When I first started playing pool (more than casually) my head would spin sometimes at all the pool lingo, slang and niche terms involved in the sport. Below, I’ve compiled a list of all the slang I’ve learned over the years and what they mean or refer to – which sometimes can be more than one thing depending on the situation its being used in. I’ve also added in basic pool terms (slang or not) which anyone playing the sport – especially more than once every once in a while – should know.

A

Action – Refers to the gambling activity that takes place in pool games, especially where there’s a high level of betting and wagering involved. Could also be used to note a player who seemed likely to get out making a mistake or getting a bad roll on the table that results in a difficult next shot—stating that their opponent has action (a chance to still win) as a result of the mistake.
APA – Stands for the American Poolplayers Association, the largest pool league in the world. The APA organizes leagues and tournaments across various skill levels, using a handicap system to level the playing field among players.
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B

Bad hit – A term used when a player fails to make a legally required contact between the cue ball and the object ball.
Bad Roll / Unlucky Roll – This term is used when a player executes a technically sound shot, but the cue ball ends up in an unfavorable position due to it overrolling, underrolling, or moving in an unexpected manner. The phrase often suggests that the undesirable outcome was due to luck rather than a flaw in the player’s shot execution.
Ball in hand – A rule that allows a player to place the cue ball anywhere on the table, usually awarded after the opponent commits a foul.
Bank out – Refers to an agreement between players to bank their final ball during a match, regardless of whether a more straightforward shot is available.
Bank shot – A shot where the cue ball hits an object ball into the cushion with the intention that it rebounds off the rail to pocket the object ball.
BCA – Stands for Billiard Congress of America, which sets official rules for pool games in the United States. Many pool players play by BCA rules, even if they are not in a BCA sanctioned game or tournament.
Behind the line – A rule applied after a foul where the cue ball must be placed behind the head string, usually within a specific area marked by the second diamond from the breaking side. Also referred to by some as “In the Kitchen.”
Break and run – Occurs when a player breaks the rack and continues to pocket all the required balls until winning the game without letting the opponent shoot.
Bridge – Refers to the hand formation used to support and stabilize the cue stick during a shot in pool.
Bridge (Accessory) – A tool used in pool to extend the reach or provide support for the cue stick when the cue ball is too far away or in an awkward position to use a hand bridge comfortably. Also referred to as a bridge stick.
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C

Call shot – A rule requiring players to specify the intended pocket and ball before each shot. If the called shot is not made as declared, and instead goes into an undeclared pocket, the ball remains pocketed, but the player loses their turn.
Cheese – Commonly used in 9-ball to describe a scenario where a player opts for a combo shot on the 9-ball to win the game, bypassing the need to pocket all other balls in sequence. If an opponent calls “no cheese” prior to the start of a match, they are saying an out-of-sequence combo shot cannot be used for the win.
Chop the Pot – When two players in a final match agree to split the winnings regardless of the game’s outcome, most frequently done at the end of a long tournament.
Clean – Describes a requirement in some casual bar rules that the eight-ball must be pocketed without touching any other balls.
Cue ball control – Refers to a player’s skill in manipulating the position and spin of the cue ball to set up for subsequent shots.
Cut – A shot where the cue ball strikes the object ball at an angle to direct it toward the intended pocket.
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D

Dog (the nine) – Refers to missing an easy shot on the nine ball due to pressure. “Dog” or “dogged” is also used to describe a miss on any easy shot.
Dollar on the out – A casual wager, often just $1, on whether a player can successfully make a declared shot. If the player fails, they pay the bettor; if successful, the bettor pays the player.
Double Dip – In double-elimination tournament play, when a player from the losers’ bracket defeats the undefeated player twice in the finals.
Double Elimination – A tournament format where each participant is allowed two losses before being eliminated.
Double Hit – Occurs when the cue stick contacts the cue ball twice in a single stroke; considered a foul.
Double Kiss – When the cue ball strikes an object ball and then, due to angle or proximity, strikes it again; considered a foul.
Draw – A spin placed on the cue ball by striking it below center, causing it to reverse direction after contact.
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E

Early 8 – Occurs when a player accidentally pockets the 8-ball before clearing their group of balls, resulting in an immediate loss.
Eight and Out – In one-pocket pool, when a player pockets eight balls in a row to win the game.
Elevated Bridge – A technique where the back of the hand is raised to elevate the cue stick, usually used to clear an obstructing ball.
English – The spin applied to the cue ball by striking it off-center to control its rebound off cushions.
Even up – Settling debts or evening the score in a gambling context before continuing the game.
Extension/Extender – A tool that screws into the butt of a cue to extend reach when the cue ball is far away.
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F

