another object ball.^[1]

[edit] Billiards

In the U.S. refers to the carom games, or sometimes to all cue sports. In the UK, it usually means the game of English billiards.

[edit] Black ball

In snooker, the highest-value colour ball on the table, being worth 7 points.^[1]

[edit] Blood test

Any very difficult shot that must be made under pressure.

[edit] Blue

In snooker, the colour ball worth 5 points, whose spot is at the center of the table.^[1]

[edit] Body english

The useless but common practice of contorting one's body while a shot is in play, in the vain hope that that will influence the balls' paths of travel; the term is considered humorous.^[1]

[edit] Bottom spin

Same as draw and backspin. See draw.

[edit] Break

1. Typically describes the first shot in a billiards games. In carom games it describes the first point attempt, as shot from an unvarying cue ball and object balls placement; in many pocket billiard games it describes the first shot which is used to break open the balls which have been racked together;^[1]
2. Also describes a series of consecutive pots by a player during a single turn. More typically applied in Snooker, e.g., "The player had a break of 89 points."^[1]

[edit] Break and dish

In UK 8-ball, to break off, pot one or more balls, then go on to run out the frame.

[edit] Break and run [out]

In pocket billiards, when a player breaks the balls, pockets at least one ball on the break, and commences to pocket the remaining balls without the opponent getting a turn at the table. Multiple break-and-runs occur quite frequently in professional play, but anything higher than five racks in a row is considered very good (Earl Strickland once broke and ran eleven racks in a row to win $1,000,000 during a tournament that had a promotion that anyone who could break and run ten in row would win the million.^{[citation needed]})

[edit] Break down one's cue

To take one's two-piece cue stick apart, often indicating that the game is over or conceded.^[1]

[edit] Bridge

Either the player's hand or a mechanical bridge used to support the shaft end of the cue stick during a shot. Also the particular hand formation used for this purpose.^[1]

[edit] Bridge hand

The hand used by a player as a bridge during a normal shot that doesn't involve a mechanical bridge. The bridge hand is usually a player's non-dominant hand.^[1]

[edit] Brown

In snooker, the highest-value baulk colour, being worth 4 points.^[1]

[edit] Bumper

The rubber bumper on the bottom of a cue.^[1]

[edit] Burnish

To seal the pores of a wooden cue by rubbing it vigorously with some material, usually leather; also done to the edge of a cue tip to fortify it against mushrooming.

[edit] Business, doing

Collusion between matchplay opponents who prearrange who will win a match on which other people's money is wagered, in order to guarantee a payday.^[1]

[edit] Butt

The bottom portion of a pool cue which is gripped by a player's hand.^[1]

[edit] C

[edit] Calcutta

A player's auction at a pool tournament. Each player is called and players and spectators bid on the player. The highest bidder pays their bid to the calcutta, and then essentially has invested in that player's success. The highest bidder(s) on the player(s) that win or advance far enough in the tournament is/are entitled to their share of all money used for bids.

[edit] Call

Any instance of a player having to say what they are about to do, or have already done. For example, in eight ball a player must call the pocket in which a ball is intended to be potted.

[edit] Call shot

Any game in which during normal play a player must call the ball to be hit and the intended pocket; "8-ball is a call shot game."

[edit] Cannon

English/Canadian variant of carom.

[edit] Carom

Also carambole.

1. A type of point-scoring shot in billiards where the player causes his/her cue ball to hit each of the other two balls on the table. Also called a cannon (British/Canadian variant).
2. To careen the cue ball off of an object ball to strike another object ball with the cue ball. Contrast with kiss shot.

[edit] Center spot

The spot at the geographic center of the bed of a table.

[edit] Centre pocket

In the UK, one of the two pockets one either side of a pool or snooker table halfway up the long rails. They are cut shallower than corner pockets because they have a 180° aperture, instead of 90°. Also commonly called a middle pocket. The term is not generally used in the US where "side pocket" prevails.

[edit] Century

In snooker, a break of 100 points or more, which involves potting at least 26 balls consecutively.

[edit] Chalk

A powdered substance placed on a cue stick's tip to increase its friction and thereby decrease slippage between the tip and cue ball. See hand chalk.

[edit] Chasing your money

The inability of some players to stop gambling once they have lost money because they "have" to get their money back.

[edit] Cheat(ing) the pocket

Aiming an object ball away from the center of a pocket so that the cue ball may strike the object ball at a different contact point. Employed for position play.

[edit] Check side

A type of spin imparted to the cue ball to make it rebound from a cushion at a shallower angle than it would if the spin had not been used.

[edit] Chinese snooker

A situation where the cue ball is directly in front of another ball in the line of the shot such that the player is hampered by it, having to bridge over it awkwardly. This term is most commonly used in the game of snooker.

[edit] Choke(ing)

The committing of errors due to pressure.

[edit] Clean

Describing a pot that goes straight into the pocket without touching either knuckle.

[edit] Clearance

In snooker and various pool games played in the UK, the successful potting of all object balls in play in a single frame.

[edit] Cling

An unnatural contact between two balls, usually the cue ball and an object ball, which can negatively affect an otherwise well-played shot. Cling occurs when some foreign material, often residual chalk on the cue ball's surface, contacts the object ball and throws the shot offline. Also sometimes known as skid, or in the UK, kick.

[edit] Closed bridge

A bridge formed by the hand where the index finger is curved over the cue stick and other fingers are spread on the cloth providing solid support for the cue stick's direction.

[edit] Cloth

The cloth covering the tables playing surface and rails, usually made from wool or a wool-nylon blend. Sometimes cloth is improperly referred to as "felt."

[edit] Cluster

Two or more object balls that are touching or are close together.

[edit] Collision-induced english

Sidespin imparted to an object ball by the friction from the hit of the cue ball during a cut shot.

[edit] Collision-induced throw

Deflection of an object ball's path away from the impact line of a cut shot, caused by sliding friction between the cue ball and the object ball. One of the two types of throw.

[edit] Colour ball

In snooker, any of the object balls that are not red. A colour ball must be potted after each red in the continuation of a break, and are re-spotted until the reds run out, after which the colours must be potted in their order:

• yellow (2 points);
• green (3 points);
• brown (4 points);
• blue (5 points);
• pink (6 points);
• black (7 points).

Although the full term includes "ball" after the colour, they are most commonly referred to with the omission of "ball", just stating the colour (e.g. "he's taken 5 blacks with reds so far").

[edit] Combination

Any shot in which the cue ball contacts another ball, which in turn hits one or more balls to an intended place, usually a pocket. In the UK this is often referred to as a plant.

[edit] Contact point

The point on each of two balls at which they touch at the moment of impact.

[edit] Containing safety

A type of safety shot in the middle of a safety exchange that is not intended to put the opponent in a difficult situation regarding their next safety, but rather played so as to not leave an easy pot on. A typical example in snooker, which sees the most shots of this kind, is a slow roll-up into the pack.

[edit] Corner hooked

When the corner lip of a pocket blocks the path of the cue ball from contacting an intended object ball. Interchangeable with "tittie hooked".

[edit] Corner pocket

Any of the four pockets in each corner of a pool or snooker table. They have a 90° aperture and as such are cut deeper than center pockets, which have 180° apertures. On an American table, a corner pocket is cut to be able to accept two balls abreast simultaneously.

[edit] Creep

Deviation of a ball from its initial direction of travel. Often the result of a poor-quality table and may be an artifact of the cloth, the bed, a ball with uneven weight distribution, or simply the floor the table stands on being uneven. It should not be confused with the nap of the cloth.

