Pool, also known as pocket billiards, is a game played on a rectangular table covered with cloth and marked with six pockets. Players use a cue stick to strike a white cue ball, which in turn hits other colored balls, aiming to sink them into the pockets. The game has various versions, such as eight-ball and nine-ball, with specific rules for each. The goal is to either pocket a set of balls or a specific ball, depending on the version being played. Pool is popular in bars, clubs, and homes, offering a fun challenge that involves skill, strategy, and precision.

What is "pool"?

pool

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Eight ball is a popular pool game played with 16 balls: a cue ball and 15 numbered balls, divided into two groups. One group has balls numbered 1 through 7, known as "solids," and the other has balls numbered 9 through 15, known as "stripes." The objective of the game is to first pocket all of the balls from one group, either solids or stripes, and then pocket the 8 ball to win. Players take turns trying to hit their designated group of balls into pockets using a cue stick. The game ends when a player legally pockets the 8 ball after clearing their group.

What is "eight ball"?

eight ball

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Nine ball is a fast-paced pool game played with nine balls numbered 1 through 9, plus a cue ball. The objective is to pocket the 9 ball by hitting the balls in numerical order, starting with the 1 ball. Players take turns trying to hit the lowest numbered ball on the table first. A player must strike the lowest numbered ball, but can pocket any ball as long as the shot is legal. The game ends when the 9 ball is pocketed legally, and the player who does so wins the game. Nine ball is often played with a "call shot" rule, where players must declare their intended ball and pocket.

What is "nine ball"?

nine ball

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One-pocket is a billiard game where each player is assigned one corner pocket on the table. The goal is to be the first to pocket a certain number of balls, typically eight, into their designated pocket. Players take turns shooting, and each shot must be aimed at one of the balls on the table, with the objective of sinking it into their assigned pocket. The game is strategic because players must control the table and prevent their opponent from scoring by blocking access to their pocket. One-pocket is known for its tactical depth and requires careful planning and shot selection.

What is "one-pocket"?

one-pocket

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Snooker is a cue sport played on a rectangular table with six pockets. The game involves 15 red balls and 6 colored balls, along with a white cue ball. The objective is to score more points than the opponent by potting balls in a specific order. Players must first pot a red ball, followed by a color ball, and then repeat the process until all the reds are potted. After a color ball is potted, it is returned to its spot on the table until all the reds are cleared. Once all the reds are gone, the player must pot the color balls in a set order, starting with yellow and finishing with the black ball. Points are scored based on the value of the ball potted, and the player with the most points at the end of the game wins. Snooker requires high levels of skill, strategy, and precision.

What is "snooker"?

snooker

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Billiards is a general term for cue sports played on a rectangular table, typically using a cue ball and one or more object balls. The games can vary, but the basic goal involves using a cue stick to hit the cue ball, which then strikes the object balls. There are different types of billiards, including carom billiards, where the cue ball must contact both object balls in one shot, and pocket billiards, which involves sinking object balls into pockets. The game requires precision, skill, and strategy to control the cue ball and make successful shots, with various scoring methods depending on the specific rules of the game being played.

What is "billiards"?

billiards

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Carom billiards is a cue sport played on a table without pockets, using three balls: a white cue ball, a yellow ball, and a red ball. The goal is to score points by striking the cue ball so it contacts both the other balls in a single shot, a move known as a "carom." Players continue taking turns attempting to make successful caroms, with points being awarded for each successful shot. The game can be played in various formats, such as straight rail, cushion carom, or three-cushion, where players must make the cue ball contact at least one cushion before hitting the second ball. Carom billiards requires skill, accuracy, and strategic thinking to control the cue ball and set up future shots.

What is "carom billiards"?

carom billiards

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Bar billiards is a traditional game played on a special table with no pockets, typically found in pubs or social clubs. The game uses balls, a cue stick, and a table with small holes or "pins" placed around the edges. Players take turns trying to pot balls into these holes by striking them with the cue ball. Points are scored depending on which holes the balls land in. Bar billiards requires skill in controlling the cue ball and planning shots. It has been a popular pub game in England for many years and is often played in a relaxed, competitive setting.

