Pool Players Glossary Rod's Home Edited: 03-19-13 15:21
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Approaching the cue ball with your cue stick.
Jump shot or hop shot. Down and through is legal; scooping is not.
Direction of cue stick in shooting the shot relative to imaginary line from
contact point of the cue ball through the object ball to the intended pocket. Infinite varying degrees contacting the rail with cue ball (kick)
or object ball (bank). For every incoming angle there is a
symmetric outgoing angle. Exceptions: shooting hard shortens the
angle; shooting slow widens the angle; rain or humidity shortens the angle;
high english goes long; draw english shortens up.
"Slide" the cue ball such that it has low english most of the way to
the object ball but just before contact, gravity kicks in, the low english
energy is lost and then the cue ball rolls forward the rest of the way. This is
a good stroke to know when the table is not level.
As in call shot, you only need to call the object ball and the pocket in which
you intend to make the ball.
Usually occurs after a foul such that the opponent may position the cue ball
anyplace on the pool table.
Rebound of an object ball from a cushion.
Shooting the cue ball into an object ball causing same to go to the cushion and
then rebounding toward a pocket.
Hitting a ball to full (under-cut) and driving it into the rail. When
shooting slow or when rainy or humid weather, you must hit the object ball
thinner to allow for the dreaded "skid."
Flat surface of the table covered with cloth on which the balls are played.
To glance off one ball and pocketing another. (carom, kiss, etc) See
"carom."
Opening shot of the game.
After pocketing one ball, you control the cue ball such that you disturb or
rearrange a cluster of balls to a more favorable position.
Positioning of one hand onto the bed of the table for stability and to guide
the shaft of the cue stick.
Slang for the break; another is on the "snap."
Lower, bigger end of the cue stick; toward the end where the cue stick is
gripped.
Call the ball and the pocket.
To glance off one ball and pocketing another. (billiard, kiss, etc) See
"billiard."
No english; striking the cue ball in the center.
Substance used to maintain friction between the cue tip and the cue ball so
that you don't miscue.
For position sake and control of the cue ball, you only use part of the pocket when
pocketing the object ball.
Shooting into the rail at an angle of approximately 30 degrees, with high
inside english with a medium stroke will cause the cue ball to hop over
multiple balls and the side pocket before it comes back down to the bed to make
a ball in the corner pocket.
Treat the cue ball like a clock when applying english. i.e., low right english
would be 4 or 5 O'clock (most good pool players initially address the cue ball
at low right. 90 percent of my strokes are from 4 to 8 O'clock.
Balls tied up and not in a very good position for pocketing.
Causing two or more object balls to be contacted before pocketing.
Where you must strike the object ball in order to pocket same.
You are behind a corner of a pocket such that there is no clear path between
the cue ball and the object ball.
An easy shot.
The mechanical bridge.
The white ball controlled by the tip of the cue stick.
Also known as a "pool cue" is the implement used in striking the cue
ball.
Leather on the small end of the cue stick to control the cue ball.
With a firm stroke, imparting english by shooting down on one side of the cue
ball causing it to curve around another ball to pocket the object ball. Also
known as "masse'" or "bend" the cue ball.
Rubber lining inside the rails for rebounding action with respect to position
and bank shots; used synonymously with the "rail."
Striking the object ball on one side or the other with the cue ball. "Cut
em thin to win."
Easy shot already lined to a pocket.
Shooting flawlessly; unbeatable; also known as "in dead punch," "in
stroke," or "in the zone."
To veer or deviate from line of aim. For 100 years, cue makers have tried different
designs to minimize deflection. For me it's easy; just play with a bigger ball.
I only play with the original 2 3/8" bar table cue ball and thus,
deflection is minimized.
Inlays or dots on the rails used as reference in making bank shots, kick shots
or playing position off the cushions.
When you miss a shot due to pressure (choke).
Imparting extreme top spin (hard level stroke at 12 O'clock) onto the cue ball
such that after banking an object ball that is close to the rail, the cue ball
goes through that object ball as full as possible yet avoid the double-kiss,
thus banking the shot with the cue ball coming away from and re-striking the
rail numerous times before pocketing another ball in the corner pocket. The top
spin does not allow the cue ball to come very far off the rail. Also known as
the "basketball" shot or "hugging the rail."
