What is billiard ball English?

English or “side” refers to sidespin applied to the cue ball (CB) by hitting left or right of the cue-ball vertical centerline. Proper usage suggests the term “english” is preferable to “English” for describing sidespin, but “English” is also commonly used.

What is the meaning of billiard ball in English?

Meaning of billiard ball in English

a ball used in the game of billiards (= a game played by two people on a table covered in soft cloth, in which a long stick is used to hit balls against each other and into pockets around the table): The clack of billiard balls resonated from a nearby room.

Why is it called English in billiards?

When a cue ball is struck on either side of its vertical axis, giving it “sidespin," that's called "English" in billiards. It may also occur when a ball collides with another or with a rail. The term comes from the British players who first became famous with sidespin techniques.

What is the difference between English and American billiards?

The simplest answer is that the American pool tables are generally larger than English pool tables with the standard American pool table being an 7ft, 8ft or 9ft and the standard English pool table being a 6ft, 7ft or 8ft. The official tournament or professional sizes being 9ft for American, and 7ft for English.

What does putting English on a ball mean?

The OED defines the usage as “U.S. Sport (originally Billiards). Spin imparted to a ball by striking it on one side rather than centrally so as to affect its course, esp. after an impact or bounce.” The dictionary says the word “English” here is a synonym for the British term “side.”

An Easy Way to Get Precision English in Billiards and Pool - Part 1 - Center English

Is English pool harder?

Even the cushions and pockets are designed differently. On British tables, the pockets are narrow with pronounced, rounded shoulders. This makes it harder to pot a ball, as the shoulders can rebound your shot in almost any direction, and promotes skill. The cushion profile is L-shaped, which gives a moderate rebound.

Is English pool harder than American?

With the larger pockets and balls, American pool is an easier game to pick up and learn, especially good if you have children you're looking to get into the game. The game is also a good deal faster with the smoother cloth.

What are the three types of billiards?

A "Billiards" category encompassing pool, snooker, and carom has been part of the World Games since 2001.

What cue to use for English pool?

The main thing to be sure of is which game they play - American or British pool. Most adult players will be best suited to a standard-length 57-inch cue, although a 48-inch cue is also perfectly good for most adults and older children. If they travel to play, then a 2-piece or 3-piece cue might be ideal.

How many balls are in English billiards?

A set of pool balls consists of one white cue ball and 15 colour-coded numbered balls. The balls numbered 1 through 8 have solid colours and the balls numbered 9 through 15 are white with a centre band of colour.

What do Americans call billiards?

American pool is a term used in the United Kingdom, and sometimes more broadly outside North America, to refer to pool (pocket billiards) cue sports that make use of formerly American-style and now professionally world-standardised numbered billiard balls that have a standard diameter of 57 mm (21⁄4 in), as opposed to ...

What is the billiard ball analogy?

Anyone who has studied international relations will be familiar with 'realism' and its metaphor of nation states as billiard balls, practically identical and always colliding. The gist of it is that material realities – the economy and the structure of the international system – are all that matter.

What is billiards in English Oxford?

/ˈbɪliədz/ /ˈbɪljərdz/ [uncountable] ​a game for two people played with cues (= long sticks) and three balls on a long table covered with green cloth. Players try to hit the balls against each other and into pockets at the edge of the table.

Why is it called pool and not billiards?

In its original use, billiards refers to any type of cue sport, including carom billiards, pool, and snooker. On the other hand, pool specifically refers to a game played on a pool table. Traditionally, billiards tables do not have pockets.

Is there a difference between billiards and pool?

Billiards is played on a table without pockets. The game only has three balls, which are red, white (with a spot), and another white one (without a spot). Pool involves a table with six pockets. You need 15 balls, but some people play with just nine.

What is the white ball in billiards called?

What is the White Ball called in a Pool, Snooker, and Billiards Game? In 8 ball pool (or snooker and billiards), the white ball is known as the cue ball. The cue ball in cue sports is as important as a striker in a carrom game.

What is the difference between billiards and bar billiards?

Bar Billiards is played on a table that closely resembles a small Billiards table and measures 56” x 33.5”. Unlike a normal Billiards table that has six pockets around the edge, a Bar Billiards table does not have any such pockets and instead features holes sunk into the table.

Can you use an American cue for English pool?

Using an American Cue for English Pool

For general play, a player would struggle using an American pool cue due to the difficulty in precise ball control. The cue tip is so large compared to the English cue ball that striking a specific point on it accurately is very difficult.

What is the difference between English pool and snooker?

Snooker is played with 15 pink numberless balls, 6 numbered object balls, and 1 cue ball, while Pool is played on a table with 6 pockets, with 9 to 15 object balls, and in addition, a cue ball.

Can you jump in English pool?

3.27 JUMP SHOTS

Unless otherwise stated in rules for a specific game it is legal to cause the cue ball to rise off the bed of the table by elevating the cue stick on the shot, and forcing the cue ball to rebound from the bed of the table. Any miscue when executing a jump shot is a foul.

Why are English pool tables smaller?

This is because they fit into buildings easier and require less room. This being said, the smaller American pool sized tables are still perfectly able to play an excellent game of American Pool. English Pool is played using smaller balls and smaller pockets, hence competition tables are only 6ft.

Why do Americans call spin English?

Here's the most common story: An Englishman visited the US soon after leather tips were invented. He gave exhibitions showing spin shots previously not possible. People were impressed with these new “English” shots. The name “english” stuck (for any shot using spin on the CB, especially sidespin).

What does balls mean in British slang?

balls in British English

(bɔːlz ) vulgar, slang. plural noun. 1. the testicles.

What is English eight ball?

Blackball pool (sometimes written black ball), also known as English pool, English eight-ball or simply reds and yellows, is a pool game originating in the United Kingdom and popularized across Europe and The Commonwealth, such as Australia and South Africa. In the UK and Ireland it is usually called simply "pool".