Straight pool aka 14.1 continuous is a nomination pool game
in which the shooting player has to nominate a certain ball
as well as a certain pocket prior to striking. The player
gets one point for every legally pocketed ball and loses one
point for every foul. The first player who reaches a
predetermined score (usually 150) is the winner of the
straight pool game.
Here you can learn all about playing the pool game
straight pool or 14.1 continuous:
The game of straight pool takes place between two players
with 15 object balls numbered 1 through 15 in addition to
the cue ball. The balls are racked in a triangle; the apex
ball is placed on the foot spot, the 1-ball on the right
corner, the 5-ball on the left corner and the rest of the
balls are pressed together in a random order.
On the opening break shot, the player has pocket a nominated
ball into the nominated pocket, or make the cue ball to
first contact a ball and then a cushion, plus make two
numbered balls to hit a cushion. If a player fails in
completing a legal opening break shot, he loses 2 points and
the incoming player has the choice between shooting from the
current position of the table or asking the breaker to
re-rack and perform an additional opening break shot.
Scratching on the opening break shot is a foul according to
straight pool rules. However, it causes the offender to lose
only 1 point and the incoming player will be awarded with a
cue ball in hand behind the head string.
When a player completes a legal stroke, which means causing
the cue ball to touch an object ball and then either
pocketing a ball or causing a ball to hit a cushion, he may
continue striking until he commits a foul. The players are
allowed to strike any of the numbered balls on the table,
but they must nominate a ball and a pocket in advance.
Once the 14th ball of the rack has been pocketed, the player
has to stop shooting for a moment until the 14 pocketed
balls are being re-racked and placed on the table. Then, the
player may continue shooting but his purpose now would be to
pocket the 15th ball in a way that would cause the cue ball
to carom into the 14 racked balls and spread them so they
would support his run. Nevertheless, shooting the 15th ball
is not necessary at this point, and the player may pocket
any other numbered ball.
In straight pool, safety play as a defensive strategy is
allowed. However, once a player chooses to play safety, his
turn comes to an end and if any balls were pocketed, they
will be spotted and will not be added to the player's
score.
If a player commits a deliberate foul, i.e. gets in the way
of the ball towards the pocket either by touching the ball
or trying to catch it, then the player would be penalized
with a subtraction of 15 points in addition to the standard
1 penalty point subtracted for a foul.
In the straight pool game, balls that were pocketed
illegally won't be spotted, plus the player won't be
penalized. However, if an object ball has jumped off the bed
of the table, the stroke will be counted as foul, the ball
will be spotted, and the incoming player will get a cue ball
in hand behind the head string.
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