Snookered! 台球，我玩斯诺克 For some it is a career, for others a pastime. It requires skill, patience and precision. This issue of Sport explores the world of Snooker. Read on to learn more about this fascinating sport. 对有些人来讲，它是一项职业，对其他人来说，它却是一个消遣方式。
它需要技术、耐心和准确性。而本期的《运动网》就将在斯诺克台球的天地中畅游一番。读读下面的文章吧，以便更多地了解一下这项迷人的运动。
Lingo 术语
Some of the most important snooker terms:
一些最重要的斯诺克台球术语：
Angles - the lines created to the pockets between balls
角度 – 在球袋和球之间形成的线路
Break - a sequence of scoring shots - the number of points scored in one go
一杆球 – 连续击球得分，即击打一杆后所得的总分
Backspin - the effect of striking the cue ball below centre
缩杆 – 击打主球球心以下的位置后所产生的结果
Baulk Line - the line upon which the yellow, green and brown spots are positioned
发球线 – 黄球、绿球和棕球置点之前的那道线
Break Off - the first shot of the match, played with the cue ball in the 'D'
开球 – 比赛中开出的第一杆，此杆要击打开球区中的主球
Bottle - the term given to a player's ability to ①cope with pressure
抗压力 – 用来形容选手承受压力能力的术语
Chalk - the substance used on the cue tip providing grip between the leather and the cue ball
滑石粉 – 在球杆杆头使用的物质，其作用是加大皮头和主球之间的摩擦
Cue - wooden implement used for playing
球杆 – 用于比赛的木制用具
Cue Ball - the 'white' ball; the only ball struck with the cue
主球 – “白”球；唯一可以用球杆击打的球
Cushion - rubber surrounds covered with baize
台岸 – 外覆粗呢的橡胶边岸
'D' - the semi-circle on the baulk line from which all starting strokes must be played
开球区 – 发球线上的半圆形区域，所有的开杆都必须在这一区域完成
Extension - fitted to the butt of the cue, providing additional cue length
加长杆 – 接在球杆杆尾，以便增加球杆长度
Foul Stroke - a shot or action that infringes the rules, incurring a penalty
犯规击球 – 将会受到惩罚的违规击球或行为
Free Ball - the option to play at and pot any ball, awarded after a foul shot ends in a snooker
自由球 – 在斯诺克比赛中，在（对方）出现犯规击球后获得的选择权，既可以任意击打一个球，也可以随意把一个球击进球袋
Maximum - a scoring sequence in which the player scores the maximum of 147 points
满杆 – 连续得分，直到选手打出147分的满杆
Miscue - incorrect striking of the cue ball
滑杆 – 击打主球时的失误杆
Object Ball - the target ball
目标球 – 作为目标的球
Pocket - the holes created for the balls to be potted into
球袋 – 为使球落袋而设置的球洞
Side Spin - the effect of striking the cue ball off centre
偏杆 – 击打主球球心偏侧位置后所产生的结果
Snooker - when the object ball is obstructed, making it difficult for your opponent to make a legal shot
障碍球 – 目标球被其它球阻挡，使对手难于在不违规的情况下击球
Spider - implement for cueing over another ball
三角架 – 用于架在另一只球上方以便挥杆击球的用具
Top Spin - the spin placed on the white when struck at the top
高杆 – 击打白球上方后达到的旋转效果
It Takes Balls 比赛用球
A standard set of balls for the snooker table consists of 15 reds, 6 colours and 1 white / cue ball. Historically, snooker balls were made exclusively from heavy ivory. Thankfully, these quickly became a thing of the past and were replaced before the Second World War by lighter Crystallite balls made from the crushed shin bones of cows. Today, snooker balls are entirely made from synthetic materials.
一套标准的斯诺克台球用球由15只红色球、6只彩色球和一只白/主球组成。历史上，斯诺克用球只能用沉重的象牙来制造。谢天谢地，这很快就成为了历史，在第二次世界大战之前，更为轻便的微晶球取而代之，它们由碾碎的母牛胫骨制成。而如今，斯诺克用球全部是用合成材料来制造。
Mind Your Manners! 礼仪至上
In much the same way as golf, snooker demands high standards of etiquette and behavior from all players, at all levels, at all times. This applies in the same way to a local league match as it does to a big game in a professional tournament.
与高尔夫差不多，斯诺克要求选手在任何级别的比赛上、在任何时候都要具备高标准的礼仪举止。无论是在地方联赛上，还是在职业联赛中的高级别赛事上，这一规定均适用。
1. Shake hands with an opponent at the start and end of a match.
在比赛开始和结束时，要和对手握手。
2. Shake hands with the referee at the start and end of a match.
在比赛开始和结束时，要和裁判握手。
3. Declare all your own fouls, at all times.
无论何时，都要将自己所有的犯规行为进行申报。
4. Do not stand in line of an opponent's shot.
不能站在对手的击球线上。
5. Do not volunteer remarks about an opponent's luck whilst a match is ②in progress.
在比赛仍在进行时，不能随意对对手的运气进行评论。
6. Do not complain about playing conditions whilst a match is in progress.
在比赛仍在进行时，不能对比赛形势表达不满。
7. Do not strike matches or lighters, and try to avoid coughing whilst your opponent is at the table.
当你的对手在台面击球时，不能划火柴或点燃打火机，另外要避免咳嗽出声。
8. Do not concede a frame or match when you have missed a shot or whilst your opponent is still at the table. Wait for your opponent to finish their visit before conceding.
在某盘或某场比赛中，当你击失一杆或你的对手仍在台面击球时，不能认输。等到你的对手击完球后，方可认输。
9. Do not argue with the referee or your opponent.
不能与裁判或你的对手进行争论。
Alternatives 换个玩法
Here's a cool alternative game that can be played on a snooker table. It's called Killer.