Fargo (rating) – Refers to the FargoRate system, a global rating system for cue sports players.
Fat – Describes a shot where the cue ball hits the object ball with more fullness than intended.
Front runner – A player who performs well when leading but may struggle to come from behind.
Follow – Spin placed on the cue ball by striking it above center, causing it to continue forward after contact.
Follow Up – A rule requiring a made follow-up called ball after the break to continue the turn.
Foul – Any infraction of the game’s rules resulting in a penalty, often ball in hand for the opponent.
Frozen – When a ball is in direct contact with a cushion or another ball, affecting shot options.
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G

Get Out – Describes winning a game, especially after back-and-forth play.
Ginned it – Making a highly difficult shot against the odds.
Good Hit – A shot executed legally without any foul.
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H

Handicap – A system used to level the playing field between players of different skill levels.
Hanging in the pocket – Describes a ball that is very close to falling into a pocket but remains on the table edge.
High Balls / Low Balls – Stripes (9–15) are high balls; solids (1–7) are low balls; 8-ball is neutral.
Hill/hill – When both players need one more game to win the match, also called “double hill.”
Hold your man – Ensuring the next player does not get an easy start.
Hook(ed) – Leaving an opponent without a direct shot, or oneself without a shot, after a safety.
House rules – Venue-specific rules differing from standard regulations.
Hustle – Misrepresenting skill to gain a betting advantage.
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I

In the kitchen – After a foul, cue ball must be placed behind the head string; same as “Behind the line.”
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J

Jack and Jill – A doubles format with one male and one female player.
Jump shot – A shot where the cue ball is struck low to jump over an obstructing ball.
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K

Kick shot – A shot where the cue ball is hit to a rail before contacting the object ball.
Kiss shot – A shot where an object ball, after being struck by the cue ball, bounces off one or more other balls (“kisses”) before going in the pocket.
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L

Lag shot – Technique to determine break order by shooting balls to the foot rail.
Last Lady – The last female player left in a tournament, sometimes awarded a prize.
Last two – A 9-ball handicap where a weaker player can win by pocketing any of the last two balls.
Last pocket – A rule requiring the final ball be pocketed in the same pocket as the previous ball.
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M

Massé Shot – An advanced shot using extreme spin and a nearly vertical cue to curve the cue ball.
Miscue – When the cue stick slips or fails to contact the cue ball properly.
Money ball – The critical ball that, when legally pocketed, wins the game (e.g., 9-ball).
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N

(the) Nuts – In gambling, a situation where a player cannot lose.
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O

On the hill – When a player needs one more game to win the match.
Open Table – When any suit can be chosen after the break if follow-up is required.
(the) Out – A planned sequence of shots that clears all remaining balls in one turn.
Out of stroke – Performing below usual skill level often from lack of practice.
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P

Pattern play – Planning several shots ahead to maintain table control.
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R

Race (to) – Competing to reach a set number of game wins first.
Rack – A single game in a series (e.g., the second rack in a race-to-3).
Rack (Accessory) – The triangle or diamond used to set up balls before the break.
Ring game – A money game with more than two players taking turns.
Roll – When balls, especially the cue ball, end up in a favorable position.
Run out – Pocketing all required balls in one turn.
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S

Safety – A defensive shot intended to leave the opponent without a direct shot.
Sandbagging – Deliberately playing below actual skill to manipulate handicaps.
Scotch Doubles – Doubles format where partners alternate shots within the same turn.
Session – An extended period of play, often with multiple games or sets.
Set – A series of games played until a predetermined number of wins.
Shark – A highly skilled or deceptive player.
Sharking – Distracting or undermining an opponent; against tournament rules.
(the) Shooter – The player whose turn it is to shoot.
Side bet – A wager by those not directly involved in the main game.
Slice – A thin cut shot where the cue ball barely grazes the object ball.
Slop – Any pocketed ball counts, regardless of whether it was called.
Speed – Refers to both player’s pace and how fast balls travel on the table.
Spot (noun and verb) – A handicap spot or placing a ball on a designated spot after a foul.
Stance – A players body and foot positioning which should be back leg braced, with the front leg slightly bent, their weight evenly distributed, and their body aligned toward the shot line in order to create a stable platform for an accurate shot.
Straight up – Playing without handicaps.
Stroke – The motion and technique of striking the cue ball.
Suit – The group of balls (stripes or solids) assigned after the break.
Sweating the action – Spectators intensely watching and betting on the game.
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T

Table run – When the non-breaker runs the table after the break.
Table Speed – How freely balls move across the felt, influenced by table conditions.
Thin – A shot where the cue ball barely grazes the object ball.
Tit or titty – The rounded part of a pocket that can deflect a poorly aimed ball.
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W

Walk the dog – A shot where a ball travels along the rail into a pocket.
Watcher – A neutral observer who rules on fouls during high-level or local matches.
Weight – Handicap points given to level play.
(on the) Wire – Pre-match points marked on a wire scorekeeper as a handicap.
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