A–Z glossary

Games-room terms, in plain English.

Use the exact measurements in a product specification, not the label on the box. This glossary explains the language used across our tools and guides.

Find a term

201 terms. Search by term or words in the definition.

0–9

147#: The maximum break in snooker under normal conditions: all 15 reds, each followed by the black, then all six colours. Snooker table sizes →
180#: The maximum score with three darts: three treble 20s. Darts checkout calculator →
501#: The standard darts game. Each player starts on 501 and scores down to exactly zero, usually finishing on a double. How to play 501 →

A

Acoustic panel#: A wall or ceiling panel that absorbs sound. It can reduce the noise of balls, blowers and voices carrying through the house. Garage games room →
Air hockey goal#: The slot at each end of an air hockey table through which the puck is scored. Many tables return the puck automatically to the player. Air hockey tables →
Air hockey playing surface#: The smooth top of an air hockey table, drilled with small holes that air passes through. Blocked holes create dead spots; clean them as the maker advises. Air hockey tables →
American pool#: Pool played on larger tables, commonly 7ft to 9ft, with 2¼-inch balls and wide pockets. Check the playing area rather than the nominal size when comparing tables. Pool table room size →
Around the clock#: A darts practice game in which players hit each number from 1 to 20 in order. It is a simple way to practise accuracy around the whole board. Darts games at home →
Ash#: A hardwood widely used for snooker and English pool cue shafts. Its visible grain can help with sighting along the cue.

B

Backboard#: A panel mounted behind a dartboard to protect the wall beyond the area covered by a surround. It is useful on plaster or painted walls. Dartboard buying guide →
Baize#: A woven cloth traditionally used on card and cue-sports tables. Modern pool and snooker cloths vary in fibre, weave and speed. Pool table buying guide →
Ball cleaner#: A cloth, polish or machine for removing chalk and grime from balls. Clean balls roll more consistently and mark the cloth less.
Ball collector#: A net or tube for gathering loose balls. It is useful for practice sessions and with training robots. Table tennis space →
Ball in hand#: The right to place the cue ball where you choose before playing, usually after the opponent’s foul. Some rules allow anywhere on the table, others only behind the baulk line. English pool rules →
Ball on#: The ball or group of balls a player must hit first with the cue ball. Hitting the wrong ball first is usually a foul.
Ball set#: The full set of balls for a game. Full-size snooker balls are 52.5 mm; smaller home snooker tables often use smaller balls, so buy a set that matches the table and pockets. Snooker table sizes →
Bar billiards#: A traditional pub game in which balls are potted into holes in the bed, while pegs called mushrooms must not be knocked over. Play is usually timed.
Bar box#: A compact pool table, often 6ft or 7ft, of the type found in pubs and clubs. Many have a coin mechanism and a ball-return system. Pool table buying guide →
Barrel#: The weighted part of a dart that the player grips. Barrels vary in weight, length, material and grip pattern. Dartboard buying guide →
Bat#: The paddle used in table tennis, made of a wooden blade covered on each side with rubber. Bats for beginners usually come with rubbers already fitted. Table tennis space →
Baulk line#: A line across a snooker table near the bottom cushion. On a full-size table it is 737 mm (29 in) from the face of the bottom cushion; smaller tables scale it down. Snooker table sizes →
Bed#: The flat surface beneath a table’s cloth or playing top. Pool-table beds are commonly slate or engineered wood such as MDF. Slate vs MDF →
Billiards#: English billiards is played with two cue balls and a red. Points come from pots, in-offs and cannons. It is played on the same tables as snooker. Snooker table sizes →
Black spot#: The spot nearest the top cushion of a snooker table, where the black is placed. It is the colour spot furthest from the baulk line. Snooker table sizes →
Blade#: The wooden part of a table tennis bat, without the rubbers. Its construction affects speed and control.
Blower#: The electric fan inside an air hockey table that pushes air through holes in the playing surface so the puck floats. Blower strength and evenness shape the game. Air hockey tables →
Board rotation#: Turning the dartboard regularly so wear is spread across the board, not concentrated on the most-hit segments. Boards with a removable number ring allow this. Dartboard buying guide →
Bounce-out#: A dart that hits a wire or another dart and falls from the board. Thin wiring and good board maintenance reduce bounce-outs. Dartboard buying guide →
Braked castor#: A swivelling wheel fitted to a folding table frame with a brake to resist movement. Lock it as instructed, and use the table only on a firm, level surface. Table tennis space →
Brass darts#: Darts with brass barrels. They are cheaper than tungsten but bulkier for the same weight, which suits beginners and casual play. Dartboard buying guide →
Break#: In snooker and billiards, the total points scored in one visit to the table. Not to be confused with the break-off that starts a frame.
Break-off#: The first shot of a frame, played from the baulk area or behind the head string. It needs full cue clearance at the bottom end of the table. Pool table room size →
Bridge#: The hand position that supports and guides the front of the cue during a shot. A bridge needs room on the table, so cushions and wall clearance both matter. Pool table room size →
Bristle dartboard#: A dartboard made from compressed sisal fibres. The fibres close after a dart is removed, so the board can be rotated to spread wear. Dartboard buying guide →
Building Regulations#: Rules covering how building work is carried out, including insulation, ventilation and fire safety. Turning a garage into a habitable room often needs approval; check with your local authority. Garage games room →
Bull-off#: A throw at the bull to decide who starts a game of darts. The player whose dart lands nearest the centre throws first. How to play 501 →
Bullseye#: The centre of the dartboard: an inner bull and a surrounding outer bull. Board height is measured from the floor to the centre of the bullseye. Dartboard height and distance →
Butt#: The thicker lower end of a cue, held by the back hand. Butt weight and length affect how the cue balances.