[edit] Cribbage

A game in which players score ways by making series of two balls in succession that have a number value which combined equal 15. For example, the 8 ball and the 7 ball added together equal 15 and make up one way.

[edit] Cross-corner

A bank shot that rebounds from a cushion and into the nearer corner pocket.

[edit] Cross double

A UK term describing a bank shot in which the cue ball crosses the future path of the object ball. Such shots are usually played into a center pocket because there is the danger of a double-kiss if played to a corner pocket.

[edit] Cross-side

A bank shot that rebounds from a cushion and into the side pocket.

[edit] Cue

1. A stick, usually around 55-60" in length with a leather tip on the end and sometimes with a joint in the middle, which is used to propel billiard balls.

Further information: Cue stick

1. Sometimes cue is short for cue ball.

[edit] Cue action

A UK term describing the posture and timing used by players on their shots, often indicative of how they play in their shot selection. A fast, natural player would tend to be more aggressive whereas a less naturally-gifted player might have a slow action and tend to be more conservative on the table. It is widely accepted that the better players get lower to the table with their chins on the cue, have a straight back leg, their elbow hingeing in line with the shot, and a straight follow-through after the cue ball has been struck.

[edit] Cue ball

The ball in a billiards game, typically white in color, that a player strikes with a cue stick. It is variably spelled cueball, and is sometimes referred to as the white ball, whitey and the rock.

Further information: Cue ball

[edit] Cue power

A UK term describing the amount of control a player can retain when playing shots with heavy spin and great pace; "it took tremendous cue power to get onto the 2-ball having been relatively straight on the 1."

[edit] Cue stick

See cue.

[edit] Cue tip

A material, usually leather, placed on the end of a cue stick that comes in contact with the cue ball.

[edit] Curve shot

See semi-massé.

[edit] Cushion

The elastic bumpers mounted on all rails of a billiards table, usually made from rubber or synthetic rubber, from which the balls rebound.

[edit] Cut shot

Technically, any shot that is not a center-to-center hit, but almost always used to describe a shot that has more than a slight degree of angle.

[edit] Cutthroat

A three person game. Each player claims a set of 5 balls, choosing between sets of the 1 through 5 balls, the 6 through 10 balls and the 11 through 15. The goal is to sink all the balls of both of your opponents while keeping yours on the table. If a player scratches, one previously sank ball of each opponent are brought back into play.

[edit] D

[edit] "D", the

An 11½″ radius semicircle, drawn behind a snooker table's baulk line, centred on the middle of the line, and resembling the upper case letter "D" in shape.

[edit] Dart stroke

A short and loose stroke performed in a manner similar to the way one throws a dart; usually employed for the jump shot.

[edit] Dead

Same as wired.

[edit] Dead ball shot

Same as kill shot.

[edit] Dead rail

A cushion that has either lost a degree of elastic resiliency or is not firmly bolted to the frame, in both cases causing balls to rebound with less energy than is normal.

[edit] Dead stroke

When a player is playing flawlessly, just "cannot miss" and the game seems effortless.

[edit] Deadweight

Describing a pot played at such a pace as to just reach the pocket and drop in without hitting the back.

[edit] Deflection

Displacement of the cue ball's path away from the parallel line formed by the cue stick's direction of travel; occurs every time english is employed. The degree of deflection increases the faster and the more english with which a ball is struck. It is also called squirt, typically in the United States.

[edit] Deliberate foul

A shot, especially common in straight pool and in UK 8-ball, in which a player intentionally commits a foul with the object in mind of either leaving the opponent with little chance of running out or simply to avoid shooting where no good shot is presented and to do anything else would give the opponent an advantage. It is often referred to in straight pool also as a "back scratch."

[edit] Develop

To move a ball (usually deliberately) from a safe position, e.g. close to the middle of a cushion or in a cluster, so that it becomes pottable.

[edit] Diamonds

Markings, usually inlaid into the surface above the rail cushions, used as target or reference points. Three equally spaced diamonds are normally between each pocket on a pool table. Diamonds get their name from the shape of the markings traditionally used. Nevertheless, no matter the shape, rail markings are still referred to as "diamonds."

[edit] Diamond system

Any system for banking or kicking balls multiple rails which uses table diamonds as aiming references.

[edit] Dish

A variant term, especially in UK 8-ball, for running out. Compare break and dish.

[edit] Dog

A widespread term in US parlance describing missing a relatively easy shot—often in the face of pressure. Can be used in many forms: "I dogged the shot"; "I hope he dogs it"; "I'm such a dog."

[edit] Dots

In chiefly UK parlance, the non-striped balls of a 15 ball set that are numbered one through seven and have a solid color scheme. Compare solids, low, small, little, spots; contrast stripes.

[edit] Double

See bank shot.

[edit] Double cheeseburger, the

Same as hill, hill.

[edit] Double elimination

A tournament format in which a player must lose two matches in order to be eliminated.

[edit] Double hit

An illegal shot in which the cue stick's tip contacts the cue ball twice during a single stroke. Double hits often occurs when a player shoots the cue ball when it is very close to another ball or rail.

[edit] Double kiss

A situation in which a ball strikes another ball which is close to a rail and the struck ball rebounds back into the ball it was hit by; usually but not always unintended.

[edit] Double shimmed

A pool table where two shims have been placed on the sides of each pocket (in the jaws beneath the cloth), making the pockets "tighter" (smaller). Such tables are "tougher" than unshimmed or single-shimmed tables, but not as tough as a triple-shimmed table. Top players often prefer shimmed tables, whereas beginners find them frustrating.

[edit] Double the rail

A three cushion billiards shot where the cue ball is shot with reverse english at a relatively shallow angle down the rail, and spins backwards off the adjacent rail back into the first rail.

[edit] Drag shot

A shot played slowly and with heavy draw so that the cue ball can be struck firmly but with a lot of the pace taken out, allowing more control than just a gentle tap that would travel as far.

[edit] Draw

A type of spin applied to the cue ball by hitting it below its equator, which makes it reverse direction if still on the cueball at the moment of contact with an object ball. There are several variant terms for this, including, bottom and bottom spin in the US and screw in the UK, as well as back spin, which is common in both. Draw is thought to be the first spin technique understood by billiards players prior to the introduction of leather tips, and was in use by the 1790s.^[1]

[edit] Drill

1. A set practice routine;
2. To beat badly; "I drilled my opponent."
3. In commonwealth terminology, a bank shot.

[edit] Drop pockets

Pockets that do not return the balls to a foot end of the table, which must be retrieved manually.

[edit] Duck

1. Derived from "sitting duck", as a noun, duck describes an object ball sitting close to a pocket or so positioned that is virtually impossible to miss. Same as hanger;
2. Duck, employed as a verb, means to intentionally play a safety.

[edit] E

[edit] Eight ball

The last ball that must be potted in a game of Eight ball, after the set of seven that must be cleared first. It is usually black in colour with the number eight written on in a white circle.

[edit] End rail

Either of the two shorter rail of a billiards or pocket billiards table.

[edit] English

Sidespin placed on the cue ball when hit with the cue stick to the left or right of center ball. Sometimes also used to refer to follow (spin in the natural direction of a ball's roll, placed on a cue ball by hitting it above center) and draw (spin in the opposite direction of the natural direction of a ball's roll, placed on a cue ball by hitting it below center).

[edit] Equator

The horizontal plane directly in the center of the cue ball, which when hit exactly by the cue tip should impart no follow-through or draw.

