Billiards Vault

Vocabulary, Slang and Definitions

25 Random Essential Billiards Terms

This is a shot where the cue ball contacts an object ball and moves it along a path, but because the cue ball is still in motion it re-contacts the object ball and pushes it in the pocket after it stops.
Side spin on the cue ball that causes it to roll off a cushion (contacted at an angle) with rather than against the ball's natural momentum and direction of travel. If angling into a rail that is 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. Also called running side in British terminology. Contrast reverse english.
Same as center spot.
This is a fine powdery substance used to assist the sliding of the cue over the hand bridge.
This is a shot in snooker where the cue ball follows a struck object into the pocket.
Same as duck. Derives from an easily shot ball "hanging" in the pocket.
A common way to keep track of games won when playing for small money is to use a coin that is placed under the rail next to the diamonds on the rail. The center diamond at the head of the table is taken as zero, and each diamond from that is considered to be one game. To go 'around the world' is to beat your opponent so badly that the coin travels all the way around the diamonds on the table.
Any system for banking or kicking balls multiple rails which uses table diamonds as aiming references.
To fail to make a legal shot.
This is to watch a match with such intensity that there is worry, usually because of a wager on the game.
All-Africa Pool Association. The AAPA is a member of the WPA.
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.
Describes the propensity of a player losing small sums of money at gambling to suddenly sharply increase the stakes; often continuing to lose until broke. Compare Chasing one's money.
Same as stripes, in New Zealand. Compare yellows, high, big ones; contrast unders.
The person who is a provider of all or part of a player's stake (money) for a gambling session in which one is not a player.
Short for right english (side), i.e. side spin imparted to the cue ball by stroking it to the right-hand side of its vertical axis. Contrast left.
Chiefly British. This is a shot in a snooker game where the first object ball hit contacts another object ball and the second one is pocketed. If both of the balls are red, or if the second ball would be on if the first ball had not been deemed free then it is an allowed shot.
The ball meant to be struck and sunk in your called shot.
The angle from which a ball rebounds from a rail, as measured from the perpendicular to the rail.
A term used to indicate balls that are frozen, or close enough that no matter from which angle they are hit from the combination will send the outer ball the same direction. "Are the 2 and 7 pointing at the corner?? Okay, I'll use that duck to get position way over there."
Either of the balls on the lateral extremities of a racked set of balls in position for a break shot; the two balls at the outside of a 15-ball rack in the back row, or the balls to the left and right of the 9 ball in nine-ball's diamond rack-shaped opening set up position. In nine-ball 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.
Accidentally causing the cue ball or any object ball to leave the table. It is normally a foul.
Asian Pocket Billiard Union. The APBU is a member of the WPA.
Same as mechanical bridge; so-called because of its typical shape.
The horizontal plane directly in the center of the cue ball, which when hit exactly by the cue tip should impart no follow or draw.