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Nap - Billiard Term Definition

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

Definition of Nap

Nap is a billiards term that is a part of Pool Table Terminology.

Nap is a term that is used to reference the directional pile that is created from the fuzzy and shot ends of the fibers on the surface of the pool table cloth. Nap is significant and of interest to billiard players because it can have an effect, either positive or negative, on the direction of rolling balls. Thus, it is imperative that billiard players understand the effect that nap has on the direction of the rolling balls. Nap also applies to the brushing of the cloth on billiard tables that use directional nap cloth. The standard convention is to brush the cloth in the same direction of the nap. If the cloth was installed properly, it should run in direction from the end of the table where the break shot takes place to the end where the rack sits. Nap can cause creep to take place in the direction of the nap. The nap has the largest negative effect on a slow rolling shot toward the center pocket against the nap. For billiard tables using cloth that has no directional nap pile, such as woven cloth that is typically found in North America, the term nap refers to the fuzzy nature of the cloth.

See: table cloth, cloth, felt, baize, bays for more on the meaning of "Nap".

Nap - Usage

I hate the nap of the cloth. What direction does the nap go on this billiard table?

Billiards - Nap

  • Title: Nap
  • Author: (Billiards Forum)
  • Published: 1/5/2008 12:34:08 PM

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