[edit] Escape

A successful attempt to get out of a snooker.

[edit] Extension

Any mechanical aid that serves to extend the length of the player's cue, normally added to the end of the butt either by clipping around the end or screwing into the base. Though extensions are used for pool, it is more common in snooker because of the significantly larger table size.

[edit] F

[edit] Fat

See undercut.

[edit] Fault

See foul.

[edit] Feather shot

A very thin cut shot in which the cue ball just brushes the edge of an object ball. The term is often shortened to just "feather."

[edit] Felt

A deprecated term for cloth.

[edit] Ferrule

A sleeve made from plastic, ivory or other material, upon which the cue tip is mounted and which protects the shaft wood from splitting from cue ball impact.

[edit] Firewood

Common slang in the US for a cheap, poorly-made cue. Compare wood.

[edit] Fish

1. An easy mark;
2. A person who loses money gambling and keeps coming back for more;
3. Sometimes, a poor player;
4. As a verb, hitting the balls hard with no intention in mind other than to get lucky.

[edit] Flagrant foul

A foul where the rules are blatantly violated, with a stiffer penalty (e.g., loss of game) than normal.

[edit] Fluke

A shot that has a positive outcome for the player, although it was not what the player intended. Examples of flukes include an unexpected pot off several cushions or other balls having missed the pocket aimed for, or perhaps a lucky safety position having missed a pot.

[edit] Follow

See topspin.

[edit] Follow shot

A shot in which the cue ball is struck above the equator to impart topspin, causing the cue ball to travel forward after it contacts an object ball.

[edit] Follow-through

On a shot, the extension of the cue through the cue ball position during the end of a player's stroke in the direction originally aimed.

[edit] Foot rail

The short rail at the end of the table where balls are normally racked.

[edit] Foot spot

The point on the table surface over which the apex ball of a rack is centered or, the point half the distance between the second diamond on either side of the racking end of the table.

[edit] Force follow

A powerful follow shot with a high degree of topspin on it; usually when the object ball being hit is relatively close to the cue ball and is being hit very full; also known as "prograde topspin" and as a "jenny" in Australia.

[edit] Foul

A violation of a particular game's rules for which a set penalty is imposed. In many games the penalty for a foul is ball-in-hand for the opponent or ball-in-hand behind the headstring. See ball-in-hand. In other games such as straight pool, a foul results in a loss of one or more points. In one-pocket, in which a set number of balls must be made in a specific pocket, upon a foul the player must return a ball to the table. In some games, three successive fouls in a row is a loss of game. In straight pool, a third successive foul results in a loss of 16 points (15 plus one for the foul).

[edit] Possible foul situations (nonexclusive)

• the player shoots the cue ball first into a ball that is not an object ball;
• the player shoots and after contacting an object ball, no ball is pocketed and neither the cue ball nor a numbered ball contacts a cushion (excepting push out rules);
• the player pockets the cue ball. See scratch;
• the player does not have at least one foot on the floor at the moment of shooting;
• the player shoots the cue ball before all other balls have come to a complete stop;
• the player hits the cue ball more than once during a shot (a double hit);
• the player touches the cue ball with something other than the tip of the cue;
• the player touches any ball other than the cue ball;
• the player causes a ball to leave the table's playing surface;
• the player marks the table in any manner to aid in aiming;
• the player who has ball-in-hand touches an object ball with the cue ball while attempting to place the cue ball on the table;
• The player shoots in such a manner that his cue tip stays in contact with the cue ball for more than the momentary time commensurate with a stroked shot (a push shot).

[edit] Frame

A term especially used in snooker and UK 8-ball but also in the US for each rack from the break off until a clearance, losing foul or concession has been made.

[edit] Frame ball

See game ball.

[edit] Free ball

A situation where a player has fouled, leaving the opponent snookered. In UK 8-ball this would normally give the opponent the option of one of two plays: (1) ball-in-hand with two shots; (2) being allowed to contact, or even pot, a ball other than one from his/her set from the snookered position (although the black may not be potted), with the loss of the first shot. In snooker it allows a player to call any ball as the ball she/he would have wanted to play, potting it for the same number of points, or the opponent can be put back in without the same privilege, having to play the ball snookered on. It should be noted that the definition of snooker on this occasion means the opponent cannot strike both extreme edges of the object ball.

[edit] Free stroking

1. Pocketing well and quickly but without much thought for position play.
2. Playing loose and carefree.
3. Same as dead stroke.

[edit] Freeze up

To dedicate a set amount of money that a gambling match will be played to; no one may quit until one player or the other has won the "frozen up" funds.

[edit] Frozen

A resting ball that is in actual contact with one or more balls or with a rail is "frozen" to the touching ball(s) or rail. In some rooms, the grammatically incorrect form "froze" is almost always heard instead.

[edit] Fundamentals

The basic actions necessary to shoot well – stance, grip, stroke, bridge and follow-through.

[edit] G

[edit] Game ball

The ball required to win the rack. In snooker and UK 8-ball it is also called the "frame ball."

[edit] Games on the wire

To give a handicap to an opponent where they have to win a specified number less games than the other player in order to triumph in the match.

[edit] Gapper

An agreement between two players in a tournament, one of whom will advance to a guaranteed money prize if the match is won, to give a certain percentage of that money to the loser of the match.

[edit] Gather shot

In the carom games, any shot where the end result is all the balls near each other; ideally, in position for the start of a nurse on the next stroke.

[edit] Ghost ball

A common aiming method in which a phantom ball is imagined frozen to the object ball at the point where an imaginary line drawn between their centers is aimed at the desired target; the cue ball may then be shot at the center of the "ghost" ball and, ideally, impact the object ball at the proper aiming contact point.

[edit] Go off

Describes the propensity of a player losing small money at gambling to suddenly sharply increase the stakes; often continuing to lose until broke. Compare chasing your money.

[edit] Golden break

In 9-ball, especially in the UK, a break shot that pots the 9-ball without fouling, in which case the player wins in one shot.

[edit] Green ball

In snooker, the colour ball that is worth three points, being the second-least valuable colour behind the yellow. It is one of the baulk colours.

[edit] Green pocket

The pocket in snooker that is closest to the green spot.

[edit] H

[edit] Half-ball hit

A shot aimed such that the center of the cue ball is in line with the edge of the object ball, eclipsing half of the ball. "Hit it just a little thinner than half ball." Also notable because the carom angle the cue ball takes is more consistent than at other contact points.

[edit] Half-century

In snooker, a break of 50–99 points (100 points or more being called a century), which involves potting at least 12 consecutive balls.

[edit] Hand chalk

Powdery white chalk placed on a player's bridge hand to reduce moisture so that a cue's shaft can slide more easily. It is not provided in many establishments as many recreational players will use far more than is necessary and transfer it all over the table's surface.

[edit] Handicapping

Modification of the rule and/or scoring of a game to enable players of differing abilities to compete on more even terms. Examples of handicapping include spotting balls and giving games on the wire to an opponent.

[edit] Hanger

An easy shot—often a ball "hanging" over the edge of a pocket. Same as duck.

[edit] Hanging in the pocket

A ball hanging over the edge of a pocket.

[edit] Have the nuts

Be in a game where either because of disparity in skill level, or because of a handicap given, it would be very difficult to lose.

[edit] Having the cue ball on a string

Used when describing perfect cue ball position play.

[edit] Head rail

The short rail at the opposite end of the table from where the balls are normally racked.