C

Cabinet dimensions#: The full outside length, width and height of a games table. Use these for access checks, but use the playing area when calculating cue clearance. Room size checker →
Cabinet weight#: The weight of the assembled table. Slate tables can weigh several hundred kilograms, which affects the delivery route, the installation team and floor loading. Slate vs MDF →
Cancellation period#: The window in which a UK consumer can cancel most online or distance purchases, normally 14 days. Bespoke or personalised items may be exempt; check the retailer’s terms. Pool table buying guide →
Cannon#: A shot in which the cue ball strikes one ball and then another. Players use it to move balls into better positions.
Ceiling height#: The height from finished floor to ceiling. It affects overhead lighting, table tennis and darts, and whether tall parts can be manoeuvred into the room.
Centre line#: A thin white line along the length of a table tennis table that divides each half for doubles serving. Table tennis space →
Century break#: A break of 100 points or more in a single visit to a snooker table.
Chalk#: A small cube applied to the cue tip to increase grip on the cue ball and reduce miscues. Keep it off the cloth where possible.
Checkout#: The final scoring sequence that reduces a player’s score to exactly zero, usually finishing on a double. Score-reading tables list common checkouts. Darts checkout calculator →
Clear room dimension#: The usable length or width between the nearest obstructions at playing height, such as radiators, skirting, pillars or furniture. Use these, not wall-to-wall plan sizes. Room size checker →
Cloth speed#: A description of how freely balls roll on cue-sports cloth. Fibre, weave, nap, condition and humidity can all affect it.
Cloth tension#: How tightly the cloth is stretched over the bed and cushions. Loose cloth slows the balls and wears unevenly; re-covering is usually a job for a fitter.
Colour temperature#: How warm or cool white light looks, measured in kelvin (K). Lower values look warmer and higher values look cooler. Garage games room →
Condensation#: Moisture that forms when warm, humid air meets a cold surface. It is common in unheated garages and can damage cloth, wood and electronics. Garage games room →
Conversion top#: A panel laid over a table to switch it from one game to another, such as pool to table tennis or dining. Check the panel weight and how it locates. Multi-game tables →
Counterbalanced figures#: Table football figures weighted so they hang upright when the rod is left alone. They make the game easier to control. Multi-game tables →
Court divider#: A low barrier placed around a table tennis playing area to stop balls rolling away. Clubs use them to separate tables. Table tennis space →
Cricket#: A darts game played on the numbers 15 to 20 and the bull. Players must hit each target three times to close it. Darts games at home →
Cue ball#: The white ball struck with the cue. In English pool it is usually slightly smaller than the object balls; in snooker all balls are the same size.
Cue case#: A padded or rigid case for carrying a cue. Jointed cues fit shorter cases, which can matter if storage space is tight.
Cue clearance#: The unobstructed space behind the cue ball that lets a player hold and move the cue. Calculate it from each edge of the playing surface. Pool table room size →
Cue extension#: A section that attaches to the butt of a cue to lengthen it for long shots. It does not reduce the space needed for normal shots. Snooker table sizes →
Cue rack#: A wall-mounted or free-standing holder that stores cues upright. Mount it away from the cueing zone so players do not strike it.
Cue rest#: A stick with a shaped head that supports the cue for shots beyond normal reach. Snooker sets often include a standard rest, a raised rest called a spider and an extended swan. Snooker table sizes →
Cue tip#: The leather tip glued to the end of a cue. It wears down and hardens with use and can be shaped or replaced.
Cue weight#: The weight of a cue, usually quoted in ounces. It is a matter of preference; the balance point matters as much as the total.
Cushion#: The rubber-backed rail around a pool or snooker table that rebounds the balls. Cushion response depends on profile, fitting and condition.
Cut#: A shot in which the cue ball strikes the object ball off-centre to send it at an angle. Thinner cuts send the object ball at sharper angles.

