B
Backspin
Also known as screw back, a type of spin applied to the cue ball through striking below its centre, causing it to spin backwards even as it slides forward on the cloth. Backspin is used to control the position of the cue ball. The amount of Backspin is increased through striking lower and hitting with more power. On a straight pot it will cause the cue ball to return along the same line and on angle pots it will narrow both the angle the cue ball travels after contact with an object ball.
Baize
The green cloth covering the tables playing surface and cushions
Balance point
The part of the cue where the weight is equally distributed. To find it, place one finger out straight and lay the cue across it moving it slightly until it balances on the finger.
Ball-in-hand
This gives a player the opportunity to place the cue ball anywhere within the ‘D’ prior to playing the shot at the start of a frame or following certain fouls.
Ball-on
At the start of a player's turn, unless none remain, any red ball will be the "ball-on". Plural: "balls-on". After a red has been potted then the ball on shall be the colour nominated by the player. Once all the reds are potted then ball on will be the colours in their order of points.
Banger
An insulting term usually given to a player who hits the cue ball harder than required.
Baulk
Also baulk area.The bottom end of the table between the baulk line and the baulk cushion, incorporating the ‘D’.
Baulk colour
The three coloured balls that get spotted at the start of a frame or after they have been potted on the baulk line, i.e. the yellow, green and brown balls.
Baulk cushion
The cushion opposite the top cushion, bounded by the yellow and green pockets – often referred to as the bottom cushion.
Baulk line
A straight line drawn on the cloth, across the width of the table, 73.66 cm from the face of the baulk cushion.
Bed
The playing area of a table, excluding the cushions.
Below
Used to describe the position of the cue ball. It is below the object ball if it is off-straight on the bottom cushion side of the imaginary line for a straight pot (e.g. "he'll want to finish below the blue in order to go into the reds"). It is also common to use the term low instead. NB – this is often confused with the term “above”, particularly with televised snooker, as the table is viewed in reverse.
Big pocket
Describes a shot where it is easier to pot the object ball because another ball is close to the pocket and a near miss on one side of it will likely cause the object ball to rebound into the pocket.
Billiardrome
A concept design for a purpose built snooker arena - www.billiardrome.com
Black ball
Worth 7 points. The highest-value colour ball on the table, whose spot is nearest the top cushion.
Blue ball
Worth 5 points, whose spot is at the center of the table.
Body english
The useless but common practice of contorting one's body while a shot is in play, in the vain hope that that will influence the balls' paths of travel; commonly used by club players and often considered humorous.
Bottomspin
See backspin.
Break
1)The opening shot of a frame, played with the cue ball in hand and the reds set in a triangle, with the six coloured balls on their respective spots.
2) A series of consecutive pots by a player during a single turn.
Bridge
The technique used by a player, positioning the hand to support the shaft end of the cue during a shot.
Bridge hand
The hand used by a player to form the bridge, usually a player's non-dominant hand.
Brown
The highest-value baulk colour, worth 4 points and spotted on the centre spot along the baulk line.
Butt
The bottom end of the cue, usually gripped by a player's dominant hand.
