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Billiards evolved from a lawn game similar to the croquet game during the 15th century in Northern Europe. Green cloth was used to simulate grass and a border was installed around a wooden table. Instead of striking the balls, they were shoved. The game became popular in the United States because of an inventor named Michael Phelan who had devised rules and standards. Now you'll find billiards in bars, bowling alleys, billiard parlors, and other entertainment centers.
Where To Go?
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by PAL Staff
In the Palo Alto area, one of the more popular billiard parlors is Shoreline Billiards located on 1400 N. Shoreline Blvd in Mountain View. They have 24 Brunswick 4.5 x 9 ft tables, 2 imported English 6 x 12 ft Snooker tables, and 1 antique Brunswick 5 x 10 ft Carom table. They even offer lessons given by certified instructors. Call (650) 964-0780.
Blue Chalk Cafe is located on 630 Romona Street in PA. They serve Southern cuisine. Go there early in the day and get half-off on billiard table rental. Call (650) 326-1020.
Other popular places are California Billiard Club on 881 E. El Camino Real in Mountain View (650-965-3100) and Q Cafe on 529 Alma Street in Palo Alto (650-322-3311).
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Common Billiards Terms
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Compiled by PAL Staff
Here are some commonly used terms for the games of general billiards and snooker:
- Angled - The corner of a pocket is in the way of a shot.
- Baulk - The area between the bottom cushion and the Baulk line.
- Baulk Line - A line 29 inches from the face of the bottom cushion.
- Bed - The cloth surface of the table within the cushions.
- Bottom Cushion - The cushion located at the head of table.
- Bridge - The shape of the hand that supports the shaft of the cue during a shot.
- Center Spot - The middle point of the table.
- Chalk - An abrasive substance applied to the cue tip to prevent slipping during a shot.
- Combination - Shot in which the cue ball first strikes a ball other than the one to be pocketed, with the ball initially contacted in turn striking one or more other balls in an effort to score.
- Corner-Hooked - Similar to "angled", when the corner of a pocket prevents shooting the cue ball in a straight path directly to an object ball.
- Count - A shot that results in a score.
- Crutch - Another name for mechanical bridge.
- Cue - The stick for shotting the cue ball.
- Cue Ball - The white ball which has no number marking on it.
- Cue Tip - A piece leather or other material attached to the end of the shaft for contacting the cue ball.
- Cushion - The cloth-covered sides of the table.
- Diamonds - Marking on the rails that are used as reference points during a shot.
- Draw Shot - A shot striking the cue ball below center point that results in back spin.
- Double Hit - The cue ball is struck twice by the cue tip on the same stroke.
- Double Round Robiin - A tournament that each player plays each of the other players twoice.
- English - Side spin applied to the ball by striking it off center.
- Feather Shot - The cue ball slightly touches an object ball.
- Follow Shot - The cue ball is struck above the center point of the cue ball resulting in forward spin.
- Frozen - When ball is touching another ball or the cushion.
- Game Ball - The last ball into the pocket that generates a win.
- Handicap - Changing in the rules to favor a player with lesser ability or skills.
- Hold - English shot that stops the cue ball from continuing the course of natural roll.
- Jump Shot - The cue ball or object ball is struck and forced off the table.
- Kick Shot. - The cue ball hits a cushion before contacting an object ball or into a pocket.
- Kiss - Contact between balls.
- Kiss-Out - Unintentional contact between balls that results in a foul.
- Masse - A shot with heavy english. Achieved by elevating the cue butt at an angle and send the cue ball into a curved path.
- Mechanical Bridge - A device mounted on the end of a handle providing support for the shaft of the cue during shots that are difficult to reach.
- Miscue - A shop that results in the cue tip slides off the ball.
- Natural Roll - Refers to the motion of the cue ball with english applied.
- Position - The placement of the cue ball relative to the next shot.
- Powder - Substance used to allow smooth movement of the cue shaft through the bridge.
- Push Shot - The cue tip keeps in contact with the ball beyond the split second allowed
- Pyramid - Ball formation during the start of a game.
- Rack - The triangular shape device for holding the balls together during the start of a game.
- Rails - Part of the table not covered by cloth.
- Rest - A mechanical bridge.
- Round Robin - A tournament that each player plays each of the other players once.
- Safety - Positioning of the object balls to minimize the other player's chances to score.
- Shaft - A part of a cue between the tip and the mid point.
- Snookered - A player's cue ball is located at a position that he/she cannot make a shot.
- Stance - The player's body position during a shot.
- Stroke - The movement of the cue during a shot.
- Triangle - A triangular shape rack used for holding the balls in position during the start of a game.
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