Definition of Straight eight

Chiefly American: The cushion on the foot rail. Compare top cushion; contrast head cushion.

This is a low bet in a game with action.

Also lady's aid or girly stick. A denigrating term for the mechanical bridge.

Describes a cue ball sliding on the cloth without any top spin or back spin on it.

This refers to a shot that is not banked, does not hit a rail and goes into the pocket without contacting any other balls on the table.

Also known as slop. To pocket a ball by luck; "he ratted in the 9 ball"; usually employed disapprovingly.

This is a certain type of system used to determine who plays first in the next game. These methods are not synonymous with pool skills, and are more along the lines of flipping a coin, paper-rock-scissors, or drawing straws.

This is an object ball that essentially covers up a path necessary for sinking the desired object ball.

Side spin on a cue ball on the opposite side of the direction of the cut angle to be played (right-hand english when cutting an object ball to the left, and vice versa). In addition to affecting cue ball position, outside english can be used to decrease throw.

A soft joint-like plastic or linen base material. It lets the cue whip, putting more English on the cue ball.

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

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 ball the cue ball contacts.

A player's auction at a pool tournament. Each player is called and players and spectators bid on the player. The highest bidder(s) pays their bid to the calcutta, and by doing so invest in that player's success. If a player wins or places in the tournament, those who "bought" the player receive a percentage of the total calcutta payout, usually tracking the percentage payout of the tournament prize fund. Typically, players have the option of purchasing half of themselves when the high bid is won by a third party. Like english and scotch doubles, usually not capitalized.

Chiefly British: Same as duck, and stemming from the same obvious etymology.

This is a handicapping method where one player gets the break, and is allowed to choose any ball afterwards to put in their pocket.

This is a method of handicapping that designates a wild ball for a lesser player to be able to pocket at any point during a game in order to win.

This is the portion of your cue below joint, and includes the forearm, handle, sleeve, and the cap. Usually made with exotic wood and creatively designed to be pleasing to the eye, and often times wrapped at the handle, this is the attractive portion of the cue stick. (Sometimes this word is used alone to refer to the butt sleeve portion of the cue stick).

This is a fine powdery substance used to assist the sliding of the cue over the hand bridge.

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

You can cheat the pocket by angling your shot to go in at the right or left of the pocket opening when sinking a shot. This permits the cue ball to strike the object ball at a different contact point than the most obvious one.

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

Also spot-stroke, spot hazard. A form of nurse shot in English billiards, in which the red ball, which must be spotted to a specific location after every time it is potted before another shot is taken, is potted in such as way as to leave the cue ball in position to repeat the same shot, permitting a skilled player to rack up many points in a single break (series of shots in one visit).

Same as gutter table. A table with a ball return system, as opposed to a drop pocket table.

To create contact with the cue ball or an object ball.