[edit] Head string

A line drawn horizontally across a billiards table from the second diamond on one long rail to the corresponding second diamond on the other long rail on the breaking end of the table. In many pool games, the opening break shot must be performed with the center (base) of the cue ball behind the head string. See kitchen.

[edit] Heads up

See straight up.

[edit] Heart

The strength of a player's will to win; the ability to overcome pressure; "he showed a lot of heart in making that comeback."

[edit] High, highs, high balls

In eight-ball, to be shooting the striped "suit" of balls (9 through 15); "you're high balls" or "I've got the highs" ("you're high" is rare, because of the "intoxication" ambiguity). Compare stripes, big ones"; contrast "low".

[edit] Hill-hill

The point in match play where both players (or teams) need only one more game to win. See on the hill.

[edit] Hook

See snooker.

[edit] Hook rest

In snooker, a type of mechanical bridge that has only recently been endorsed by the WPBSA to allow its use in major tournament play. It is a normal rest with the head in line with the shaft, but the last foot or so of the shaft is curved. This allows players to position the curved end around an obstructing ball that would have otherwise left them hampered on the cue ball and in need of a spider or swan with extensions, which would have less control.

[edit] House cue

Usually a one-piece cue freely available for use by patrons in bars and pool halls.

[edit] House man

A pool room employee who plays with a good degree of skill.

[edit] House rack

A pejorative term for an improper rack in which the balls are not properly in contact with their neighbors, often resulting in a poor spread on the break.

[edit] House rules

The rules played in a particular venue not necessarily in comportment with official rules.

[edit] Hug the rail

See velcro.

[edit] Hustle

Play for money and lull a victim into thinking they can win, prompting them to accept higher and higher stakes, until beating them and walking off with more money than they would have been willing to bet had they been beaten soundly in the beginning. The terms hustler, for one who hustles, and hustling, describing the act, are just as common if not more so than this verb form.

[edit] I

[edit] In-hand

See ball-in-hand.

[edit] Inning

A player's turn at the table, usually ending with a miss, a failure to score a point, a safety or with a win.

[edit] In-off

In snooker, an instance where the cue ball has been potted after contacting another ball first. The term also tends to be used when it goes straight in, but this is not technically correct.

[edit] Inside english

Sidespin on a cue ball on the same side of the direction of the cut angle to be played (left hand english when cutting a ball to the left, and vice versa).

[edit] In stroke

Cueing and timing the balls well; in good form, where potting, safety and clarity of thinking seems to come a lot easier. If a player is not doing as well but then suddenly picks up, which happens during the course of most matches, she/he is said to catch a stroke.

[edit] Insurance ball

A ball that is easily made from most positions on the table but which is left untouched while the rack is played, so that in the event the player gets out of position, the shooter has an insurance shot. Typically an insurance ball will be in or near the jaws of a pocket.

[edit] In turn

When a particular ball is given as a handicap in nine-ball, designating that ball in turn means that it must be made in rotation, when it is the lowest numerical ball remaining on the table, and cannot be made to garner a win earlier in the game by way of a combination, carom or any other shot. For example, if a player is spotted the 8 ball, he only wins by making that ball after balls 1 through 7 have been cleared from the table. The phrase is not common in the U.S.

[edit] Irish linen

Linen made from flax and produced in Ireland which is often used to wrap the gripping area of the butt of a cue.

Further information: Irish linen

[edit] J

[edit] Jack up

1. To elevate the back of the cue on a shot.
2. In gambling, to "jack up a bet" means to increase the stakes.

[edit] Jail

When a player is on the receiving end of a devastating safety where it is very difficult or near impossible to make a legal hit on an object ball.

[edit] Jam up

Adjectival expression for a player's deadly game; "watch out, he plays jam up."

[edit] Jaws

The inside walls of a pocket billiards table's pockets.

[edit] Jenny

See force follow.

[edit] Joint

The interlocking connection between the butt and shaft ends of a two-piece cue stick.

[edit] Joint protectors

Plugs that screw into the joint when a two-piece cue is broken down to keep foreign objects and moisture from contacting the joint mechanism.

[edit] Jump cue

A cue dedicated to jumping balls; usually shorter and lighter than a playing cue and having a wider, hard tip. Also referred to as a jump stick.

[edit] Jump shot

Any shot where the cue ball is intentionally jumped into the air to clear an obstacle. Jump shots must be performed by hitting the cue ball into the table's surface so that it rebounds from the cloth. Scooping under the cue ball to fling it into the air is deemed illegal by all authoritative rules sources. The term is often shortened to "jump."

[edit] K

[edit] Key ball

The object ball involved in a key shot.

[edit] Key shot

1. A shot or ball that allows a player to obtain shape on another ball hard to play position to.
2. A shot or ball that is the "key" to running out.
3. The 14^th object ball in a rack of straight pool that, when proper position is achieved on, allows easy position play, in turn, on the last (15^th) object ball for an intergame break shot.

[edit] Kick

1. In the US, a ubiquitous shortening of the term kick shot.
2. In the UK, the phenomenon known as cling or skid in the US.

[edit] Kick shot

A shot in which the cue ball is driven to one or more rails before reaching its intended target — usually an object ball. It is often shortened to kick, as in "I had to kick at it" or "He can kick like a mule!"

[edit] Kill shot

A shot intended to slow down or "kill" the cue ball's speed as much as possible after contact with an object ball; usually a shot with draw, often combined with inside english. It is often shortened to kill.

[edit] Kiss

An instance of contact between balls, usually used in the context of describing an object ball contacting another object ball (e.g. "the two ball kissed off the twelve ball"). If the player's intention was to cause two object balls to kiss (e.g. to pocket a shot ball after a ricochet off of a stationary one), it is often called a kiss shot. Compare double kiss. Contrast carom.

[edit] Kiss shot

See kiss.

[edit] Kitchen

The area on the table behind the head string.

[edit] Knuckle

One of two sharp curves of the cushions either side of a pocket at the points where they meet, forming the jaws of the pockets.

[edit] L

[edit] Lag for break

To determine the order of break, players each shoot a ball to the end rail and back to the bottom rail. Whichever player's ball comes to rest closest to the bottom rail gets to choose who breaks. It is permissible for the cue ball to touch and rebound from the bottom rail.

[edit] Leave

The cue ball's position after a shot. A "good" leave would describe an advantageous position for the next shot.

[edit] Lemonade stroke

Intentionally playing with an amateurish stroke to disguise one ability to play. Compare on the lemonade.

[edit] Let out

To allow an opponent to stop playing a set for money in exchange for something. If a player is winning a set by a large amount with $100 on the line, the player could say, "I'll let you out now for $75." This is usually meant to save pride.

[edit] Little, littles, little ones, little balls

In eight-ball, to be shooting the solid "suit" of balls (1 through 7); "you're the little balls" or "I've got the littles". Compare "small", solids, low"; contrast "big".

[edit] Lock

A game that basically cannot be lost based on disparity of skill levels; "this game is a lock for him."

[edit] Lock artist

Someone talented at making lock games.

[edit] Long double

A term used in the UK for a bank shot played up and down the longer length of the table off a short rail and into a corner pocket, as opposed to the more common bank across the short length into a center pocket or corner.

[edit] Long rail

See side rail.

[edit] Low, lows, low balls

In eight-ball, to be shooting the solid "suit" of balls (1 through 7); "you're low balls" or "I've got the lows". Compare solids, little ones"; contrast "high".

[edit] M

[edit] Mark

1. The target of a scam or hustle;
2. A foolish person in a pool room;
3. To indicate where something is to be done. To 'mark the pocket' means to indicate which pocket you intend to sink an object ball. See fish.

