A straight pool rack, right before the opening break.

Straight pool, also called 14.1 continuous, is a pocket billiards game, and was the common sport of championship competition until overtaken by faster-playing games like nine-ball (and to a lesser extent eight-ball). The game was formerly especially popular in the United States, and immortalized in the 1961 film The Hustler. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (2310 × 1540 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (2310 × 1540 pixel, file size: 1. ... The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom... Pocket billiards is a sub-classification of the broader category of games known as cue sports. ... A correct nine ball rack Nine ball is a contemporary variation of pocket billiards, with historical beginnings rooted in the United States and traceable to the 1920s. ... Eight ball players Eight ball is a billiards game played with a cue ball and 15 billiard balls on a pool table with 6 pockets. ... The Hustler is a 1961 film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. ...

In straight pool, the shooter may attempt to pocket any ball on the table. The object is to reach a set number of points determined by agreement before the game. One point is scored for each ball pocketed where no foul is made. A typical game might require a player to score 100 points, meaning at least 100 balls must be pocketed to win. In professional venues, straight pool is usually played to 150 points. Straight pool is a call-pocket game, meaning the player must indicate the intended object ball and pocket on every shot. How the ball reaches the pocket is irrelevant, as long as the called ball enters the called pocket. The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom... The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom... The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom...

Although straight pool is well-known in the United States, Europe and Japan, the game is obscure in other countries that produce world-class players such as the Philippines. (Nevertheless, Filipino players Efren Reyes and Alex Pagulayan have both achieved continuous runs over 100.) Efren Bata Reyes, also known as The Magician. Efren Reyes (born August 26, 1954) is a Filipino professional pool player from Angeles City, considered[] to be one of the all-time greats in the games of nine ball and one-pocket. ... Alejandro Salvador Pagulayan, more commonly known as Alex Pagulayan, was the 2004 WPA World Pool champion. ... The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom...

The initial rack

In the initial rack in straight pool, the fifteen object balls are racked in a triangular rack, with the center of the apex ball placed over the foot spot. Traditionally, the 1 ball is placed at the rack's right corner, and the 5 ball placed at the rack's left corner. Other balls are placed at random and must touch their neighbors. However, it is considered courtesy by some to place a stripe ball at the rack's apex. A rack is the name given to a frame (usually wood or plastic) used to organize billiard balls at the beginning of a game. ... The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom... The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom... The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom...

Unlike in most pool games, where pocketing a ball and spreading the balls is the aim on the break, the object in straight pool's standard initial break shot is to leave the opponent with a safety. This is because the call-pocket rule includes the break shot. This makes it similar to the break shot in another cue sport, snooker. The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom... The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom... Illustration of a three ball pocket billiards game in early 19th century Tübingen, Germany, using a table much longer than the modern type. ... Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a large (12 ft × 6 ft, 3. ...

On the break, either a ball must be pocketed in a designated pocket or the cue ball and at least two additional balls must touch a rail. The failure to accomplish one of these two options results in a foul. Fouling on the initial break results in a special penalty of a loss of 2 points. In addition, the opponent has the choice either of accepting the table in position, or alternatively of having the balls re-racked and requiring the offending player to repeat the opening break. The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom...

All other fouls during the game result in a one point deduction, including fouling on an intergame rack. However, a third foul in a row at any time in a straight pool game results in a loss of 15 points (for purposes of this rule, a foul on the initial break, though it is a loss of two points, is not counted as two fouls). The 15 point deduction is in addition to the one point loss for each foul. Thus, the first two fouls are a loss of one point each, and the third foul in a row is a loss of 16 points; 1 point for the foul, and 15 points for it being the third contiguous foul.

Intergame racking

Because straight pool is played to a specific number of points normally far in excess of the 15 points (professional matches are usually to 150 points) total available in the initial rack, multiple intergame racks are necessary. Intergame racking employs a separate set of rules from those in place at the game's start.

To reach the point where an intergame rack becomes necessary, the balls are played until only the cue ball and one object ball remain on the table's surface. At that time, if neither the cue ball or the fifteenth object ball remains in the rack area (or is interfering with racking in the rack area) the fourteen pocketed object balls are racked with no apex ball, and the rack is placed so that if the apex ball were in the rack, its center would rest directly over the table's foot spot. Play then continues with the cue ball shot from where it rested and the fifteenth, non-racked, object ball from where it rested prior to racking. The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom...

The "14.1 continuous" appellation derives from this racking practice, i.e., that fourteen racked object balls and one remaining object ball left in position is presented to the players at the conclusion of each intergame rack. The shooter will then normally try to pocket the unracked fifteenth ball, and at the same time have the cue ball carom into the fourteen racked balls, spreading them so that subsequent shots are available, and a run may continue. The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom...

A number of rules have developed which detail what must be done when one or both of the cue ball and fifteenth object ball are either in the rack area at the time an intergame rack is necessary, or are in such proximity to the intergame racking area, that the physical rack cannot be used without moving the one or the other. The rules also vary depending on whether the cue ball or fifteenth object ball are resting on the table's head spot. Such rules are detailed on the following chart (note therein that the kitchen refers to the area behind the table's head string). The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom... The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom... The following is a glossary of traditional terms used in the three main cue sport disciplines: pool, which denotes a host of games played on a table with six pockets such as straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket and bank pool; carom billiards referring to the various carom...

References

• "World Standardized Rules: 14.1 Continuous", Billiard Congress of America, 2006. Accessed August 21, 2006.

The Billiard Congress of America was established in 1948. ... August 21 is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

See also

• Willie Mosconi - Holder of the BCA straight pool high run world record, for running 526 balls in a row
• Mike Eufemia — holder of the Guinness Book of World Records high run record, of 625 balls, in February, 1960^[1]

William Joseph Mosconi aka (June 27, 1913–September 12, 1993), an American billiards player from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is considered by most who knew him to be one of the best players in the history of the game. ... The Billiard Congress of America was established in 1948. ... The Guinness Book of Records (or in recent editions Guinness World Records, and in previous US editions Guinness Book of World Records) is a book published annually, containing an internationally recognized collection of superlatives: both in terms of human achievement and the extrema of the natural world. ...

External links

• BCA World Standardized Rules for straight pool
• Billiard Parlors — directory of pool halls in the U.S. and Canada
• "What Killed Straight Pool?", R.A. Dyer, Billiards Digest magazine (online edition), August 2005; accessed February 15, 2007

2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini era. ...

v • d • e Cue sports
Pocket billiards (pool)	Nine-ball • Eight-ball • One-pocket • Straight pool • Bank pool • Rotation • Chicago • Cowboy pool • Golf pool • Kelly pool • Bottle pool • Baseball pocket billiards • Three-ball • Cribbage pool • more
Carom billiards	Three-cushion • Artistic billiards • Five-pins • Balkline & straight rail • Cushion caroms • Four-ball • more
Other games	Snooker • English billiards • Russian pyramid • Bumper pool • Bagatelle • Carrom • Novuss • more
Resources	Glossary • Techniques • Billiards table • Billiard balls • Cue stick • Rack • Players • Organizations • Events • Categories