Straight pool, also known as 14.1 continuous, is one of the
most well known billiard games in the world. Straight pool
is played with 15 billiard balls plus the cue ball. The
shooting player in straight pool has to nominate both an
object ball and a pocket before every stroke. The game of
straight pool takes place between two players or two teams,
and the first player or team that scores 150 points, is the
winner of the game. Each time a player or a team legally
pockets a ball, they gain one point.
More on how to play the billiard game straight pool can be
found in here:
The 15 object balls are racked in a triangle. The apex ball
is located on the foot spot, the 1-ball on the rack's right
corner and the 5-ball on its left.
On the opening break shot, the player has to either pocket a
designated ball into the designated pocket or move the cue
ball so it would touch an object ball and then a cushion and
cause two balls to hit a cushion. If the player does not
complete a legal opening break shot, then he receives two
penalty points.
Rules of the Play
When a player pockets a ball legally, he earns one point,
which also entitles him to continue playing at the table
until he fails in pocketing a ball according to the pool
game rules. The shooting player must designate both an
object ball and a pocket prior to shooting. If a player
pockets more than one ball during one stroke, he will not
earn more than one point.
According to straight pool rules, the shooting player must
cause the cue ball to make contact with an object ball and
afterwards either pocket a ball or make any of the balls,
including the cue ball, to hit a cushion. If the shooting
player does not succeed in completing those requirements,
then this shot is a foul.
After the 14th ball has been pocketed, the
shooting player has to wait for the 14 pocketed balls to be
re-racked before he is allowed to continue with his play. At
this point, the player's goal would be to pocket the 15th
ball in a way that would cause the cue ball to carom into
the 14 racked balls and break open the rack so the balls
would help the continuation of the player's run. Note that
is not necessary to shoot at the 15th ball.
The players lose 1 point for every foul they commit. If a
player commits a deliberate foul (for example, by touching
the ball before it enters a pocket), then he would lose 15
points in addition to the 1 point for committing the foul.
In addition, the incoming player will be able to choose
between having the cue ball in hand from the current
position of the table and re-racking the 15 balls and asking
the player to shoot according to the opening break
requirements.
If when the player has the cue ball in hand behind the head
string and all the object balls are placed behind the head
string, then the player may ask to spot the ball located
closer to the head string.
In straight pool, when balls are pocketed illegally they
will not be spotted. In addition, the player who has
pocketed a ball illegally will not be penalized. If an
object ball or more jumps off the table, it is a foul. The
ball or balls would be spotted, and the incoming player will
get the cue ball in hand behind the head string.