[edit] Massé

A steep curve or complete reversal of cue ball direction without the necessity of any rail or object ball being struck, imparted to the cue ball by a steeply elevated cue. Compare semi-massé.

[edit] Maximum

In snooker, the highest break attainable with the balls that are racked; usually 147 points starting by potting 15 reds, in combination with blacks, and clearing the colours.

[edit] Mechanical bridge

A special stick with a grooved end attachment that helps guide the cue stick. Usually used only when the shot cannot be comfortably reached with a hand bridge. Sometimes called a "rest" in snooker games. Often shortened to "bridge".

[edit] Middle pocket

See centre pocket.

[edit] Miscue

A stroke in which the cue's tip glances or slips off the cue ball not effectively transferring the intended force. Usually the result is a bungled shot. See chalk.

[edit] Miss

In snooker, a rule (commonly called the miss rule) whereby if a player fouls and leaves it safe, his opponent has the option to make the opponent play exactly the same shot again, or at least as accurately as the referee is able to reproduce the ball positions. A miss usually only applies when the player has been put in by the opponent after a safety. It is a controversial rule that tries to account for deliberate fouls; a frowned-upon practice. A referee will normally call a miss on any failed attempt to get out of a safety—especially snookers.

[edit] Missable

Describing a difficult pot: "the awkward cueing makes this shot missable."

[edit] Money ball

Name for the ball that when pocketed, wins the game, or any ball that when made results in a payday such as a way in the game of Chicago.

[edit] Money table

The table reserved for games played for money or the best table in the house. This table is always of better quality and regularly maintained. Money tables are most commonly reserved for big action.

[edit] Mushroom

Leather of the cue tip overhanging the ferrule because of compression from repeated contact with the cue ball.

[edit] N

[edit] Nap

The direction in which the small fibers that project upward from the cloth lie. The convention in most billiards games is to brush the cloth along the table in the same direction of the nap, usually from the end that a player break. In snooker and UK 8-ball especially (American tables usually employ a napless weave), this creates the effect of creep in the direction of the nap, the most-affected shot being a slow roll into a center pocket against the nap. It is commonly referred to in the fuller term "nap of the cloth."

[edit] Natural

In pocket billiards, an easy shot requiring no english. In three cushion billiards, the most standard shot where the third ball is advantageously placed in a corner.

[edit] Nip draw

A short, jabbed draw stroke usually employed to not commit a foul when the cue ball is near the ball being struck.

[edit] Nit

Someone who wants too high a handicap or refuses to wager any money on a relatively fair match; a general pool room pejorative moniker.

[edit] Nurse

In straight rail carom games, where all the ball are kept near each other and a cushion and with very soft shots, can be "nursed" down a rail on multiple successful shots.

[edit] O

[edit] Object ball

1. Any ball that may be legally struck by the cue ball;
2. All balls other than the cue ball.

[edit] On the hill

Describes a player who needs only one more game win to be victorious in the match. See hill, hill.

[edit] On the lemonade

Disguising the level of one's ability to play; also known as sandbagging or hustling (though the latter has other meanings). Compare lemonade stroke.

[edit] On the snap

literally "on the break shot"; usually used in reference to pocketing the money ball on the break.

[edit] Open bridge

A bridge formed by the hand where no finger loops over the shaft of the cue. Typically, the cue stick is channeled by a "v"-shaped groove formed by the thumb and the base of the index finger.

[edit] Open table

In eight ball, when choice of group has not yet been decided. Often shortended to just "open".

[edit] Orange crush, the

The 5-out. See out.

[edit] Out

1. A specific ball number followed by "out" refers to a handicap in nine-ball where the "spot" is all balls from that designated number to the nine ball. To illustrates, the 6-out would allow the player getting weight to win by pocketing the 6, 7 or 8 in addition to the 9 ball.
2. Short for run out.

[edit] Outside English

Sidespin on a cue ball on the opposite side of the direction of the cut angle to be played (right hand english when cutting a ball to the left, and vice versa).

[edit] Overcut

Hitting the object ball with too large of a cut angle; hitting the object ball too thin. It is a well-known maxim that overcutting is preferable to undercutting. See professional side of the pocket.

[edit] P

[edit] Pack

1. In snooker, the bunch of reds that are typically left below the pink spot in the early stages of a frame, not including those reds that have been released into pottable positions.
2. See package.

[edit] Package

Successive games won without the opponent getting to the table; a 5-pack would be a package of 5 games.

[edit] Parking the cue ball

1. Having the cue ball stop at or near the center of the table on a forceful break shot (the breaking ideal in many games such as 9-ball);
2. Having the cue ball stop precisely where intended.

[edit] Pink ball

In snooker, the second-highest value colour ball, being worth six points.

[edit] Plant

See combination.

[edit] Pocket

1. (noun) An opening in a table into which balls are shot.
2. (verb) Send a ball into a pocket, usually intentionally.

Further information: Pocket (billiards)

[edit] Position

The placement of the balls, especially the cue ball, relative to the next planned shot. Same as shape.

[edit] Pot

1. (verb) Same as the word pocket (to pot a ball). It is more common in English-speaking countries outside the US, especially the UK.
2. (noun) An instance of potting a ball (it was a good pot considering the angle and distance of the shot).

[edit] Pot and tuck

A tactic employed in UK 8-ball in which a player calls and pots one of the balls in a favorably-lying set, then plays safe, leaving as many of his/her well-placed balls on the table as possible, until the opponents commits a foul or leaves a chance that the player feels warrants an attempt at running out.

[edit] Potter

A UK term for someone with little experience or understanding of the game, who may be skilled at potting individual balls but does not consider tactics such as position or safety; "he's a potter not a player." See also banger.

[edit] Potting angle

The desired angle that must be created between the path of the cue ball and the path of the object ball upon contact to pot the object ball. It is usually measured to the center of the pocket. See also aiming line.

[edit] Professional side of the pocket

To err on the side of overcutting a shot rather than undercutting; "missing on the professional side of the pocket." So called because experienced nine-ball players understand that an overcut will far more often leave the cue ball in an unfavorable position for the incoming opponent than will an undercut, as well be less likely to leave a missed object ball sitting in front of the pocket it had been intended for. [Note however that undercutting may be more advantageous when playing eight-ball, rather than nine-ball, as the incoming player cannot be shooting for the same ball (unless only the 8 ball is left on the table) and the majority of the time an undercut that misses will leave the object ball closer to the pocket, for later sinking, than will an overcut. In nine-ball this would be a grave error, but in eight-ball it is part of good strategy play.]

[edit] Push

Means either Push out or Push shot, depending on the context.

[edit] Push out

A rule in many games allowing a player to "push" the cue ball to a new position without certain foul rules applying, with the caveat that the opponent may shoot from the new cue ball position or give the shot back to the pusher who must shoot from the new position.

[edit] Push shot

Any shot where a player's cue tip stays in contact with the cue ball for more than the momentary time commensurate with a stroked shot. In the game of Snooker, it is considered a 'push' if the cue strikes the cue ball more than once in a given shot (a double hit). Again in Snooker, it is considered a 'push' if the cue and the 'ball on' are all in contact together during a shot (if the cue ball and object ball are 'frozen' together, special dispensation is given provided the cue ball is struck at a downward or other angle; that is, not directly into the line of the two balls). A push shot is a foul.

[edit] R

[edit] Race

A set number of games players agree to play to; "a race to seven" means whomever wins seven game first wins the match.

