What Is a Kiss Shot in Pool? How Kisses Work and When to Use Them
Quick answer: A kiss shot in pool is a shot where a ball you hit glances off, or “kisses,” another ball and then goes into the pocket. Most often, the object ball touches a second ball and bounces off it into the pocket. Kiss shots are useful when the direct path to the pocket is blocked or when two balls sit close together near a pocket. The word “kiss” can also mean an accidental touch between balls that ruins a shot.
Kiss shots can look like magic to new players, but they follow simple rules of angles. Once you learn how balls glance off each other, you will start to see kiss shots all over the table.
Two Meanings of “Kiss”
| Meaning | What it is |
|---|---|
| Planned kiss shot | You aim one ball to glance off another ball on purpose and go into a pocket |
| Bad kiss | Balls bump into each other by accident and knock a ball off line |
Good players plan kiss shots and also learn to avoid bad kisses.
Kiss Shot vs Carom vs Combination
People mix these names up, so here is a simple way to tell them apart.
| Shot | What happens |
|---|---|
| Combination | The cue ball hits ball A, and ball A hits ball B into the pocket |
| Kiss shot | Ball A glances off ball B and ball A goes into the pocket |
| Carom shot | The cue ball glances off one ball and then hits another ball |
Different rooms and books use these words a little differently. The idea of one ball glancing off another is what matters.
How a Kiss Shot Works
When a rolling or sliding ball hits another ball at an angle, it leaves in a new direction. On a cut where the ball is sliding, it tends to leave along a line close to 90 degrees from the path of the ball it hit. Learn more about that idea in what is the 90 degree rule in pool and what is a stun shot in pool.
A frozen kiss is the easiest kind. When two object balls are touching and the pocket lines up with the glance angle, a kiss can be very reliable.
How to Aim a Kiss Shot
- Find the pocket line. Picture the path from the kissing ball into the pocket.
- Find the contact point on the second ball that would send your ball along that path.
- Picture the 90 degree line. Your ball will tend to leave close to 90 degrees from the line between the two ball centers at contact.
- Choose a soft to medium speed. Too much speed adds throw and makes the shot less predictable.
- Shoot with a smooth stroke and stay down. See how to stay calm in a pool match if nerves get in the way.
When to Try a Kiss Shot
- The direct path to the pocket is blocked by another ball.
- Two balls are frozen together near a pocket and line up well.
- You have no other good shot and the kiss is safer than a long, hard cut.
When Not to Try One
- The angle is hard to read.
- A miss would leave your opponent an easy shot.
- A simple safety would be smarter.
How to Avoid Bad Kisses
- Look at the path of the cue ball and the object ball before every shot.
- Watch for balls near the pocket that the object ball might brush.
- Change your speed so the cue ball stays out of the way.
- Plan position so you are not stuck in traffic. See how to play position in pool.
A Simple Practice Drill
Freeze two balls together a few inches from a corner pocket. Move them around until the kiss line points at the pocket. Shoot the back ball softly and watch the kiss. Then try it with a small gap between the balls and see how the angle changes.
The Bottom Line
A kiss shot in pool is when one ball glances off another ball into the pocket. Kiss shots follow the same angle rules as cut shots, so learning the 90 degree idea helps you see them. Use soft speed, read the angle carefully, and save kiss shots for times when they are the smart choice.
Keep Reading on This Site
- What Is a Safety Shot in Pool? Meaning, Types, and Simple Tips
- What Is a Double Hit in Pool? The Foul Explained Simply
- What Is the 90 Degree Rule in Pool? Predict Where the Cue Ball Goes
- How to Play Position in Pool: A Simple Guide to Cue Ball Control
- How to Make Long Shots in Pool: Tips That Actually Help
- How to Use the Diamonds on a Pool Table: A Beginner Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What does kiss mean in pool?
A kiss is when one ball touches another ball. A planned kiss shot uses that touch to send a ball into a pocket.
Is a kiss shot the same as a combination?
No. In a combination the second ball goes in. In a kiss shot the ball that glances off the other ball goes in.
Are kiss shots legal?
Yes. They are legal shots in normal pool rules as long as you make a legal hit first.
What speed is best for a kiss shot?
Soft to medium speed is usually best because it keeps the angle more predictable.