D

D#: The semicircle drawn on the baulk line of a snooker table, from which the cue ball is played after a break-off or a pot. On a full-size table its radius is 292 mm (11½ in). Snooker table sizes →
Damp-proof membrane#: A plastic sheet within or under a floor that stops ground moisture rising. Missing or damaged membranes are common in older garages and can harm tables. Garage games room →
Dartboard cabinet#: A wall-mounted cabinet with doors that close over the board. It adds storage and a tidy finish but usually protects less wall than a surround. Dartboard buying guide →
Dartboard light#: A lighting ring or overhead fitting that lights the board evenly so darts do not cast heavy shadows across the segments. Dartboard buying guide →
Dead cushion#: A cushion whose rubber has hardened or come loose, so balls rebound weakly or unevenly. It is usually fixed by re-rubbering or re-fitting.
Dehumidifier#: A machine that draws moisture from the air. It can help protect tables and cloth in garages and outbuildings prone to damp. Garage games room →
Delivery route#: The complete path from the delivery vehicle to the final position, including gates, doors, hallways, stairs, corners and ceiling height. Pool table buying guide →
Diagonal measurement#: A corner-to-corner room measurement used to check squareness or confirm a darts setup. It should support, not replace, the main horizontal measurements. Dartboard height and distance →
Diamond rack#: A diamond-shaped frame used to rack the balls for nine-ball. It is a different shape from the triangle used for eight-ball and snooker.
Door swing#: The arc a door covers as it opens. A door opening into the room can eat into cueing or playing space. Pool table room size →
Double#: In cue sports, a shot in which the object ball bounces off a cushion before entering a pocket. In darts, a double is a segment in the doubles ring.
Doubles ring#: The narrow outer scoring ring on a dartboard, worth twice the segment number. Many games must be finished on a double.
Drop pocket#: A pool or snooker pocket that holds balls beneath the opening instead of sending them through a ball-return system.

E

Eight-ball#: A pool game in which each player pots one group of balls before the 8 or black. UK pub pool uses its own variants, often called blackball rules.
Electronic scorer#: A powered scoring unit that counts goals automatically. It usually needs the same power supply as the blower. Air hockey tables →
English pool#: Pool played on smaller tables, commonly 6ft or 7ft, usually with 2-inch object balls and a slightly smaller cue ball. Also called eight-ball or blackball pool in the UK. Pool table buying guide →