With minimum velocity and maximum side spin, you cause the cue ball to contact
the same object ball twice (ball, rail, ball) before pocketing. I taught this
shot to Little David (the Lion Killer) Howard on a bar table when he was a kid
and he in turned taught same to Mike Sigel, another great pool player. I still challenge all comers on the double-kiss
shot. Set up the same, on a big table with the light cue ball, you can only move the object ball
a few inches. In a Las Vegas tournament, with a new cloth, I made two
double-kiss shots over 3 feet (the entire width of the table from corner pocket
to corner pocket with the object ball about 1-inch off the end rail; "nothing but
net." Of course you need the original big bar table cue ball.
Low english (hard stroke through 6 O'clock) on the cue ball to cause it to back
up (like a yo-yo) after contact with the object ball. Willie Mosconi and
most pool instructors say in order to draw the cue ball, strike the cue ball one
cue tip below center. I draw the cue ball by striking the cue ball 2 1/2
cue tips below center. In high humidity, I either stay at home or fade a
lot of miscues.
Lose a game on purpose.
Treating the cue ball like a clock, depending where you strike the cue ball
determines the spin or english (high, low, right, left, and varying degrees in
between). Conversely, center ball results in no spin or no english.
90% of my shots are at 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 O'clock where 1/2 of my cue tip is on the
number and the other half is in space. i.e., 2 1/2 cue tips from the
center of the cue ball
To "fan" or "feather" is to thin-hit the object ball with outside
spin on the cue ball with a hard stroke such that you actually allow for
deflection by aiming to miss the whole ball but the cue ball veers to the
inside to make proper contact. "Hit em thin, you shoot again."
Approximately 1" piece of ivory, fiber or strong plastic surrounding the
shaft at the tip to prevent the shaft from splitting when absorbing a hard hit. No capped ferrules; I prefer both the ferrule and the shaft wood to make
contact with the tip and glued securely. I use a 13.5 mm tip with a pro tapered
shaft.
One who loses on purpose and does not play up to one's capability in hopes of
luring an unsuspecting customer.
To follow is to impart top spin by striking the cue ball near 12 O'clock with a
level stroke
Instead of striking at the cue ball, you stroke through the cue ball on the
same plain. All the other pool players I know shoot from a fulcrum point at the
elbow with a follow-through of 10-15". I shoot from the shoulder and when
I'm in stroke, I follow-through so much that my stroking right hand touches my
bridge hand such that the Irish linen scrapes up the knuckle of my left thumb.
That's a follow-through of about 4 feet.
The end of the table on which you rack the balls.
With a hard stoke through the cue ball center causing the cue ball to thrust
forward after making contact with an object ball without using top spin. Force
= Mass x Acceleration. The Laws of Physics teach us that the greater the mass,
the greater the force. Another time where the bigger cue ball proves superior
in accomplishing this objective. The big cue ball will always roll farther
and spin longer than the little cue ball.
Shooting down and through with a hard stroke forcing the cue ball through
object ball) before the back spin takes and comes back. This is
accomplished best with the big cue ball. With the little cue ball, it is
more like a hop forward before the back spin takes.
Infraction of the rules. Touching the cue ball at address is a foul.
Making contact with the cue ball more than once on the same stroke.
Accelerating your speed of stroke after contacting the cue ball.
Playing under no pressure.
When a ball is touching another ball or when a ball is touching a cushion.
Note: a ball touching a cushion is not considered frozen unless declared
beforehand by the referee or by the opponent.
Balance point of a cue stick; fixed point from which a pendulum swings
(swinging motion of your stroking hand).
Causing the cue ball to contact the object ball straight-on. Cue ball
superimposes and displaces the whole object ball.
Slang for a favorable circumstance.
Where you hold the cue stick with the stroking hand.
An easy shot.
End of the table having the manufacturer's name-plate and the end from which
one breaks the balls to start the game.
Imaginary line fixed across the width of the table at the 2nd diamonds from the
head of the table. Most play the base of the cue ball within that imaginary
line relative to the head of the table.
A competitive attitude.
Contact point. "Nice hit" implies, "good shot."
Slowing down the speed of the cue ball by using extreme english (inside spin)
after making object ball and contacting a rail. Also known as "kill"
english. I like to "kill" the path of the cue off two rails.
