Billiards words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 21 words · Step 2 of 2

Table and equipment

Spots

Four spots on the long centre line: the Spot (12¾ in from the top cushion), where the red starts; the Pyramid Spot midway between the centre spot and the top cushion; the Centre Spot; and the spot in the middle of the baulk-line.

Also called: spot, pyramid spot, centre spot
See also: Baulk

Top cushion and bottom cushion

The two shorter sides of the table. The bottom cushion, also called the baulk cushion, is the one at the baulk end.

Scoring

Combined scores

When several scores are made in one stroke, all count. When an in-off is combined with a cannon, the in-off scores three if the red was hit first, and two if the opponent's ball was hit first or both were hit together.

Play and turn

Playing from in-hand

The cue-ball must be struck on or within the D and played out of baulk. It must hit a cushion or ball out of baulk before it returns to rest in baulk, and a ball in baulk cannot be played directly from in-hand.

See also: Cue-ball, Baulk, The D, In-hand

Direct and indirect stroke

A stroke is direct when the cue-ball hits an object ball before any cushion, and indirect when it hits one or more cushions first.

Both balls in baulk

A tactic of leaving both object balls in baulk when the next player is in-hand, so that any attempt to hit them must be an indirect stroke.

Baulk-line crossing

Where this rule is used, the cue-ball must cross the baulk-line, against the nap, as part of a legal stroke between 80 and 100 points in each 100 of a break. The referee calls Baulk-line warning at 80 and Baulk-line crossed. Failing to cross is a foul.

Spotting and limits

Spotting the red

A red that is potted or forced off the table goes back on the Spot, or on the Pyramid Spot if the Spot is occupied, then the Centre Spot. After repeated pots of the red it is placed twice on the Spot, then once on the Centre Spot.

See also: Table, Spots, Forced off the table

Limit on hazards

At most fifteen consecutive hazards without a cannon. The referee calls Ten hazards after ten. A sixteenth is a foul.

Limit on cannons

At most seventy-five consecutive cannons without a hazard. The referee calls Seventy cannons after seventy. A seventy-sixth is a foul.

Touching ball

When the cue-ball stays touching another ball, the referee calls Touching ball. The red goes on the Spot, the opponent's ball on the Centre Spot, and the striker plays from in-hand.

See also: Cue-ball, Striker, Spots, In-hand, Referee

Forced off the table

A ball that comes to rest other than on the playing area or in a pocket, or one the striker picks up while it is in play. Causing it is a foul.

Fouls

Running a coup

Playing the cue-ball in-hand directly into a pocket, with no ball out of baulk. It is a foul.

Push stroke

A stroke where the cue tip stays in contact with the cue-ball after it starts to move or as it meets an object ball, other than a very fine edge contact. It is a foul.

Jump shot

A stroke in which the cue-ball passes over part of an object ball, with some exceptions. It is a foul.

Conduct and officials

Unsporting conduct

Offensive language or gestures, wilful or persistent unsporting behaviour, or refusing to continue. The referee warns the player, and further conduct loses the game, then the match.

Time wasting

Taking abnormal time or running down the clock. The referee pauses the clock and warns the player, and further time wasting loses the game, then the match.

Concession

A player's offer to give up the game, which has no effect if the opponent chooses to play on.

Marker

The official who keeps the score on the scoreboard and helps the referee. The stroke recorder notes each stroke, the points, break totals and warnings.

Also called: stroke recorder
See also: Referee

Match format

Timed session

At the end of a session the referee calls Time. A stroke in progress is finished and counted, and the balls are measured and marked to restart the next session.

Four-handed billiards

Billiards between two sides of two players. Partners may talk during the game, but not while one is the striker and has approached the table until the break ends.

See also: English billiards, Striker, Table

The ruleHow is a game of English billiards won?

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