F

Ferrule#: The collar at the tip end of a cue shaft that supports the leather tip. Ferrules are usually brass on snooker cues and fibre or plastic on many pool cues.
Fitter#: A specialist who assembles and levels cue-sports tables. Many slate tables should only be installed by a fitter. Pool table buying guide →
Flight#: The fin at the back of a dart that steadies it in the air. Flights come in different shapes and sizes and wear out with use. Dartboard buying guide →
Floor finish#: The surface underfoot: carpet, laminate, rubber, vinyl or concrete. Choose a stable, non-slip finish; for darts, a mat helps protect both the floor and dart points. Garage games room →
Floor loading#: The weight a floor must safely support, including the table and people around it. Ask a structural engineer about heavy tables on suspended or upper floors. Slate vs MDF →
Foul#: A breach of the rules, such as potting the cue ball or hitting the wrong ball first. Penalties differ between snooker, English pool and American pool.
Frame#: A single game of pool or snooker, from the break-off to the final pot or concession. In table construction, frame also means the structure supporting the bed.
Free ball#: In snooker, a ball a player may nominate as the ball on after a foul leaves them snookered. The free ball scores the same as a red.
Full-size table tennis table#: A table with a 2.74 m by 1.525 m playing top, 0.76 m above the floor. Playing space is needed beyond that footprint. Table tennis space →
Fused spur#: A wired-in electrical connection with its own fuse, often used for fixed equipment. Any new electrical work should be carried out by a qualified electrician. Air hockey tables →

G

Glare#: Bright light shining directly into the eyes or reflecting off the playing surface. Shades, careful mounting heights and diffused fittings reduce it. Garage games room →
Goalkeeper rod#: The rod nearest each goal in table football, holding the goalkeeper. Some tables have one figure on it, others three. Multi-game tables →

I

In-off#: A shot in which the cue ball goes into a pocket after striking another ball. In billiards it scores points; in pool and snooker it is a foul.
Insulation#: Material that slows heat loss through walls, floors, ceilings and doors. It helps keep a garage games room warm, dry and comfortable all year. Garage games room →
Inverted rubber#: A table tennis rubber with the pimples facing inwards and a smooth surface outwards. It gives plenty of grip for spin and is the most common type.

J

Jointed cue#: A cue that separates into two pieces for transport. A three-quarter jointed cue splits near the butt, a common style for snooker cues.
Joist#: A horizontal beam supporting a suspended floor. Joist size, spacing and span all affect how much load the floor can safely carry. Slate vs MDF →
Jump shot#: A shot that makes the cue ball leave the cloth to clear another ball. Rules differ, and poorly played jump shots can damage the cloth.

K

Kerbside delivery#: Delivery that ends at the edge of the property. The buyer must move the goods inside, so check whether installation or room-of-choice delivery costs extra. Pool table buying guide →
Kiss#: A contact between two balls, often an unplanned second contact that sends a ball off line.

L

Lead time#: The time between ordering and delivery. Made-to-order tables and special cloth colours can take several weeks. Pool table buying guide →
Let#: In table tennis, a rally that is replayed without a point being scored, such as a serve that touches the net and then lands correctly. Table tennis rules →
Levelling system#: Adjustable feet, leg levellers or frame adjustments used to make the playing surface level. These cannot correct an unsuitable or unstable floor.
Long pimples#: A table tennis rubber with long, thin pimples facing outwards. It returns spin in unusual ways and suits defensive styles.
Lux#: The unit of illuminance: how much light falls on a surface. Brighter, even light across the playing area makes play easier. Garage games room →

M

Maple#: A pale hardwood with a fine, even grain, widely used for American pool cue shafts.
MDF bed#: A bed made from medium-density fibreboard or a similar wood-based panel. It is lighter and cheaper than slate but more sensitive to moisture and movement. Slate vs MDF →
Miss#: In snooker, a call made by the referee when a player fails to hit the ball on and is judged not to have made a good enough attempt. The opponent can ask for the balls to be replaced.
Mounting bracket#: The fixing that holds a dartboard on the wall, usually a central bracket or screw. Fix it securely so the bullseye sits at the correct height. Dartboard height and distance →
Multi-game table#: A table that converts between several games, such as pool, air hockey and table tennis. It saves floor space at the cost of some playing quality. Multi-game tables →

