Cross-Side Meaning in Billiards

A cross-side is a specific bank shot where the object ball is kicked into a side pocket. The ball travels across the width of the table, hits the opposite rail, and bounces back into the side hole. This is one of the most common and useful bank shots to learn for intermediate players. It is often easier to execute than a corner bank because the side pocket is a wider target. For example, a player banks the six ball off the long rail and into the opposite side pocket to stay on their run. This move requires understanding the ‘mirror’ angle of the table’s width. It is a staple of strategic eight-ball and nine-ball play.