What is "bar billiards"?

bar billiards

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Three-cushion billiards is a form of carom billiards played on a pocketless table, where the player must hit the cue ball, make contact with at least one cushion, which are the padded edges of the table, and then strike the two object balls. The cue ball must contact at least three cushions before hitting the second object ball. The goal is to score points by making successful carom shots with this added challenge of using the cushions. The number of cushions used before contacting the second object ball increases the difficulty, making three-cushion billiards a game of skill, strategy, and precise control of the cue ball's movement around the table.

What is "three-cushion billiards"?

three-cushion billiards

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A pot is the act of successfully hitting a ball into one of the pockets on a pool or snooker table. This is done by striking the ball with the cue ball in such a way that it travels into a designated pocket, usually after making contact with other balls on the table. Potting is a key skill in both games, and players aim to control the cue ball and position it for future shots while attempting to pot their target balls. Scoring depends on potting the correct balls in the right order, according to the game being played.

What is a "pot"?

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A safety shot is a strategic move in pool or snooker where a player deliberately avoids trying to pot a ball, instead focusing on positioning the cue ball in a way that makes it difficult for the opponent to take a good shot. This is often used to gain a tactical advantage, especially when a direct shot on the target ball is not possible or would risk leaving an easy shot for the opponent. A well-executed safety shot can force the opponent into making a mistake or leave them with a challenging position to play from.

What is a "safety shot"?

safety shot

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A bank shot is a move in pool or snooker where a player hits a ball, usually the cue ball, in such a way that it bounces off one or more cushions before making contact with the target ball and potting it into a pocket. This shot requires precise control over the angle and speed of the cue ball, as well as careful planning to ensure the ball bounces correctly off the cushions. Bank shots are often used when a direct shot is not possible due to the positioning of the balls on the table.

What is a "bank shot"?

bank shot

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A jump shot is a technique in pool or snooker where the player strikes the cue ball with the tip of the cue stick in such a way that it jumps over an obstructing ball to hit the target ball. This shot requires a precise and controlled hit to make the cue ball leave the table momentarily and land accurately. Jump shots are often used when an object ball is blocking the path to the target ball, allowing the player to clear the obstacle and continue their play. The jump shot is a challenging skill that requires practice and technique to execute effectively.

What is a "jump shot"?

jump shot

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A cushion shot is a move in pool or snooker where the player hits the cue ball in such a way that it bounces off one of the table's cushions, which are the padded edges, before making contact with the target ball. This shot can be used to reach balls that are not directly in line with the cue ball or when an obstacle ball is in the way. Cushion shots require careful control of the cue ball’s angle and speed to ensure it hits the cushion at the right point and then contacts the object ball in a favorable position for the next shot.

What is a "cushion shot"?

cushion shot

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A carom is a shot in billiards where the cue ball strikes two object balls in a single stroke. The goal is to make the cue ball hit both object balls, typically in a specific order or pattern. Caroms are the basis of games like carom billiards, where players earn points by successfully completing these types of shots. The challenge is to control the cue ball’s path accurately to hit both object balls, requiring skill and precision. Caroms can be made directly or with the help of cushions, depending on the specific rules of the game.

What is a "carom"?

carom

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A fluke is an unexpected or fortunate event that happens by chance, often in a way that seems accidental or unlikely. It can refer to situations where something happens in a way that was not planned or anticipated, but it results in a positive or surprising outcome. Flukes can occur in many different contexts, from sports to everyday life, and typically involve an element of luck or randomness.

What is a "fluke"?

fluke

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A massé shot is a technique in pool or snooker where the player strikes the cue ball with a high degree of spin, causing it to curve dramatically in a specific direction. This shot is typically used when the cue ball needs to go around an obstacle ball or to reach a ball positioned at an extreme angle. The player hits the cue ball from above with the cue stick, often using a curved motion. The massé shot requires advanced skill and control to execute successfully, as the spin causes the cue ball to follow a curved path on the table.

