M
Massé
A shot that makes the cue ball travel in an arc. Achieved by striking left or right of centre with the butt of the cue raised in the air.
Match
An agreed number of frames.
Match ball
A term used to describe the ball that will either win the frame or leave the opponent requiring snookers in the frame required to win the match.
Maximum
147 - The highest break possible. The first televised 147 was made by Steve Davis OBE in the 1981 Lada Classic and the first seen at the world championship was by Cliff Thorburn in 1983.
Technically, it is possible to achieve a higher break, upto 155, as a result of a free ball. The highest break ever recorded in professional competition is148, by Scotland’s Jamie Burnett.
Middle pocket
See centre pocket.
Miscue
A shot where the tip of the cue fails to make its intended contact on the cue ball. Usually caused by attempting to strike the extreme edges of the cue ball in order to achieve spin.
Miss
Originally introduced in order to deter players from playing an intentional foul, in order to gain an advantage. A player may have the balls returned to their original position and have the opponent take the shot again when a “miss” is called.
The referee can use discretion in calling a “miss”, although, in modern day professional snooker, unless a player escapes from a snooker, it is generally considered a miss.
Missable
Describing the level of difficulty involved in a particular shot.
Mushroom
Describing the cue tip overhanging the ferrule because of compression from repeated contact with the cue ball. Preferred by some players including John Parrott and Peter Ebdon.