N

Nap#: The directional surface of traditional woollen cue-sports cloth. Brushing and ironing practices should follow the cloth maker’s instructions.
Napless cloth#: A worsted cloth with a smooth, non-directional surface. It plays the same in both directions and is common on American-style pool tables.
Net and post set#: The net, posts and clamps fitted across a table tennis table. The net top should be 15.25 cm above the playing surface. Table tennis space →
Nine-ball#: An American pool game played with balls numbered 1 to 9. Players must hit the lowest-numbered ball first, and the game is won by potting the 9.
Nominal size#: The label used to describe a table, such as 7ft or 12ft. It refers loosely to length and is not a precise measurement; always check the playing area and cabinet dimensions. Pool table sizes →
Number ring#: The removable ring of numbers around a dartboard. Lifting it off lets the board be rotated while the 20 stays at the top. Dartboard buying guide →

O

Object ball#: Any ball other than the cue ball that a player is trying to hit or pot.
Obstruction#: Anything that cuts into playing space, such as a radiator, door swing, pillar, window sill, low beam or sloping ceiling. Measure from the obstruction, not the wall. Pool table room size →
Oche#: The line behind which a darts player stands. For steel-tip darts, distance is measured horizontally from the face of the board to the back of the raised oche or the throw line. Dartboard height and distance →
Oche mat#: A floor mat marked with the throw line and board distance. It protects the floor from dropped darts and makes the setup quick to repeat. Dartboard height and distance →

P

Pimples-out rubber#: A table tennis rubber with short pimples facing outwards. It is less sensitive to an opponent’s spin, at the cost of some spin of its own.
Pinch point#: The narrowest or tightest part of a delivery route, such as a gate, stair turn or doorway. It decides whether a table can be delivered in one piece. Pool table buying guide →
Planning permission#: Consent from the local planning authority for some building work. Many internal garage conversions do not need it, but restrictions can apply; check before starting. Garage games room →
Plant#: A shot in which the cue ball sends one object ball into another to pot the second.
Playing area#: The usable surface inside the cushions, lines or boundaries. It is smaller than the cabinet footprint and is the starting point for playing-clearance calculations. Room size checker →
Pocket opening#: The width of a pocket mouth, measured between the cushion noses. Tighter pockets make potting harder; check whether a table suits the balls you plan to use.
Pool dining table#: A pool table supplied with a flat top so it can double as a dining table. Check the top’s weight, storage and whether seating heights suit both uses. Multi-game tables →
Puck#: The flat disc struck in air hockey. Pucks wear and crack, so check that replacements in the correct size are available. Air hockey tables →
Push-out#: In nine-ball, a special shot after the break in which the player may move the cue ball to a new position without needing to hit a ball. The opponent then chooses who plays next.
Pyramid spot#: The spot on a snooker table where the apex red of the triangle of reds is placed. The reds are racked behind it, towards the top cushion. Snooker table sizes →

R

Rail#: The top frame of a pool table around the cushions. In American usage, rail can also mean the cushion itself.
Rally#: A sequence of shots from the serve until a point is won. Longer rallies need more space behind each end of the table. Table tennis space →
RCD#: A residual current device: a safety switch that cuts power quickly when it detects a fault. Garage and outdoor circuits commonly need RCD protection; ask a qualified electrician. Garage games room →
Re-covering#: Replacing the cloth on the bed and cushions. It is normally done by a table fitter, who can check and re-level the bed at the same time. Pool table buying guide →
Re-spotted black#: A tie-break in snooker: the black is placed on its spot, and the first player to pot it or make a foul ends the frame.
Reds and yellows#: The two groups of object balls in English pool, alongside the black and the cue ball. American pool uses solids and stripes instead. Pool table buying guide →
Return system#: Channels inside a table that carry potted balls to a collection point. Check that the mechanism remains accessible for jams and maintenance.
Rollaway table#: A table tennis table that folds and rolls on castors for storage. Check the folded dimensions and the safety lock before buying. Table tennis space →
Room-of-choice delivery#: Delivery where the crew carries the item to a named room. It may not include unpacking or assembly; confirm what the service covers. Pool table buying guide →
Rubber#: The covering on each face of a table tennis bat, often a pimpled sheet over a sponge layer. Rubbers wear and lose grip over time.

