When you start to play pool there are some intricacies of the table you should know. After all, you want to be able to sidle up to the local pool table with the best of them. Chances are that you won't be using many of the table terms during play, but not knowing the regions of the table is like setting off on a journey without a map, and knowing the table will at least help you sound like a pro even if you don't quite feel like one yet. And you thought it was enough just to find a table! The more you know about tables the harder you will look for one that is right for you.

The pool table is divided into regions that define the location of the balls at any given time during play. After reading this chapter, you will see the table in a whole new light, as though looking at a radar screen. When this happens you know you've gained a certain edge over the game.

Most tables are marked with a small diamond on each side rail to guide you to specific regions of the table, so you don't have to leave it all to imagination! But beware — the diamonds are sometimes worn or faded on some of the older tables, so don't hurt your eyes looking for them — if you know the table, you won't need to look for the markings — you'll just know the regions by looking at the table surface.

Dissecting the Table

The breakdown of the table surface is not unlike a simple map. Think of it this way: The table is the area in which you're traveling and the imaginary lines that divide the table are similar to longitude and latitude. You can't see the lines, but you know they're there. Like longitude and latitude, the imaginary lines on the pool table will tell you where you are on the map. On most tables you will see visible markings in the form of dots up the middle of the table where the imaginary lines intersect. These are your traffic lights. They indicate the actions you will take on the table according to the rules of the various games.

The dots are not drawn onto the cloth but are actually small bits of a felt-like material that are glued on. A well-maintained table will have these dots, which are called spots, in place, but sometimes you'll find that they have worn away. The spots can be purchased very inexpensively from a billiard supply store.

Table Area

To understand the regions of the table, divide the surface into an imaginary grid of eight squares — four lengthwise and two across. At the intersections of the squares up the center of the table you'll see two dots visibly marked — you don't have to imagine these unless you're playing on an old, poorly maintained surface). The visible spots are located in the centers of the bottom and top halves of the table.

Now that you can visualize the table “grid,” you will be able to identify the appropriate sections designating regions of play. You will need to know the terms of the table before you'll be able to understand the rules of the games. Different games have different rules about what you can do from the various regions of the table, so it's important to get them straight. The definitions are easy enough to remember simply because they make good common sense.

These are the parts of the table you should know — and their definitions:

• Side pockets: The two pockets located in the center of both long sides of the table.

• Corner pockets: The four pockets located at each corner of the table.

• Head rail: The short side of the table and the place you stand when you break.

• Foot rail: The opposite short side of the table (across from the head rail). The balls are racked on this side of the table.

• Side rails: The long sides of the table where you will find the side pockets.



It is important to be familiar with all the regions of the pool table.

• Head string: The imaginary line drawn parallel to the head rail — halfway between the head rail and the two side pockets. Most tables will have diamonds etched into the side rails to delineate the imaginary line. The head string is two diamonds up from the head rail. You must break from behind the head string.

• Center string: The imaginary line drawn though the center of the table parallel to the head and foot rails (from side pocket to side pocket).

• Foot string: The imaginary line drawn parallel to the foot rail — halfway between the foot rail and the two side pockets. When you can see the diamonds etched into the side rails, the foot string is two diamonds up from the foot rail.

• Head spot: A visible spot in the middle of the imaginary head string.

• Foot spot: A visible spot in the middle of the imaginary foot string.

• Center spot: An imaginary spot in the middle of the imaginary center string.

• Long string: An imaginary line that runs down the center of the table from head rail to foot rail. Balls are spotted from either side of the long string starting from the foot spot.

• Kitchen: The area of the table from where you break. It is located between the head string and the head rail. When people refer to this area of the table, they usually just say “behind the line.”