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Legal - Billiard Term Definition

Welcome to the billiard, pool, and snooker glossary of terms. This is the definition of Legal as it relates to cue sports. You can also view the entire billiard dictionary

Definition of Legal

Legal is a billiards term that is a part of Game Rule Terminology.

The meaning of the term legal in cue sports is very similar to the meaning in many other sports. As in many other sports, the term legal means not causing or likely to cause a foul. A legal hit is one in which the requirements for a non-foul hit are met. For example, in nine ball, the lowest-numbered ball on the table was hit by the cue ball first, and at least one object ball was pocketed, or any ball reached a cushion, after the hit on the first object ball. A legal shot is one in which no foul of any kind was involved. For example, if there was not a double hit by the cue, the player's bridge hand did not move a ball, etc. A legal stroke is one in which the cue stroke obeyed the applicable rules. For example, if the shooter did not perform an illegal jump shot by scooping under the cue ball with the cue tip. A legal ball is a ball-on, an object ball at which it is permissible for the player to shoot. And so on. The term can be used in many ways consistent with these examples. (&Quot;legal pocket" in one-pocket, "legal equipment" under tournament specifications, etc.)

Legal - Usage

Your inning is over because your last stroke was not legal.

Billiards - Legal

  • Title: Legal
  • Author: (Billiards Forum)
  • Published: 8/16/2008 11:08:31 AM

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