S

Safety shot#: A shot played to leave the opponent in a difficult position rather than to pot a ball.
Scoreboard#: A wall-mounted board for keeping score in snooker or billiards. Fit it outside the cueing zone so players do not catch it with the cue butt. Pool table room size →
Screw#: Backspin applied by striking the cue ball below centre, making it draw back after contact. American players call it draw.
Second-hand table#: A used table bought privately or from a dealer. Budget for dismantling, transport, re-covering and professional re-levelling. Pool table buying guide →
Shaft#: The section of a dart between the barrel and the flight, also called a stem. Shafts come in different lengths and materials. Dartboard buying guide →
Shim#: A thin packer used under a slate bed or table leg during levelling. Shimming is part of a fitter’s installation, not a fix for an unsuitable floor. Slate vs MDF →
Short cue#: A cue shorter than the usual 57–58 inches, often 48 or 36 inches. It can help at one tight wall but is a compromise, not full clearance. Pool table room size →
Side#: Sidespin applied by striking the cue ball left or right of centre. American players call it English.
Side lines#: White lines along the edges of a table tennis playing surface. Under the international rules they are 2 cm wide. Table tennis space →
Sights#: Markers set into the rails of a pool table at regular intervals, often called diamonds. Players use them to plan bank shots and positional play.
Slate bed#: A bed made from one or more pieces of stone, precision levelled during installation. Slate is stable and heavy, so access and floor loading matter. Slate vs MDF →
Slate thickness#: The depth of a slate bed, often quoted in millimetres or fractions of an inch. Thicker slate is heavier; compare it alongside the frame design rather than on its own. Slate vs MDF →
Snookered#: The position in which a player cannot hit the ball on in a straight line because another ball blocks the path.
Snookers required#: In snooker, the position when a player is behind by more than the points left on the table and needs the opponent to give away fouls to win. Snooker points calculator →
Socket position#: Where power outlets are in relation to the table. Powered tables need a nearby socket; avoid trailing leads across walkways and ask an electrician if new outlets are needed. Air hockey tables →
Soft-tip dartboard#: An electronic board with small holes that hold plastic-tipped darts and score automatically. Throw distances can differ from steel-tip; check the board maker’s or league’s rules. Dartboard buying guide →
Solid floor#: A ground floor laid directly on the ground, usually concrete. It generally suits heavy tables better than a suspended timber floor, but must still be level and dry. Garage games room →
Solids and stripes#: The two groups of object balls in American pool: balls 1 to 7 are solid colours and 9 to 15 are striped.
Spider#: On a dartboard, the wire framework dividing the scoring segments; thinner, staple-free wiring is intended to reduce bounce-outs. In snooker, a spider is also a raised cue rest. Dartboard buying guide →
Spirit level#: A tool for checking whether a surface is level. Check across the length, width and diagonals of the table, and re-check after the table has settled. Slate vs MDF →
Splice#: The joint where the butt wood meets the shaft wood on a cue. Hand-spliced cues show distinctive points of the darker wood.
Sponge thickness#: The thickness of the sponge layer under a table tennis rubber, usually quoted in millimetres. Thicker sponge generally adds speed; thinner sponge adds control.
Spots#: Marked positions on a snooker table where the colours are placed at the start of a frame and re-spotted after being potted. Snooker table sizes →
Steel-tip darts#: Darts with a metal point for use on bristle boards. They should not be used on electronic soft-tip boards. Dartboard buying guide →
Striker#: The handheld paddle used in air hockey, also called a mallet or pusher. Match strikers to the table size. Air hockey tables →
Structural engineer#: A professional who assesses whether a floor or structure can safely carry a load. Consult one before putting a heavy table on an upper or suspended floor. Slate vs MDF →
Stun#: A shot that stops or nearly stops the cue ball on contact with the object ball. It is played by striking the cue ball at or just below centre.
Surround#: A ring, usually foam or rubber, fitted around a dartboard to catch stray darts and protect the wall. Dartboard buying guide →
Suspended floor#: A floor supported on joists over a void, common upstairs and in many older ground floors. It may flex under concentrated loads; seek advice for heavy tables. Slate vs MDF →
Swan#: A snooker rest with a long, curved neck, used to reach over a ball and further across the table. Using snooker rests →

