Terms — Pool
- 8‑Ball
- Game using solids and stripes; players clear their group then pocket the 8 to win.
- 9‑Ball
- Rotation game; you must contact the lowest‑numbered ball first. A legal 9 ends the rack.
- 10‑Ball
- Rotation and usually call‑shot; a called 10 finishes the rack.
- 14.1 / Straight Pool
- Any called shot scores one point; re‑rack after 14 balls for a break shot.
- Ball‑in‑Hand
- After certain fouls, the incoming player may place the cue ball anywhere on the table (some leagues restrict after the break).
- Scratch
- Cue ball is pocketed. Typically gives ball‑in‑hand to the next player.
- Safety
- A defensive shot that yields no intended pocketed ball while leaving the opponent tough.
- Bank Shot
- Object ball reaches the pocket after rebounding from one or more cushions.
- Kick Shot
- Cue ball is sent to a cushion first, then contacts the object ball.
- Combination (Combo)
- Object ball is driven into another ball to pocket a target ball.
- Carom
- Cue ball contacts an object ball and then another ball; also called a cannon in snooker/carom.
- Jump Shot
- Cue ball is made to jump over an obstructing ball using a steep, legal downward stroke.
- Massé
- Curved cue‑ball path created with extreme side‑spin and a steep stroke.
- English / Side
- Side‑spin applied to the cue ball; affects rebound angles and throw.
- Draw
- Back‑spin that pulls the cue ball back after contacting the object ball.
- Follow
- Top‑spin that carries the cue ball forward after contact.
- Frozen Ball
- A ball that is touching a cushion or another ball; special rules govern legal contact.
- Open Table
- In 8‑Ball, before groups are assigned; any first‑contact ball is legal except the 8 in many codes.
- Called Shot
- Shooter names the ball and pocket (and sometimes the path) before striking.
- Rail‑First
- Cue ball strikes a cushion before contacting the object ball.
- Inning
- A player’s turn at the table until a miss, foul, or game end.
- Break Shot
- First shot of a rack; requirements vary by game and league.
- Spot / Spotting
- Returning a ball to the table on the designated spot after certain fouls or early pocketing.
- Table Scratch
- No ball contacts a cushion (or is pocketed) after legal first contact—rules vary by game.
- Double Kiss
- Cue ball and object ball contact twice in quick succession; common in close banks.
- Kick Safe
- A safety that begins with a kick shot to minimize leaving a shot.