Also, "hop and follow' and "hop and stop." Causing the cue ball
to jump up and/or over an object ball before the respective spin takes for draw,
follow or very little spin to bounce and stop the cue ball.
Shooting down and through the cue ball with a hard stroke causing the cue ball
to bounce over object ball/s in attempt of pocketing an unseeable object ball.
See "double-dribble" or "force follow."
A pool player who eagerly looks for competition. One who throws off until the
stakes get bigger.
Your mind's eye or an educated guess as to where to contact an object ball, or
where to aim the cue ball.
A turn at the table.
Slang for the pool balls. The balls use to be made of ivory. Ivory balls or
ivory ferrules will not maintain original shape after being "pounded"
over time on the pool table. i.e., ivory will not hold up under a powerful
stroke.
Ball hit the inside edges of the cushion adjacent to the pocket but if stroked
too hard or the perpendicularity angle of the edges can disallowed pocketing.
The pockets get even tighter under humid or rainy atmospheric conditions.
A favorable or lucky roll.
The connector of the butt and the shaft on two-piece cues.
See "hop shot."
Causing the cue ball to strike a cushion and then rebounding from that cushion
to pocket an object ball. Up to three rails are natural running english angles.
I like kicking with "kill" english and still challenge all comers 4
rails or more. You must see my 6 and 7-rail kick-ins.
Extreme inside english on the cue ball to subdue its energy of velocity after
contacting an object ball and a rail, respectively. Also see "hold"
english."
Same as for "billiard" or "carom."
A person who interferes with or breaks up another's game.
Trying to control your speed on the cue ball or the object ball. When lagging
for the break, trying to make the cue ball come to rest as close as you can to
the head rail after rebounding from the foot rail.
Defense such that your opponent has a tough, or no shot. See
"safety."
Not trying to play your best. Stalling.
The position of the balls on the pool table.
The wrap near the butt end of a two-piece cue stick.
An imaginary line extending from the shaft of the cue to the contact point of
the object ball.
A sure-win situation; one looking for a cinch game. Also known as a
"locksmith."
The rebound angle from the cushion is increased. In this context,
"long" and "wide" are synonymous.
With a firm stroke, imparting english by shooting down on one side of the cue
ball causing it to curve around another ball to pocket the object ball. Same as
"curve" or "bend" the cue ball.
or masse'-follow; extremely hard stroke down and through the cue ball combining
the curve shot and the respective spin shots. I pulled a dandy masse'-draw to
beat Ronnie Allen in Colorado Springs in the late 70s. The path of the cue
ball formed a circle. Remind me to set it up for you.
An aid in reaching long shots. Also called a "rake" or
"crutch."
When the cue tip slides off the cue ball and makes a funny sound due to
decreased amount of friction or a faulty stroke. I use more english than most
pool players so I miscue a lot when it rains or under humid conditions.
Failure to pocket a ball on a legal stroke.
Usually used when the cue ball is very close to the object ball so that you can
draw the cue ball back and reduce chances of a foul. Also known as "pinch
draw."
Level center-ball stroke.
The ball contacted to be pocketed, to cause pocketing or from which to play a
safety.
A shot already lined up toward a pocket. Also see "dead." He's
"on" means he is "in stroke."
Path relative to a fixed (fulcrum) point (usually from the elbow joint). See
"fulcrum."
Extreme masse', curve or U-turn with the cue ball. See "masse'-draw."
Straight path of the cue stick going through the cue ball.
A competitive professional pool player.
Causing a ball to fall into any of the 6 pockets.
Pocket billiards having 6 pockets.
One that is knowledgeable on who's who in the pool world.
Controlling the cue ball such that you never have a hard shot.
That's me! Shooting from the fulcrum point at the shoulder.
There are many misnomers regarding the push shot. A push shot is legal if
executed in one continuous stroke. If the space between the cue ball and object
ball increases after the stroke, it's a good shot. If the cue ball stays the
course with, or passes the object ball, it is a foul stroke.
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Triangle used to organize the balls before the start of the game.
Used here synonymously with "cushion."
Top spin. See "follow."
Shooting the lowest numbered balls first; i.e., 1-ball, 2-ball, ..., 15-ball. The
game of "rotation" (also called "French" pool) is where
after shooting the balls in chronological order, all balls pocketed count and
you total up the numbered balls and must score greater than 60 to win the game.