在斯诺克球案上还可以进行另一个有趣的游戏。那就是Killer游戏。
This game is best played in groups of five or more. Set all 22 balls up in a triangle beneath the pink spot. Players then toss coins or are drawn out to decide an order of play. Each player is awarded a number of 'lives', which is normally three but may differ dependent on the number of participants. Once an order of play is established a neutral person is asked to break the balls as hard as they can to open them up around the table. Player one then comes to the table and plays from where the white ball finishes. Player one must pot a ball as failure to do so will result in the loss of one of their lives. Player two then begins from the place the white ball has finished and so on. Play rotates after each player has had their shot. Once a player has lost all their lives they are removed from the game. The game progresses until all but one player has lost all lives given to them. They are then declared the winner. A foul (normal snooker rules apply) results in the loss of a player's life.
这个游戏最好有5个或5个以上的游戏者。在粉球置点的下面，把所有的22只球摆放成一个三角形。游戏者可以抛掷硬币或抽签来决定进行游戏的顺序。每个游戏者可以获得几条“命”，通常是3条，但根据参与者数量的不同可以有所调整。一旦确定了游戏顺序，就请一个旁观者来开球，开球时他/她要尽力把球击散到台面各处。然后，第一个出场的游戏者走到球案，从白球停落的位置上开始击球。第一个出场的游戏者必须击进一个球，不然就会失去一条“命”。之后，第二个出场的游戏者从白球停落的位置上开始游戏，并依次进行下去。当所有游戏者都打过一轮后，游戏接着按顺序进行下去。当某名游戏者丢了所有的“命”以后，他/她就被淘汰出局。游戏一直要进行到只有一名游戏者留了下来而其他人都丢掉了他们的“命”。之后，他/她将被宣布为获胜者。游戏者犯规（一般的斯诺克规则所规定的）一次就将丢掉一条“命”。
Tournaments 赛事概览
Here are some of the most popular types of professional snooker tournaments.
以下是几类最常见的斯诺克职业联赛。
Ranking Tournaments 排位赛
The top players in world rankings are automatically qualified for these types of tournaments. Other players have to struggle through the qualifying rounds to get a place. The better a player's ranking, the fewer matches he has to play to reach the main circuit. Rookies have to start in round one. The World Championship and the British Open are two of the most prestigious ranking tournaments.
世界排名最高的选手们自动获得参加这类比赛的资格。而其他选手则必须努力通过资格赛，以便获取参赛席位。选手的排名越高，他为参加高级别赛事而打的比赛就越少。新手们则必须从第一轮比赛开始打起。“世界锦标赛”和“英国公开赛”是声望最大的两个排位赛。
Invitational Tournaments 邀请赛
These tournaments are reserved for a privileged group of players. Usually, the best ranked players will receive invitations. The organizers also like to invite some promising young players. The Benson and Hedges Masters and the Benson and hedges Irish masters are the top invitational tournaments of the season.
这类赛事是为特定选手而设。通常，排名最高的选手们将会获得邀请。主办方也喜欢邀请一些有潜力的年轻选手来参赛。“B&H大师赛”和“B&H爱尔兰大师赛”是本赛季的顶级邀请赛。
Pro-Ams 职业业余混合赛
These tournaments were originally for amateurs only but are now open to professional players not ranked in the top 96. The best example of pro-ams tournaments is the Under-21 World Championship.
这类赛事原本只是为业余选手而设，但现在也向排名在96名之外的职业选手开放。能最好地说明何为职业业余混合赛的就是“世界青年（U21）台球锦标赛”。
World Rankings 世界排名
The following are provisional rankings for the 2005/2006 season. They were issued after the British Open in November, 2004.
以下是2005/2006赛季目前的排名情况。该排名是在2004年11月召开的“英国公开赛”之后发布的。
1. Ronnie O'Sullivan 龙尼•奥沙利文
2. Stephen Hendry斯蒂芬•亨德利
3. Paul Hunter保罗•亨特
4. John Higgins约翰•希金斯
5. Jimmy White吉米•怀特
6. Matthew Stevens马修•史蒂文斯
7. Stephen Maguire斯蒂芬•马格
8. Mark J. Williams马克•J•威廉姆斯
9. Joe Perry琼•佩利
10. Peter Ebdon彼得•埃布登
Tips 教你一招
It may seem obvious, but the most essential skill a good snooker player can have is to be able to hit the cue ball dead centre. This ability needs to be mastered long before a player advances to side-spins. Even the pros incorporate hitting the cue ball on its centre line into their practice routines.
虽然看似是显而易见的，但优秀的斯诺克选手可以掌握的最重要技能还是那种可以直击主球球心的能力。一名选手在开始学习偏杆技巧之前，需要花很长一段时间来掌握这项技能。即使是职业选手也会把直击主球球心练习作为其日常训练科目。
Whether you are an experienced player or a beginner the following method will help you to perfect this skill. Place the cue ball on the brown spot and attempt to hit it along the baulk line. ③Take your time aiming and when you think that you can hit the cue ball dead centre, take your shot. If you hit it in the centre, not only will the cue ball travel straight along the baulk line to the cushion, but it will also return along the baulk line after hitting the cushion.
无论你是一名经验丰富的选手，还是一名初学者，以下这个方法将会帮助你完善这一技巧。把主球放在棕球置点上，试着使其在被击打后沿着发球线滚动。瞄准时要稳，在你认为自己可以准确击中主球的球心时再击球。如果你能击中球心，主球不但可以沿着发球线径直滚向台岸，还会在撞到台岸后沿着发球线滚回来。
If you practice this regularly, it will come naturally to you during matches.
如果你定期练习这个技巧，在你比赛时你会自然地使出这一技巧的。