Cue & Cushion

Balk is current nomenclature of two sports. Baseball pitchers make a false motion to throw (called a balk); opponents are allowed to advance one base. Not so in billiards. In high class championship play, lines on the green cloth tablebed are drawn parallel to and 18 inches from the cushions. When two of the object balls are driven into any of the eight spaces bounded by these lines and the rectangles of their intersection such balls are "in balk."

Famed championships are played at 18.2 balkline. This...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!