Pool words · Beginner

In eight-ball, the fifteen object balls are split into two groups of seven, and the 8-ball is neither. The first player to legally pocket a called ball takes that group, and must pocket all seven before shooting at the 8-ball. The groups are usually the solid-coloured balls and the striped balls.

The opening shot of a rack or match, played with the cue ball in hand from above the head string, usually to break the racked balls apart. If no ball is pocketed, at least four object balls must be driven to a rail. If not, it is an illegal break in eight-ball and a foul in nine-ball.

A shot on which the cue ball is pocketed. Pocketing or driving the cue ball off the table is a foul, and the incoming player has the cue ball in hand.

A shot where the cue ball hits one object ball, which then hits another ball into a pocket.

Three meanings: the triangle (or diamond) that arranges the balls for the break; the group of balls arranged in it; and one game of a match, played with one rack of balls. In nine-ball a match is scored one point per rack.

The most common pool game. It uses fifteen numbered balls and the cue ball. After the table opens, each player takes a group of seven, pockets them, and then pockets the 8-ball. Shots are called.

A game with nine balls, played in ascending order. The cue ball must hit the lowest-numbered ball first, and the player who legally pockets the 9-ball wins the rack.

When the cue ball is in hand, the shooter may place it anywhere on the playing surface and move it until the shot is played. After a standard foul, the incoming player has it. On a break and in some disciplines, placement is limited to the area above the head string.

The fouls listed for a discipline, such as scratching the cue ball, hitting the wrong ball first (in nine-ball, anything but the lowest-numbered ball on the table), no rail after contact, no foot on the floor, driving an object ball off the table, touching a ball, a double hit, a push shot, shooting while balls are still moving, and playing out of turn. After one, play passes to the opponent with the cue ball in hand.

In a call-shot discipline, the shooter may call safety instead of a ball and pocket, and play passes to the opponent at the end of the shot. In eight-ball, a ball pocketed on a safety stays pocketed. A safety is normally played to leave the opponent without a good shot.