[edit] Rack (noun)

1. A geometric form, usually wooden or plastic, used to assist in setting up balls in games like 8-ball, 9-ball, and snooker. The rack allows for more consistently tight grouping of balls, which is necessary for a successful break shot. In most games a triangle-shaped rack, capable of holding 15 balls is employed, even if the game calls for racking less than a full ball set, such as in the game of 9-ball.
2. Used to refer to a racked group of balls before they have been broken.
3. In some games, refers to a single frame.

Further information: Rack (billiards)

[edit] Rack (verb)

The act of setting up the balls for a break shot. In tournament play this will be done by the referee, but in lower-level play, players either rack for themselves or for each other depending on convention.

[edit] Rail

The sides of a table's frame upon which the elastic cushions are mounted. May also be used interchangeably with cushion.

[edit] Rake

Same as mechanical bridge; so-called because of its typical shape.

[edit] Rat in

To pocket a ball by luck; "he ratted in the 9 ball"; usually employed dissaprovingly.

[edit] Red ball

1. In snooker, any of the 15 balls worth 1 point each that can be potted in any order. During the course of a break a player must first pot a red followed by a colour, and then a red and colour, etc. before the reds run out and the six colours must be cleared in their order. Potting more than one red in a single shot is not a foul – the player simply gets a point for each red potted.
2. In UK 8-ball, one of two sets of seven balls that must be potted before the eight ball.
3. In carom billiards, the ball that is neither player's cue ball.

[edit] Referee

The person in charge of the game whose primary role is to ensure adherence by both players to the appropriate rules of the game being played. Other duties of the referee include racking each frame, re-spotting balls during the course of a game, maintaining the equipment associated with the table (e.g. keeping the balls clean), controlling the crowd and, if necessary, controlling the players.

[edit] Re-rack

In snooker, the abandonment of a frame upon agreement between the players, so that the balls can be set up again and the frame restarted with no change to the score since the last completed frame. This is the result of situations, such as trading of containing safeties, where there is no foreseeable change to the pattern of shots being played, so the frame could go on indefinitely.

[edit] Re-spot

See spot (verb), sense 2.

[edit] Re-spotted black

In snooker, a situation where the scores are tied after all the balls have been potted, and the black ball is re-spotted and the first player to pot it wins. The players toss for the first shot, which must be taken with the cue ball in the D, and a safety battle will ensue until a crucial error or a fluke is made.

[edit] Rest

A name for a mechanical bridge, especially a simple one with a single straight shaft and a cross-shaped head for "resting" the cue upon.

[edit] Reverse english

Sidespin on a ball that causes it to roll unnaturally against a rail that is contacted at an angle, and deflect back at a steeper angle than if no english were used. Opposite of running english.

[edit] Ring game

1. Any game in which as many players are allowed to join as the participants choose, and anyone can quit at any time; almost always in the context of gambling.
2. A nine-ball ring game is played by more than two players and has special rules. Typically the players choose a random method for setting the order of play, with the winner breaking. Safeties are not allowed and there are two or more money balls—usually the five and nine.

[edit] Road map

A pool table spread in which the balls are easily positioned for a run out.

[edit] Road player

A highly-skilled hustler making money gambling while traveling. Fast Eddie Felson in The Hustler was a road player.

[edit] Rob

Playing an opponent for money who has no chance of winning based on disparity of skill levels.

[edit] Roll

Describes lucky or unlucky "rolls" of the cue ball; "I had good/bad rolls all night; "that was a bad roll."

[edit] Roll-up

A gentle tap of the cue ball with the intention of getting it as tight as possible behind another ball, in the hope of a snooker. It is most common in the game of snooker, and is illegal in many pool games, in which on every shot a ball must either be pocketed, or some ball must contact a cushion after the cue ball has contacted an object ball.

[edit] Round robin

A tournament format in which each contestant plays each of the other contestants at least once.

[edit] Round the angles

Describing a shot which requires one or more balls to be played off several cushions, such as an elaborate escape or a positional shot; "he'll have to send the cue ball round the angles to get good position."

[edit] Rubber match

The deciding match between two tied opponents. Compare hill, hill.

[edit] Ruckus

A UK term (especially in snooker) for the splitting of a group of balls when another ball is sent into them, typically with the intent of deliberately moving them with the cue ball to develop them.

[edit] Run

The number of balls potted in a inning (e.g. a run of five balls).

[edit] Run out

1. (verb) Make all of the required shots in a game without the opponent ever getting to the table or getting back to the table
2. (noun) An instance of running out in a game.

[edit] Run the table

Similar to run out (sense 1), but more specific to making all required shots from the start of a rack.

[edit] Running english

Sidespin on a ball that causes it to roll off a rail naturally. If angling into a rail that's on the right, then running english would be left english, and vice versa. The angle of deflection will be wider than if no english were applied to the cue ball. But more importantly, because the ball is rolling instead of sliding against the rail, the angle will be more consistent. For this reason, running english is routinely used. Opposite of reverse english.

[edit] S

[edit] Safety

1. An intentional defensive shot.
2. A shot that is called aloud as part of a game's rules; once invoked a safety usually allows the player to pocket his or her own object ball without going again for strategic purposes. In games such as seven ball, in which any shot that does not result in a pocketed ball is a foul under some rules, a safety allows the player to miss without a foul resulting.

[edit] Scratch

Pocketing of the cue ball in pocket billiards. In many games a scratch is a type of foul. Scratch is sometimes used to refer to all types of fouls. See foul.

[edit] Screw

See draw.

[edit] Seeding

The placement of player(s) automatically in a tournament where some have to qualify, or automatic placement in later rounds.

[edit] Semi-massé

A moderate curve imparted to the cue ball by an elevated hit with use of english. See swerve.

[edit] Session

One or more sets, usually in the context of gambling.

[edit] Set

A predetermined number of games, usually played for a specified sum of money. Compare race.

[edit] Sewer

A pocket, usually used in disgust when describing a scratch (e.g. the cue ball's gone down the sewer).

[edit] Shaft

The upper portion of a cue which slides on a player's bridge hand and upon which the tip of the cue is mounted at its terminus. It also applies to the main, unsegmented body of a mechanical bridge.

[edit] Shape

Similar to position; "she got good shape on the next shot".

[edit] Shark

1. Noun: A very good player. Also "sharp," especially in the UK. This usage is common among non-players who often intend it as a compliment.
2. Noun: A player that disguises his or her ability with the goal of making money from an unsuspecting mark (see fish). Also "sharp," especially in the UK. This usage is more common among actual players, and is why the above compliment is sometimes rejected.
3. Verb: To perform some act or make some utterance with the intent to distract or intimidate the opponent so that they do not perform well, miss a shot, etc. (Not employed in this sense in the UK). Most league and tournament rules forbid blatant sharking, as a form of unsportsmanlike conduct, but it is very common in bar pool.

[edit] Sharp

See shark (senses 1,2).

[edit] Short rack

Any rack composed of less than 15 balls.

[edit] Short rail

Either of the two rails on a standard pool, billiards or snooker table between the two corner pockets. Compare side rail.

[edit] Short stop

One of the best players in a region but who is not quite good enough to beat a road player or a professional.

[edit] Shot for nothing

Also shot to nothing. A UK term for a shot in which a player attempts a difficult pot but with safety in mind, so that in the event of missing the pot it is likely that the opponent will not make a meaningful contribution, and will probably have to reply with a safety. It is commonly called a shot to nothing, although the meaning is for no risk, to implying the shot comes "to nothing". Compare two-way shot.