What is a "massé shot"?

masse shot

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A draw shot is a technique in pool or snooker where the player strikes the cue ball below its center, causing it to spin backward after hitting the object ball. This backward spin makes the cue ball move in the opposite direction of its original path, often returning to a more favorable position for the next shot. The draw shot is useful for positioning the cue ball after potting an object ball, allowing the player to control the table and plan their next move. It requires precise control of the cue ball's spin and speed to execute effectively.

What is a "draw shot"?

draw shot

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A double shot is when the cue ball strikes two object balls in a single stroke, hitting each one in succession. The player aims to make the cue ball contact the first object ball and then continue to hit the second object ball, often with careful control of the cue ball’s direction and speed. This shot is commonly used in situations where the balls are positioned in a way that requires hitting more than one ball in a single turn to continue the game. It requires skillful planning and precise execution to achieve the desired result.

What is a "double shot"?

double shot

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A force follow shot is a technique in pool or snooker where the player strikes the cue ball with a bit of extra power, causing it to move forward after hitting the object ball. This is done by hitting the cue ball above its center, creating a forward spin that helps it travel in the direction the player wants, often toward a better position for the next shot. The force follow shot is used to control the cue ball’s movement after potting an object ball, requiring precise timing and strength to achieve the right amount of spin and speed.

What is a "force follow shot"?

force follow shot

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A straight shot in pool or snooker is when the cue ball is lined up directly with the object ball and the pocket, allowing the player to hit the object ball in a straight line toward the target. This is one of the simplest shots in the game, as there are no angles or curves to consider. The player aims to strike the cue ball precisely so that it contacts the object ball and sends it directly into the pocket. A straight shot requires accurate aim and control over the cue ball to ensure the desired result.

What is a "straight shot"?

straight shot

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A plant shot is a move in pool or snooker where the cue ball hits one object ball, and that ball then strikes another object ball, causing the second ball to be potted into a pocket. The player aims to position the cue ball so that when it contacts the first object ball, it sends that ball into the second one at the correct angle to pot it. Plant shots require careful planning and precise positioning to ensure the balls are aligned properly, making it a skillful and strategic way to pot balls that may be difficult to reach directly.

What is a "plant shot"?

plant shot

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A pocket in pool, snooker, or billiards refers to one of the six openings around the table where players aim to pot the object balls. These pockets are typically located at the four corners and the two middle sides of the table. In most games, the goal is to pot the object balls into these pockets by striking them with the cue ball. The size and shape of the pockets vary slightly depending on the type of table, but they are generally designed to catch and hold the balls once they are hit into them.

What is a "pocket"?

pocket

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In cue sports, a treble refers to scoring three consecutive wins or points in a row, without interruption. This could happen by potting three balls in succession, winning three rounds, or making three successful shots one after another. Achieving a treble requires consistent skill and focus, as it means maintaining a high level of performance without mistakes over several turns or rounds. A treble is often seen as a sign of a player's skill and momentum during a game.

What is a "treble"?

treble

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In snooker, a century refers to a break where a player scores 100 points or more in a single turn at the table. This is achieved by potting a series of balls, usually starting with the red balls and followed by the colored balls, without missing a shot. Scoring a century is considered a remarkable achievement, as it requires precise skill, focus, and the ability to maintain control of the game throughout the turn. It is often seen as a sign of a player’s high level of skill and consistency.

What is a "century"?

century

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to break

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A push shot is an illegal move in pool or snooker where the player strikes the cue ball in such a way that the tip of the cue stick stays in contact with the ball for longer than a brief moment, effectively "pushing" it instead of striking it. This action gives the player extra control over the cue ball, which can result in an unfair advantage. A push shot usually occurs when a player tries to hit a ball that is very close to the cue ball, and it is against the rules in most cue sports.

English Words for "Cue Sports"