T

Table brush#: A soft brush for removing chalk and dust from cue-sports cloth. Brush in the direction recommended by the cloth maker.
Table cover#: A fitted cover that keeps dust, drinks and sunlight off the cloth when the table is not in use. Covers are worth budgeting for in shared rooms. Pool table buying guide →
Table football#: A tabletop game with rows of figures fixed to rotating rods, also called foosball. Allow space at both sides for the players and the rod ends. Multi-game tables →
Table footprint#: The outside floor area occupied by the table itself. It does not include cueing, serving, walking or player space. Room size checker →
Table light#: A fitting hung over a cue-sports table to light the playing surface evenly. Hang it high enough to clear cues and heads, and avoid glare in players’ eyes. Garage games room →
Table shuffleboard#: A long, narrow table game in which players slide weighted pucks towards the far end. Tables can be very long, so check the full length and route in.
Table tennis ball#: A hollow ball 40 mm in diameter and weighing 2.7 g under the international rules. Star ratings on packs indicate the maker’s quality grade. Table tennis space →
Table tennis playback position#: A folded position with one half of the table upright so one player can practise. Confirm the maker permits it and lock the table as instructed. Table tennis space →
Table tennis playing space#: The clear area around a table needed for play. Competition halls use far more space than any home; plan your space around how you will actually play. Table tennis space →
Taper#: How a cue shaft narrows from the butt to the tip. The taper affects how the cue feels through the bridge hand.
Telescopic rods#: Table football rods that slide inside each other so they do not stick out from the far side of the table. They are a sensible choice where children play. Multi-game tables →
Three-piece slate#: A slate bed supplied in three sections that are joined, sealed and levelled on site. It is easier to carry through a house than a single slab. Slate vs MDF →
Tip hardness#: How firm a cue tip is, usually sold as soft, medium or hard. Softer tips grip more and wear faster; harder tips last longer. Cue care →
Tip size#: The diameter of a cue tip, usually in millimetres. Snooker cues typically use smaller tips than pool cues, matching the size of the balls.
Ton#: A score of 100 or more with three darts.
Top thickness#: The thickness of a table tennis playing top, usually quoted in millimetres. Thicker indoor tops generally give a more consistent bounce; compare like with like. Table tennis space →
Topspin#: Forward spin applied by striking the cue ball above centre, so it follows the object ball. American players call it follow.
Touching ball#: In snooker, a position in which the cue ball rests against a ball that is on or could be on. The player must play away without moving that ball.
Tournament size#: A phrase that can be ambiguous in retail listings. Check the exact playing-area and cabinet measurements against the relevant governing-body specification.
Training robot#: A machine that feeds table tennis balls to a player for practice. Allow space for it at one end and for collecting balls. Table tennis space →
Trebles ring#: The narrow inner scoring ring on a dartboard, worth three times the segment number. Treble 20 is the highest-scoring single dart.
Triangle#: The frame used to rack the balls at the start of a frame. Pool and snooker use different ball sizes, so the triangle must match the set.
Tungsten darts#: Darts with barrels made from a tungsten alloy. Tungsten’s density allows slimmer barrels; the percentage shows how much tungsten the alloy contains. Dartboard buying guide →
Two visits#: A penalty in traditional English pub pool: after a foul, the opponent gets two turns at the table. Blackball rules usually give ball in hand instead. English pool rules →

U

Undercarriage#: The frame, legs and wheels beneath a folding table. A sturdier undercarriage generally makes a table steadier and safer to fold. Table tennis space →
Underfloor heating#: A heating system built into the floor. Check the maker’s guidance on heavy loads and point loads before standing a heavy table on it. Garage games room →

V

Ventilation#: The supply of fresh air to a room. It reduces condensation and stale air, particularly in converted garages and outbuildings. Garage games room →

W

Warranty#: A maker’s or retailer’s promise to repair or replace faulty goods for a set period. It adds to, rather than replaces, your statutory consumer rights. Pool table buying guide →
Weatherproof top#: An outdoor table tennis top made from materials such as aluminium composite or melamine resin, designed to withstand rain and sun. Store it covered when not in use. Table tennis space →