Pocketing all of the balls during an inning at the table.
Spin such that after contact with the cushion, the angle of the rebounding cue
ball is increased and is said to go "long."
Defensive strategy such that the opponent is left with a difficult shot.
Pocketing the cue ball; a no, no.
Having an easy shot or run. See "position" play."
The upper smaller portion of the cue stick guided by the bridge hand.
Same as "position."
An expert pool player.
An unethical move in attempts to distract the shooter's attention or break
his/her concentration.
Playing extremely well; synonymous with "in dead stroke."
Person at the table. Also means a good player.
The rebounding angle from the cushion is less than the ingoing angle. Remember,
low english and a hard stroke causes angle to decrease or shorten up; easy or
high english causes the angle to go long (off the cushion).
or "turn" is when shooting easy to cut a ball, the object ball has a
tendency to go in the same direction as the cue ball before it cuts to the
proper angle. Humidity increases the susceptibility of this case. From a linear
algebra perspective, the path of the cue ball is a vector with direction and
magnitude. The contact point through to the pocket is another vector with
direction and magnitude. When shooting slow, sometimes more noticeable than
others, there exists a resulting vector that splits the difference between the
other two, thus hitting the object ball too full.
Bed of the pool table under the cloth.
Same as a "thin" cut.
See "backspin lag."
After the address, before the stroke, the stroking hand slips back toward the
butt end a few inches on the final back stroke, then grips and moves the stick
forward. This technique allows for a bigger arc and greater acceleration.
As a
professional, I used a big slip stroke. To be proficient, you must play all the
time. Now, I only play when invited by friend a few hours per month or
when a road player comes through. I no longer use the slip stroke because
I can't put in the time it takes to master same.
Not trying to play your best. Not trying to win the game.
Behind a ball such that there is no clear path from the cue ball to the object
ball.
Same as "side english" (stroking through the cue ball at 3 or 9
O'clock.
or "split the wicket" means hitting the shot so pure (middle of the
pocket) it touches nothing going in.
Where you rack the balls at the beginning of each game. To place the ball on
the designated dot at the intersection of the middle diamonds relative to the
bottom half of the pool table. Reminds me of a spot shot where you pocket the
object ball from the head string by shooting as easy as possible and the cue
ball does not hit a rail nor scratches. The line is 7 attempts. Then shooting
the same spot shot as hard as you can without the cue ball hitting a rail and
without scratching and without hopping the table. The line for the latter is
15. I'll give or take the line and cover all bets.
Not trying to play your best.
Foot position and weight distribution of your body at the table. My foot
placement relative to the line of aim is approximately 45 degrees with flexed
knees.
With a medium level stroke, striking the cue ball in the middle (no english)
causing the cue ball to be motionless after contact with a full object ball.
Execution of the cue stick going through the cue ball.
90 degree cut.
When two object balls are less than 1/4" apart and almost lined up to a
pocket, it is possible to alter their direction by shooting easy and hitting
the opposite side of the ball you would hit to cut same in, thus
"throwing" the ball into the pocket. i.e., if the ball is lined up
slightly to the left, hit the left side of the first object ball with slow
speed, just hard enough to drive the combo ball to the pocket. Speed control is
important. I can teach and you can learn geometry but you must "feel"
the correct speed control.
Leather on the small end of the cue stick that is contacted by the cue ball.
For every force there exists an opposite and equal force so I use hard Le Pro
tips. I put on my own tips because machines and sanding against the grain will
weaken the fiber and ruin the tip. Down and around is the key when sanding a
tip into shape.
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Used synonymously with "deflection."
Direction, velocity and force with respect to the contact relationship between
the cue ball and object ball.
The extreme is to force the cue ball sideways for position when you have a
straight-in shot. By cheating the pocket and shooting very hard with a level
stroke one cue tip to the left or right of center-ball, will cause actual
deflection of the cue ball to the opposite side of the slight english, thus,
accomplishing the desired position for the next ball.
Slang for the cue ball.
Used in trick shot exhibitions where you shoot object balls in while they are
moving.
Usually linen around the cue between the balance point and the butt end to
offer a more secure gripping area.
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