S Glossary of cue sports terms

also single elimination. tournament format in player out of tournament after single match loss. contrast double-elimination.

sink
same pocket (sense 2).
sink-in shot
any shot intentionally accounts elasticity of cushions allow ball bank past otherwise blocking ball. moving ball sink in cushion near blocking ball giving sufficient space past or kiss off side of it.
sitter
chiefly british: same duck, , stemming same obvious etymology.
skid
british: same cling, , kick, sense 2. noun, verb , rare adjective usage per cling .
skittle
an upright pin, looks miniature bowling pin, cone or obelisk. skittles, employed in billiards games, have been so-called since @ least 1634. 1 standardized size, largely italian , south american game five-pins, 25 mm (1 in.) tall, 7 mm (0.28 in.) round bases, though larger variants have long existed other games such danish pin billiards. depending upon game there may 1 skittle, or several, , may targets hit (often via carom) or obstacles avoid, former. called pins, though term can ambiguous. because of increasing international popularity of italian game five-pins), known in english italian name, birilli (singular birillo). skittles used obstacles in artistic billiards shots. flat, thin rectangular skittles, large dominoes, approximately 6 in. tall 3 in. wide, , placed upright obelisks on table in specific spots, used in obsolescent , principally australian games devil s pool , victory billiards. depending upon exact game being played, there may 1 pin, or several of various colors (e.g. ten white , 2 black in devil s pool), , may targets or obstacles, commonly latter. made of plastic, , increasingly difficult obtain, australian billiards suppliers. black obelisk skittle of sort features prominently, particularly dire hazard, in several scenes of sci-fi/pool film hard knuckle (1992, australia). skittles used in billiards games date ground billiards (13th century or earlier) played mace, , hand-thrown games of bowls @ least same era using same equipment. ball games using recognizable form of skittle known ca. 3300 bce in ancient egypt.
skunk
during set if opponent not win single game, said have been skunked.
slate
the heavy, finely milled rock (slate) forms bed of table, beneath cloth. major slate suppliers billiards industry italy, brazil , china. cheaper tables, , novelty tables designed outdoor use, not use genuine slate beds, artificial materials such slatrol.
slide
also, sliding ball when used in gerund form. describes cue ball sliding on cloth without top spin or spin on it.
slip stroke
a stroking technique in player releases gripping hand briefly , re-grasps cue farther on butt before hitting cue ball. see cowboy jimmy moore; known practitioner of slip stroke.
slop
1.  also slop shot. luck shot. compare fish , fluke; contrast mark (sense 3) , call.
2.  also sloppy. descriptive of game rules have been varied allow luck shots not allowed or no foul rules apply.
slop pockets
pocket openings wider typical , allow shots hit poor degree of accuracy made not pocketed on table more exacting pocket dimensions.
slow
1.  describes billiard table loosely woven, dirty, too-new or worn-out cloth (baize), upon balls move slower , shorter distances. see table speed more information.
2.  producing dull, sluggish action; said of cushions or of balls, in addition above, cloth-related definition.
3.  unusually rejecting of balls; said of pockets; see pocket speed (sense 1) more information. fast direct opposite of slow in of these usages.
small
also smalls, small ones, small balls. in eight-ball, shooting solid suit (group) of balls (1 through 7); re small 1 or ve got smalls . compare little, solids, reds, low, spots, dots, unders; contrast big.
smash-through
the effect of shooting regulation-weight object balls old-fashioned over-weight bar table cue ball, such cue ball moves forward occupy (sometimes temporarily), or go beyond, original position of object ball, on draw or stop shot, because mass of cue ball exceeds of object ball. players understand smash-through can use intentionally position play, such nudge other object balls nearby target ball. smash-through makes dangerous in bar pool (when equipped such cue ball) pocket straight-on ducks stop shot instead of cheating pocket because of likelihood of scratching cue ball.
snap
same break, sense 1.
sneaky pete
a two-piece cue constructed resemble house cue, near-invisible wood-to-wood joint. subterfuge enables hustler temporarily fool unsuspecting fish thinking or unskilled banger no regard finesse or equipment quality. many league players use cheap solid sneaky petes break cues.
snick
a british term pot requires fine contact between cue ball , object ball. see feather.
snooker
1.  (noun) game of snooker.
2.  (verb) leave opponent (accidentally or means of safety) shot on preferred object ball cannot played directly in straight line normal cueing. commonly means object ball cannot hit, because hidden ball or, more rarely, knuckle of pocket (see corner-hooked). can refer potting angle or significant point of contact on object ball, blocking otherwise more straightforward shot, if edge can seen. common related adjective describing player in situation snookered. known hook , corresponding adjective hooked common. see free ball.
3.  (noun) instance of situation (e.g. s put him in difficult snooker ). player can choose range of shots out of snooker; kick shot implemented semi-massés preferred, , in games not foul, jump shots may employed yield results skilled players. snooker used loosely (when used @ all; hook favored) in us, has specific definitions , subtypes (such total snooker) in blackball. see safe.
snooker spectacles
also snooker specs, snooker glasses. same billiards glasses.
snookers required
a phrase used in snooker describe scenario whereby there not enough available points on table level scores frame, therefore trailing player needs his/her opponent foul in order able make deficit. name comes fact have achieved placing leading player in foul-prone situations such difficult snookers.
soft break
a break shot in rack (pack) disturbed little possible within bounds of legal shot, in order force opponent have break further. soft break desirable in games, such straight pool, in breaking disadvantage; , forbidden open break rules of other games such nine-ball , eight-ball.
solids
also solid, solid ones, solid balls. non-striped ball suit (group) of fifteen ball set numbered 1 through 7 , have solid color scheme (i.e., not including 8 ball). in, m solid , or ve got solids . compare lows, smalls, littles, reds, spots, dots, unders; contrast stripes.
special average
abr. = sa, term carom billiards. number indicates relation between points , innings (points ÷ innings = sa) player has made in single match. e. g. 40 points in 10 innings sa of 4.000. higher numbers indicate better players. see general average
speed
1.  a player s skill level (subjectively) or numerical handicap (objectively).
2.  rapidity ball, cue ball rolling on table. see pocket speed (sense 2), speed control.
3.  same pocket speed (sense 1)
4.  same table speed (cloth speed).
speed control
the use of correct amount of cue ball speed in position play achieve proper shape subsequent shot.
spider


