Definition

Noun: 1. A pocket located on the side rail of a billiard or pool table: In cue sports like pool or billiards, a "side pocket" is one of the six openings (or holes) on the table into which balls are struck. Specifically, it refers to any of the four pockets positioned at the midpoints of the longer side rails, as opposed to the corner pockets.

Usage

The term "side pocket" is used specifically in the context of billiards, pool, and related cue sports to describe the table's equipment and the strategy of the game. - He skillfully banked the eight ball into the side pocket to win the match. - The side pockets on this table seem a bit tighter than the corner ones.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a shot on the side pocket": To have an opportunity to pot a ball into a side pocket.
  • After the break, she had a clear shot on the side pocket.
• Strategic Reference: In strategy discussions, players often specify "side pocket" versus "corner pocket" due to different angles and levels of difficulty.
  • For this safety shot, leaving the cue ball near the side pocket is ideal.

Variants and Related Words

• Corner Pocket (noun): A pocket located at any of the four corners of a billiard table.
• Pocket (noun): The general term for any of the openings on a billiard table.
• Rail (noun): The cushioned border of a billiard table, on which the side pockets are mounted.

Synonyms

• Side hole (less common, informal)

Related Phrases

• "To pocket a ball in the side": To successfully strike a ball so it goes into a side pocket.
  • He needs to pocket the striped ball in the side to continue his run.

Noun

1. a pocket on the side of a billiard table