Ball in hand the freedom to place the ball anywhere on the table
Baulk Cushion The end rail that you rack from (British)
Double Bank shot (British)
End rail The two shorter cushions at each end of the table.
Ferrule That little white thingy just behind the cuetip :-) In the UK, they use brass for ferrules.
Foot spot A point marked on the cloth two diamonds from the foot rail (the end rail where the balls are racked), in the center of the table. The spot you rack the balls on.
Foul An infraction of the rules that generally ends a player's inning (though it is possible to foul when not shooting).
Head spot A point two diamonds from the head rail (the end rail that you break from), in the center of the table.
Inning A turn at the table.
In The Kitchen Same as "ball in hand" but requires the cue ball to be behind the head string.
Kitchen Area behind the head string.
Lagging A way to determine who shoots first. Each player puts a ball behind the head string and banks it off the foot rail. The player whose ball comes closer to the head rail has choice of shooting first or second. Known as "Stringing" in the U.K.
Pot To pocket a ball (British)
Scratch When the cue ball goes in a pocket, or off the table.
Paul Moyland has compiled a more extensive list of pool and gambling jargon. You can mail him at moyland@uful07.phys.ufl.edu for a copy.
