baulk line

British  

noun

1. Also called: string line.  a straight line across a billiard table behind which the cue balls are placed at the start of a game

2. 1. one of four lines parallel to the cushions dividing the table into a central panel and eight smaller ones (the baulks)

   2. a type of game using these lines as restrictions

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Example Sentences

In the championship tables the baulk line was only 28 in. from the cushion, and the radius of the D was reduced to 9� and afterwards to 10 in., the spot being 12� in. from the top cushion.

From Project Gutenberg

The baulk line and the D are marked either with chalk, tailors’ pipeclay, or an ordinary lead pencil; no other marks appear on the table.

From Project Gutenberg

The players standing behind the baulk line, strike each a ball from the semicircle up to the top cushion, and he whose ball on its return stops nearest the bottom cushion has the choice of lead and balls.

From Project Gutenberg

In this game the baulk is no protection; that is to say, the player can pocket any ball wherever it lies, either within or without the baulk line, and whether the white be in hand or not.

From Project Gutenberg

When the striker loses a life, the next in rotation plays at the ball nearest his own; but if the player’s ball happen to be in hand, he plays at the ball nearest to the centre spot on the baulk line, whether it be in or out of baulk.

From Project Gutenberg