[edit] Side

See sidespin.

[edit] Side rail

Either of the two longer rails of a billiards or pocket billiards table, bisected by a center pocket and bounded at both ends by a corner pocket. Also called a long rail.

[edit] Sidespin

Same as english; this term is often shortened to just side.

[edit] Single elimination

A tournament format in which a player is out of the tournament after one match loss.

[edit] Sink

See pocket (sense 2).

[edit] Sitter

A UK term with the same meaning as duck and stemming from the same obvious etymology.

[edit] Skid

Phenomenon where the cue ball contacts the object ball right on a chalk mark and causes it to take a staighter angle than normal. Experienced observers can see that a skid occurred because the object ball moves oddly, lightly skipping. One of the only uncontrollable factors that can stop otherwise perfect play. "That ball skidded, did you see that?" Also known as cling or kick (UK).

[edit] Slate

The heavy, finely-milled rock (slate) that forms the bed of the table, beneath the cloth.

[edit] Slide

Describes a cue ball sliding on the cloth without any topspin or backspin on it.

[edit] Slip Stroke

A stroking technique in which a player release his gripping hand briefly and re-grasps the cue farther back on the butt just before hitting the cue ball.

[edit] Slop

1. A luck shot.
2. Any game where the rules have been varied to allow luck shots not normally allowed or where no foul rules apply.

[edit] Small, smalls, small ones, small balls

In eight-ball, to be shooting the solid "suit" of balls (1 through 7); "you're the small one" or "I've got the smalls". Compare "little", solids, low"; contrast "big".

[edit] Sneaky pete

Any two-piece cue constructed to resemble a house cue.

[edit] Snick

A UK term for a pot that requires very fine contact between cue ball and object ball.

[edit] Snooker

1. (noun) The game of snooker.
2. (verb) To leave the opponent so that a certain shot on a preferred object ball cannot be played directly in a straight line by normal cueing. It most commonly means that the object ball cannot be hit, because it is hidden by another ball or, more rarely, the knuckle of a pocket (see corner-hooked). It can also refer to the potting angle or another significant point of contact on the object ball, blocking an otherwise more straightforward shot, even if an edge can be seen. A common related adjective describing a player in this situation is snookered. Also called hook, for which the corresponding adjective hooked is also common. See also free ball.
3. (noun) An instance of this situation (e.g. she's put him in a difficult snooker). A player can choose a range of shots to get out of a snooker, usually a kick shot will be implemented but semi-massés are often preferred, and in games where it is not a foul, jump shots may be employed that often yield good results for skilled players. Also called hook.

[edit] Snookers required

A phrase used in snooker to describe the scenario whereby there are not enough available points on the table to level the scores for the frame, therefore the trailing player needs his/her opponent to foul in order to be able to make up the deficit. The name comes from the fact that this would normally have to be achieved by placing the leading player in foul-prone situations such as difficult snookers.

[edit] Solids

The non-striped balls of a 15 ball set that are numbered one through seven and have a solid color scheme. Compare low, small, little, spots, dots; contrast stripes.

[edit] Speed

A player's skill level.

[edit] Speed control

Use of the correct amount of cue ball speed to achieve proper position for a subsequent shot.

[edit] Spider

A modified mechanical bridge with longer legs supporting the head so that the cue is higher and can reach over an obstructing ball in front of the cue ball. See also swan.

[edit] Split

In pool, the degree to which the balls move apart upon impact by the cue ball as a result of a break shot.

[edit] Spot (noun)

1. In pool games such as 9-ball, a specific handicap given (e.g., "what spot will you give me?").
2. In snooker, any of the six designated points on the table on which a colour ball is replaced after it has left the playing surface (usually after it has been potted).
3. In UK eight ball, any of the seven balls that are a solid colour with just a circled number on the surface; also called "dots." In the US, these balls are referred to as solids or more colloquially as lows, littles or smalls.

[edit] Spot (verb)

1. In pool, return an illegally pocketed object ball to the table by placement on the foot spot.
2. In snooker, return a colour ball to its designated spot on the table. Also called re-spot.
3. In 9-ball, the giving of a handicap to the opponent where they can also win by making a ball or balls other than the 9 ball (e.g. "she spotted me the seven ball").
4. In 8 ball, one-pocket and straight pool, the giving of a handicap to the opponent where they have to make less balls than their opponent does.

[edit] Spot shot

The situation arising in many pool games where a ball is spotted to the table's foot spot and the cue ball must be shot from the kitchen.

[edit] Squeeze shot

A type of combination that can be played when the second object ball is frozen to the first and lined up at one of the knuckles of the target pocket. It can normally be pocketed by hitting the first object ball on the same side as the knuckle and second object ball at a medium to hard pace. It is a somewhat counterintuitive shot because if there is the slighest gap between the two object balls the only way to pocket the second would be to hit the opposite side. The phenomenon occurs as a result of throw.

[edit] Squirt

See deflection.

[edit] Stake/stakehorse

To provide part or all of the money for a gambling session in which one is not a participant. Synonymous with "back." A person who stakes or backs a player is called a stakehorse or backer.^[1]

[edit] Stall

To intentionally hide one's speed; "he's on the stall."

[edit] Stance

A shooter's body position and posture during a shot. See also cue action.

[edit] Stay shot

In the UK, a long-distance shot played to pot a ball close to a pocket with heavy topspin, so that when the cue ball hits the cushion it bounces off but then stops due to the counteraction of the spin. It is not common in competitive play, being more of an exhibition shot.

[edit] Steering

The lamentable practice of not following through with the cue straight, but veering off in the direction of the shot's travel or the side english is applied, away from the proper aiming line; a common source of missed shots.

[edit] Stick

See cue.

[edit] Stop shot

Any shot where the cue ball stops immediately after hitting an object ball.

[edit] Straight up

To play even; without a handicap. Also called heads up.

[edit] Stripes

A US term for the balls of a 15 ball set that are numbered nine through fifteen and have a wide colored bar around the middle.

[edit] Stroke

1. The motion of the cue stick and the player's arm on a shot;
2. The strength, fluidity and finesse of a player's shooting technique; "she has a good stroke."

[edit] Stroke, catch a

To suddenly be in stroke after poor prior play; "she caught a stroke."

[edit] Stroke, to be in

Pocketing easily and controlling the cue ball well; "he's in stroke."

[edit] Stun run-through

A shot played with stun, but not quite enough to completely stop the cue ball, allowing for a little follow. It is played so that a follow shot can be controlled more reliably, with a firmer strike than for a slow roll. It is widely considered as one of the most difficult shots in the game to master, but an excellent weapon in a player's armory once it has been.

[edit] Stun shot

A shot where the cue ball has no topspin or backspin on it when it impacts an object ball, and "stuns" out along the tangent line. Commonly shortened to just "stun."

[edit] Sucker shot

A shot that only a novice or fool would take. Usually because it is a guaranteed scratch or because it has a low percentage of being pocketed and is likely to leave the opponent in good position.

[edit] Suit

A (principally American) term in eight-ball for either of the set of seven balls (stripes or solids) that must be cleared before sinking the 8 ball. Borrowed from card games. Generally used in the generic, especially in rulesets or articles, rather than colloquially by players.

[edit] Swan

A type of modified mechanical bridge, similar to a spider in that the head is raised by longer supporting legs, but instead of a selection of grooves on the top for the cue to rest in there is only one, on the end of an overhanging neck, so that a player can get to the cue ball more easily if the path is blocked by two or more obstructing balls.

