Skittle - Billiard Term Definition

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Definition of Skittle

Skittle is a billiards term that is a part of Billiard Accessory Terminology.

A skittle is an pin that stands upright and that looks like small bowling pins. South American and Italian skittles generally come in one standardized size, which is 25mm or 1 inch tall with a width of 7mm or 0.28 Inches at the round base. It should be noted that larger variants have indeed existed for some time, such as those skittles used in Danish pin billiards. Different games call for different numbers of skittles. Some games require one skittle, and some, several. Each skittle which may be targets intended for striking via a carom, or they may be obstacles that need be avoided by the shooting player. Each skittle or group of skittles may also be called a pin or a group of pins.

See: pin, pins, skittles, birilli, birillo for more on the meaning of "Skittle".

Skittle - Usage

I just can't seem to get the ball around or past the skittle that is sitting in the middle of the pool or billiard table.

Skittle - Origin and History

Skittles have been called as such since 1634 AD.

Billiards - Skittle

• Billiard Accessory Glossary of Terms
• Billiard Terms Glossary

• Title: Skittle
• Author: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
• Published: 12/28/2007 11:21:49 PM

Skittle Comments

1. rancola from Colombo, Western Province on 7/6/2010 5:23:53 AM

   Is there any game that can be played with skittles? Here is what I remember of the skittles game but I can't remember any more specifics.

   The skittles are assigned marks as follows:

   • two 1's
   • two 2's
   • one 3
   • two 4's
   • one 5
   • one 10
   • one 6 with a devil
   • one single devil

   These are then arranged in eleven places. Three balls (red, green, and yellow) are used to play the game.

   Please help me. I need to know the rest.

2. billiardsforum from Halifax, NS on 8/30/2016 6:48:53 AM

   See the following:

   • Canadian Skittle Billiard Rules - Lots of notes on skittle billiard games and explanations of a number of variants of the game.
   • What are Skittles for Billiards - Alternate definition of skittles for a pool table and if you look in the comments you will see some more explanation of how to play skittles.

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