spider rest

also spider rest. type of rest, similar common american-style rake bridge longer legs supporting head cue higher , can reach on , around obstructing ball reach cue ball. see swan.

spin


basic cue tip contact points on cue ball impart various forms of spin. top spin known follow, side spin english, , bottom spin spin, draw or screw.


rotational motion applied ball, cue ball tip of cue, although if cue ball rotating impart (opposite) spin (in lesser amount) contacted object ball. types of spin include top spin, bottom or spin (also known draw or screw), , left , right side spin, differing , vital effects. collectively referred in american english english . invention credited françois mingaud. see massé.


split
1.  also split shot , split hit. in pool, type of shot in 2 object balls contacted cue ball simultaneously or close simultaneously difference indistinguishable eye. in sets of rules foul if split 1 in 1 of object balls (or only) legal target (ball-on) , other not; however, such split commonly considered legal shot in informal bar pool in many areas if called split , appear strike balls simultaneously).
2.  in pool, degree racked balls move apart upon impact cue ball result of break shot.
3.  in snooker, shot sending cue ball pack of red balls , separating them (after potting ball-on). @ least 1 split necessary in each frame, since original triangle of reds not allow balls potted reliably.
spot (noun)
1.  spot, a: in pool games such nine-ball, specific handicap given (e.g., spot give me? ).
2.  spot, a: in snooker, of 6 designated points on table on colour ball replaced after has left playing surface (usually after has been potted).
3.  spot, a: (often unmarked) point on table, @ intersection of 2 strings. see foot spot, head spot, center spot examples.
4.  spots: alternate name table s diamonds (sights).
5.  spot, the: spot ball, spotted ball, spot. in carom billiards , english billiards, second player s cue ball, shooting player object ball along red. contrast white ball, starting player s cue ball.
6.  spots: spot balls, spotted balls, spots. chiefly british. in numbered pool ball set, group of 7 balls, other black, solid colour number on ball inside small white spot on otherwise solid-coloured surface. referred solids; chiefly american colloquialisms lows, littles , smalls, while alternative british terms include dots , unders. contrast stripes.
7.  spot, the: short black spot.
spot (verb)
1.  in pool, return illegally pocketed object ball table placement on foot spot or near possible without moving other balls (in ways may differ ruleset ruleset).
2.  in snooker, return colour ball designated spot on table. called re-spot.
3.  in nine-ball, giving of handicap opponent can win making ball or balls other 9 ball (e.g. spotted me 7 ball ).
4.  in eight-ball, one-pocket , straight pool, giving of handicap opponent have make fewer balls opponent does.
5.  in variants of pool, place cue ball on head spot or near possible inside kitchen/baulk, after opponent has scratched.
spot shot
the situation arising in many pool games ball spotted table s foot spot or other specific location , cue ball must shot kitchen or d . there diamond system aiming techniques pocketing such shots without scratching cue ball pocket.
spot stroke
also spot-stroke, spot hazard. form of nurse shot in english billiards, in red ball, must spotted specific location after every time potted before shot taken, potted in such way leave cue ball in position repeat same shot, permitting skilled player rack many points in single break of shots in 1 visit.
squeeze shot
any shot in cue ball or object ball has squeeze (just miss no margin error) ball or balls in order reach intended target.
squirt
same deflection.
stake
1.  (noun) player s wager in money game. contrast pot, definition 3.
