Definition of 5 pin

The object ball involved in a key shot.

When you hit the object ball you are aiming for (or the manditory next ball) without the cue ball hitting other object balls first.

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

To contact the chosen object ball in such a way to make it bank off a rail before being pocketed.

When a successful non penalized break is achieved which gives the object balls a broad spread on the table.

This is to watch a match with such intensity that there is worry, usually because of a wager on the game.

The Billiards World Cup Association. The Billiards World Cup Association (BWA) was a governing body for carom billiards, like its competitor and successor, Union Mondiale de Billard. After staging several three-cushion billiards championships, BWA met its demise in 2004 due to financial problems and failing relations with the UMB, leaving the latter as the only carom governing body.

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.

The Equalizer Handicap System is the handicap system developed by the American Poolplayers Association. It makes it feasible for a beginner to have a nearly equal chance in a match against a more highly skilled player.

Also striped ones, striped balls. The ball suit (group) of a fifteen ball set that are numbered 9 through 15 and have a wide colored bar around the middle. Compare bigs, highs, yellows, overs; contrast solids.

This term is much like rain table and refers to a table is playing soggy due to humid conditions.

Also bar rules, pub pool, tavern pool. Pool, almost always a variant of eight-ball, that is played by bar players on a bar table. Bar pool has rules that vary from region to region, sometimes even from venue to venue in the same city, especially in the U.S. Wise players thus ensure understanding of and agreement to the 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 (with numbered ball sets) the requirement that most aspects of a shot be called (including cushions and other object balls to be contacted) not just the target 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 international, national or local/regional league rules, and is not what is usually meant by "bar pool".

The precise center of the pool table.

Chiefly American: The short rail at the head of the table. Traditionally this is the rail on which the table manufacturer's logo appears. Compare bottom rail, baulk rail; contrast foot rail.

When the object ball banked of a rail goes directly in a pocket without kissing or touching any other object balls.

Cut Throat is a game of pocket billiards created to support three or five players. Balls are assigned to each player, and the purpose is to sink all the opponent's balls first to eliminate the other players.

This is when a mistake is made in the shot and the resulting contact between balls forces you to miss the shot.

A type of rest, with a straight shaft and "x"-shaped head for resting the cue upon.

Chiefly British: The rail at the Top of the table. Compare foot rail; contrast Bottom rail.

This is a ball that is positioned near your pocket that can be used to kiss off of when sinking another object ball.

This is when it is necessary to change a set handicap after play indicates it favors one player more than the other.

Basic cue tip contact points on the cue ball to impart various forms of spin. Top spin is also known as follow, side spin as english, and bottom spin as back spin, draw or screw.Rotational motion applied to a ball, especially to the cue ball by the tip of the cue, although if the cue ball is itself rotating it will impart (opposite) spin (in a lesser amount) to a contacted object ball. Types of spin include top spin, bottom or back spin (also known as draw or screw), and left and right side spin, all with widely differing and vital effects. Collectively they are often referred to in American English as "english". See also massé.

Often times a protective finish is applied to a cue stick after construction. A UV polyurethane is common, and this helps to protect the cue from fading and dings.

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