Face of Cushion Meaning in Billiards

The face of the cushion is the inner vertical edge of the rail that the balls actually strike. It is covered in the same cloth as the table bed and hides the triangular rubber bumper underneath. The angle and condition of the face determine how the ball will bounce and how much spin it will keep. For example, a ball hitting the face of the cushion at a sharp angle will reflect across the table toward the opposite rail. Understanding how the ball interacts with this specific surface is key to mastering bank and kick shots. It is the primary boundary of the playing area.