2.  (verb) provide part or of player s stake gambling session in 1 not player, i.e. stakehorse player. same back.
stakehorse
one stakes (monetarily backs) gambling player; a.k.a. backer. stakehorse can used verb.
stall
1.  to intentionally hide 1 s speed (skill); s on stall.
2.  to intentionally play irritate 1 s opponent. form of sharking has been eliminated many tournaments shot clock, , many leagues time-limit rules.
stance
a shooter s body position , posture during shot. see cue action.
stay shot
in uk, long-distance shot played pot ball close pocket heavy top spin, when cue ball hits cushion bounces off stops due counteraction of spin. not common in competitive play, being more of exhibition shot.
steering
the lamentable practice of not following through cue straight, veering off in direction of shot s travel or side english applied, away proper aiming line; common source of missed shots.
stick
same cue.
stop shot
any shot cue ball stops after hitting object ball. requires full hit.
straight 8
also straight eight-ball. same bar pool. not confused games of straight pool or straight rail.
straight up
to play even; without handicap. called heads up.
string
1.  a (usually unmarked) line running across table between 1 diamond , corresponding diamond on opposite rail. see head string, foot string, long string examples.
2.  same scoring string, a.k.a. wire sense 2. can used verb, in string point me, you?
3.  a successive series of wins, e.g. of games or frames in match or race.
4.  chiefly british; same lag.
5.  a metaphor precise control, in having cue ball on string.
string-off
also string off. obsolete: same string, sense 4, , lag.
stripes
also striped ones, striped balls. ball suit (group) of fifteen ball set numbered 9 through 15 , have wide colored bar around middle. compare bigs, highs, yellows, overs; contrast solids.
stroke
1.  the motion of cue stick , player s arm on shot;
2.  the strength, fluidity , finesse of player s shooting technique; has stroke.
3.  see in stroke: combination of finesse, judgement, accuracy , confidence.
stroke, catch a
to in stroke after poor prior play; caught stroke.
stroke, in
see in stroke.
stun run-through
a shot played stun, not quite enough stop cue ball, allowing little follow. played follow shot can controlled more reliably, firmer strike slow roll. considered 1 of difficult shots in game master, excellent weapon in player s armory once has been.
stun shot
a shot cue ball has no top spin or spin on when impacts object ball, , stuns out along tangent line. commonly shortened stun.
sucker shot
a shot novice or fool take. because guaranteed scratch or other foul, or because has low percentage of being pocketed , leave opponent in position.
suit
a (principally american) term in eight-ball either of set of 7 balls (stripes or solids) must cleared before sinking 8 ball. borrowed card games. used in generic, in rulesets or articles, rather colloquially players. see group british equivalent.
surgeon
a player skilled @ thin cut shots, , shots in ball must pass cleanly through narrow space (such cue ball between 2 of opponent s object balls barely enough room) avoid foul and/or pocket ball. such shots may referred surgery , surgical shots , surgical cuts , etc. (chiefly us, colloquial). see feather (us) or snick (uk).
swan


swan rest

also swan rest. type of rest, similar spider in head raised longer supporting legs, instead of selection of grooves on top cue rest in there one, on end of overhanging neck, player can cue ball more if path blocked 2 or more obstructing balls. known goose neck

sweaters
those stakehorsing match or have side bets on , sweating action , i.e. nervous outcome.
swerve
an unintentional , barely perceptible curve imparted path of cue ball use of english without level cue. not confused swerve shot.
swerve shot
same semi-massé. compare curve shot.