Crossword Genius

Kicking ball a bit, idler pocketed sports equipment (8,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

billiard table

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'equipment' is the definition.
(I know that billiard table is a type of game equipment)

'kicking ball a bit idler pocketed sports' is the wordplay.
'ball a bit idler' can be anagrammed to 'BILLIARD TABLE'.
However, I'm not clear how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for billiard table that I've seen before include "Where to play snooker" , "Surface for pool, snooker, etc" , "Flat baize-covered surface with pockets" , "Large flat item used for indoor game" , "Smooth indoor "sporting" surface" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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