pocket billiards

pocket billiards
pool2 (def. 1).
[1910-15]

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▪ game
also called  Pool,  
 a billiards game, most popular in the United States and Canada, played with a white cue ball and 15 consecutively numbered coloured balls on a rectangular table with six pockets (one at each corner and one at the midpoints of both longer sides). The dimensions of the table are usually 4 by 8 feet (122 by 244 cm) or 4 1/2 by 9 feet (137 by 274 cm).

      To begin play, the 15 object balls are arranged (racked) in a pyramid formation with its apex on a spot near the foot of the table. The first player then stands at the head of the table and drives the cue ball into the formation to break it apart. To continue play, he is usually required either to pocket a ball or to drive two object balls in addition to the cue ball against the cushions. When a player fails to pocket a ball, his opponent begins play. The first player or side to pocket eight balls wins the round.

      After the break (first) shot, a player must designate (call) the ball that he intends to pocket, although in this form of the game he need not indicate the pocket into which the ball will go. If the ball called is pocketed, any other balls pocketed on that stroke are also credited to the player. If the ball called is not pocketed, any other balls pocketed on that shot are replaced on the table on the spot where the rack is made or, if more than one ball is replaced, in a line from that spot; the player then loses his turn.

      Penalties of one ball replaced on the table in addition to those pocketed on the foul stroke are assessed for such infractions as failure to comply with rules for the break shot; touching the cue ball twice with the cue on the same stroke; pocketing the cue ball (“scratching”) or knocking it off the table; and failing either to pocket a ball, to drive an object ball to a cushion, or to drive the cue ball to a cushion after contacting an object ball. For a double foul on a single stroke, only one penalty is assessed.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • pocket billiards — /pɒkət ˈbɪljədz/ (say pokuht bilyuhdz) noun 1. See pool2 (def. 8). –phrase 2. play pocket billiards, Colloquial (of a male) to fondle one s testicles through one s pants pockets …  

  • pocket billiards — noun any of various games played on a pool table having 6 pockets • Syn: ↑pool • Hypernyms: ↑table game • Hyponyms: ↑snooker • Part Meronyms: ↑break, ↑carom …   Useful english dictionary

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  • pocket billiards — noun A family of billiards games played on a specific class of billiards table, having six receptacles called pockets (or holes ) along the rails, in which balls are deposited as the main goal of play. Syn: pool …   Wiktionary

  • Pocket billiards — male with hand in his pocket adjusting genitals …   Dictionary of Australian slang

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