billiard cue![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Long wooden stick that the player holds to hit the cue ball; the player chooses the cue’s diameter, length and weight (no more than 25 oz).
butt ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Wide part of the cue; players choose the diameter that best fits their hands.
shaft ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Tapered part of the cue on which the player places the fingers to line up the shot.
tip ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Round piece of leather or felt on the end of the cue for hitting the cue ball; it is also the only component that can touch a ball.
ferrule ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Piece of hard plastic at the front end of the cue to support the tip.
joint ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Cylindrical part for joining the shaft with the butt of a collapsible cue.
rack ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Triangular piece of wood or plastic for lining up the balls on the table at the start of a game.
chalk ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Small cube of chalky powder that is rubbed onto the tip of the cue to improve contact with the cue ball.
bridge ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Stick with a toothed head for shooting with the cue when the cue ball is out of the player’s reach.
endpiece ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Piece of toothed metal to support and guide the cue.
notch ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Space between the teeth on which the cue’s shaft is placed.
shaft ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Long part of the bridge; the endpiece is attached to it.