Billiards Vault

Definition of Sink

When you have completed a shot by pocketing a ball into a pocket.

24 Random Essential Billiards Terms

This is an object sometimes placed underneath the cue tip.
A Carom game with lines drawn to form rectangles that restrict play and reduce the potential for high runs.
A tournament format in which a player must lose two matches in order to be eliminated.
A directional pile created by the short fuzzy ends of fibers on the surface of cloth projecting upward from the lie and which create a favorable and unfavorable direction for rolling balls. The convention in most billiards games in which directional nap cloth is used is to brush the cloth along the table in the same direction of the nap, usually from the end that a player breaks. In snooker and UK eight-ball especially, 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." When nap is used in relation to woven cloths that have no directional pile, such as those typically used in the U.S. for pool tables, the term simply refers to the fuzziness of the cloth.
This refers to the distance of deflection that the ball comes off of the cue stick after a hit is applied with side spin on it.
This describes a shot in snooker where the cue contacts more than one object ball.
This is the International Billiards and Snooker Federation. This organization governs non-professional snooker and billiards play all over the world.
Chiefly American: The cushion on the head rail. Compare bottom cushion; contrast foot cushion.
Making all of the required shots in a game (rack) without the opponent ever getting to the table or getting back to the table.
See overcut.
A slang term for a cue, usually used with "piece", as in "that's a nice piece of wood".
Accidentally causing the cue ball or any object ball to leave the table. It is normally a foul.
In snooker, any of the three colour balls that get spotted on the baulk line: the yellow, green or brown ball.
This is a toned down masse shot. The cue is elevated a little and will curve a little in the direction the spin is applied. This is used to sneak around difficult shots.
Three equally spaced diamonds are normally between each pocket on a pool table. On a carom table, the pockets themselves are replaced by additional diamonds. Diamonds get their name from the shape of the markings traditionally used; though many today are round, square, etc., these rail markings are still referred to as "diamonds".
A specific way of holding the shaft in your hand. The closed hand bridge is a hand bridge where the index finger wraps over the cue stick for control.
Exact opposite of fast, all senses.
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.
This refers to the cluster of balls remaining in a similar position to where they were within the break
This is to intentionally foul by slightly moving the ball, or playing another type of illegally defensive shot in a game where the ball is just turned over to the other player. Like in one pocket, you still take the foul, but can leave the other player with a challenging shot.
Same as break.
This is to direct the cue ball by barely contacting an object ball.
Same as feather (US) or snick (UK)
This is an imaginary player that you can attempt to run a rack against when playing a practice or training game.