The spelling of the word "cue sport" is often confusing for English speakers. It is pronounced as /kjuː spɔːt/, with the first syllable pronounced like "cue" as in billiards, and the second syllable pronounced like "sport." The word "cue" comes from the French cue, meaning "tail," and refers to the stick used to strike the ball in games like pool or snooker. "Sport" comes from the Old French word desport, which means "pastime" or "entertainment." Together, "cue sport" refers to any game played with a cue and balls.
Cue sport, also known as billiards, is a broad term that encompasses a variety of games played on a large rectangular table covered with a smooth cloth and bounded by cushioned rails. It is a competitive indoor sport typically involving the strategic skill of using a cue stick to strike and manipulate a set of balls, aiming to achieve desired outcomes and score points.
Games falling under the umbrella of cue sports include popular variants such as pool, snooker, and carom billiards. Pool games, such as eight-ball and nine-ball, involve pocketing colored balls with the use of a white cue ball to score points. Snooker, on the other hand, involves a larger table and more balls with different point values, where players aim to pocket them in a specific order. Carom billiards, also known as three-cushion billiards, requires striking both object balls and cushions, using angles in an effort to accumulate points.
Cue sports demand a combination of skill, precision, calculation, and strategy. Players utilize their expertise in aiming, applying appropriate force, and controlling the cue ball's movement after striking the object balls. Additionally, players must possess a strong understanding of angles, spin, and deflection to master the intricacies of shot making and positioning throughout a game. Cue sports are typically played competitively, with formal tournaments held at both amateur and professional levels, attracting enthusiasts and enthusiasts alike.
The word "cue" in cue sport comes from the French word "queue", which means "tail". It originally referred to the tail end of a billiards or pool cue, the stick used to strike the balls. The word "queue" was borrowed into English in the early 18th century, and over time, it came to refer to the game itself as well as the stick. The term "cue sport" emerged to categorize various games played with cues, such as billiards, pool, and snooker.