# Billiards

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billiards/494735>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 29, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billiards/494735 "2009-04-29T15:26:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![hays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@hays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hays)\
**Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billiards/494735/1 "2009-04-29T15:26:17Z")

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In coin-operated pool tables how is the cue ball differentiated so that it goes to the bottom end while the object balls go to the other end for the next rack?

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**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\
**Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billiards/494735/2 "2009-04-29T15:50:38Z")

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> **[How does a coin-op pool table know to return the cue ball when you scratch?](https://www.straightdope.com/21343340/how-does-a-coin-op-pool-table-know-to-return-the-cue-ball-when-you-scratch)**
>
> A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD