Abstract: An automatic cue ball separating device is described for billiard tables to separate a metallic containing cue ball from nonmetallic object balls. The cue ball separator includes an induction sensing coil that circumscribes the path of the balls along a return run with the balls passing through an aperture about which the coil loops are formed. The aperture is oblong with the coil mounted at the acute angle of less than 90.degree. with respect to the path of the balls. The cue ball separating device includes an oscillating voltage means that is impedance matched with the induction sensing coil. When the metallic cue ball passes through the aperture, the oscillating electric field is disrupted causing the coil to change impedance. Such inductance change is detected by an electrical circuit which in turn operates a solenoid that engages the cue ball and drives the cue ball from the single file into a cue ball return channel to separate the cue ball from the object balls.