[edit] Sweaters

Those who are stakehorsing a match or have side bets on it and are "sweating the action."

[edit] Swerve

1. An unintentional and often imperceptible curve imparted to a cue ball from the use of english without a level cue.
2. Sometimes used interchangeably with semi-massé.

[edit] T

[edit] Table cloth

See cloth.

[edit] Tangent line

The imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the impact line between the cue ball and an object ball. The cue ball will travel along this line after impact with an object ball if it has no vertical spin on it (is sliding) at the moment of impact on a non-center-to-center collision. See stun or stun shot.

[edit] Thin

See overcut.

[edit] Throw

The normal phenomenon where the object ball is pushed in a direction very slightly off of the pure contact angle between the two balls. Caused by the friction imparted by the first ball sliding past or rotating against the other ball.

[edit] Tickie

A common shot in carom games. The cue ball is driven first to a rail, then hits an object ball and kisses back to the same rail.

[edit] Tight

Describing a situation where a pot is made more difficult, either by a pocket being partially blocked by another ball so that not all of it is available, or the cue ball path to the object ball's potting angle involves going past another ball very closely.

[edit] Time shot

Any shot in which the cue ball moves another ball into a different position and then rebounds from one or more rails to contact it again (normally sending it into a pocket or making a billiard).

[edit] Timing

The ease with which a player is generating cue power, due to well-timed acceleration of the cue at the appropriate point in a shot.

[edit] Tip

See cue tip.

[edit] Tittie

The points formed by the corner edges of a table's pockets.

[edit] Tittie hooked

Same as corner hooked.

[edit] Top cushion

In snooker, the cushion at the end the reds are racked, nearest the black spot, in an area where most of the game should be played.

[edit] Topspin

The forward rotation of the cue ball that results from a follow shot. Also called follow.

[edit] Total clearance

A term used in snooker for the potting of all the balls that are racked at the beginning of the frame in a single break. The minimum total clearance affords 72 points. See also maximum.

[edit] Total snooker

In UK 8-ball world rules, a situation where the player cannot see any of the balls she/he wants to hit due to obstruction by other balls or the knuckle of a pocket. The player must call "total snooker" to the referee, which allows a dispensation to the player from having to hit a cushion after contacting the object ball, which is otherwise a foul.

[edit] Touching ball

In snooker, where the cue ball is resting in contact with another ball. If this ball is a ball that may legally be hit, then it is allowable to simply hit away from it and it counts as having hit it in the shot. If the ball moves, then a push shot must have occurred, in which case it is a foul.

[edit] Triangle

Form of rack that is triangle-shaped, used in games that start the object balls. There are different types of triangle for different games, the smallest being employed in UK 8-ball and a larger triangle being used in American 8-ball and snooker (because of the different ball sizes).

Further information: Rack (billiards)

[edit] Trick shot

An exhibition shot designed to impress either by a player's skill or knowledge of how to set the balls up and take advantage of the angles of the table; usually a combination of both. A trick shot may involve items otherwise never seen during the course of a game, such as bottles, baskets, etc., and even members of the audience being placed on or around the table.

[edit] Two-shot carry

A rule in UK 8-ball whereby after the opponent has conceded two shots, if the player pots on the first go he is still allowed to miss in a later shot and have the second shot in hand—even on the eight ball. Many local rules state the two shots are lost if a ball is potted on the first shot, or it is only ever one shot on the eight ball (even if a player pots other balls without missing before it), but two-shot carry is a world rule. Also called "two visits."

[edit] Two shots

A penalty conceded by a player after a foul. The opponent is then allowed to miss twice before the player is allowed another visit. See two-shot carry for more detail on sub-rules.

[edit] Two visits

See two shots.

[edit] Two-way shot

1. A shot in which if the target is missed, the opponent is safe or will not have a desirable shot;
2. A shot in which there are two ways to score;
3. A shot in which a second ball is targeted to be pocketed, broken out of a cluster, repositioned or some other secondary goal is also intended.

[edit] U

[edit] Umbrella shot

A three cushion billiards shot in which the cue ball first strikes two cushions before hitting the first object ball then hits a third cushion before hitting the second object ball. So called because the shot opens up like an umbrella after hitting the third rail. Umbrella shots may be classified as inside or outside depending on which side of the first object the cue ball contacts.

[edit] Undercut

Hitting the object ball with not enough of a cut angle; hitting the object ball too full or "fat". It is a well-known maxim that overcutting is preferable to undercutting. See professional side of the pocket.

[edit] V

[edit] Velcro

A UK term describing when a ball is tight on the cushion and a player sends the cue ball to hit both the object ball and the rail at nearly the same time; the object ball, ideally, stays tight to the rail and is thus "velcroed" to the rail. Running english is often employed to achieve this effect, hitting slightly before the ball. Velcroing is also called hugging the rail in the UK, which is the main expression used to describe this effect in the US.

[edit] Visit

One of the alternating turns players are allowed at the table, before a shot is played that concedes a visit to his/her opponent (e.g. he cleared up in one visit).

[edit] W

[edit] Warrior, a

A ball positioned near a pocket so that a particularly positioned object ball shot at that pocket will likely go in off it, even if aimed so imperfectly that if the warrior was absent, the shot would likely result in a miss. Usually arises when a ball is being banked to a pocket.

[edit] Way

1. Term for object balls in the game of Chicago that are each assigned as having a set money value; typically the 5, 8, 10, 13 and 15.
2. In games where multiple balls must be pocketed in succession to score a point, such as Cribbage or 30-ball, when the last ball necessary to score has been potted, the points given is referred to as a way.

[edit] Weight

To "give someone weight" is to give them a handicap so the game is more even in skill level.

[edit] White ball

Alternate name for the cue ball.

[edit] Whitey

Alternate name for the cue ball.

[edit] Wild

When a ball is given as a handicap it often must be called (generally tacit). A wild handicap means the ball can be made in any manner specifically without being called.

[edit] Wing ball

Either of the balls on the lateral extremities of the 9-ball diamond, when in position in a rack. It is seen as a reliable sign of a good break (which is normally taken from close to either cushion in the kitchen) if the opposite wing ball is pocketed.

[edit] Wing shot

Shooting at an object ball that is already in motion at the moment of shooting and cue ball impact; illegal in most games and usually only seen in exhibition/trick shots.

[edit] Wipe its feet

UK term referring to the metaphorical base or "feet" of a ball that rattles in the jaws of a pocket before eventually dropping. Usually said of a ball for which the intention was to pot it.

[edit] Wired

When two ball are or are close to frozen and lined up for a pocket such that contact on the first ball, without the necessity of great accuracy, will almost certainly pocket the second ball.

[edit] Wire, the

1. The grapevine in the pool world — what action is taking place where in the country.
2. Actual wire with multiple beads strung (like an abacus) used for keeping score. Points "on the wire" are a type of handicap used, where a weaker player will be given a certain number of points before the start of the game.

[edit] Wood

A slang term for a cue, usually in the phrase piece of wood (e.g. that's a nice piece of wood).

[edit] Wrap

The area of the butt of a cue where the person grips often covered with leather, nylon string, or Irish linen.

[edit] Y

[edit] Yellow ball

1. In snooker, the lowest-value colour ball on the table, being worth two points. It is one of the baulk colours.
2. In UK 8-ball, one of two sets of seven balls to be potted before the black.

[edit] Yellow pocket

In snooker, the pocket nearest the yellow spot.

[edit] References