14.1 Continuous (Straight Pool)

14.1 Continuous, commonly known as Straight Pool, is a points-based game played with all fifteen balls, where players may attempt any object ball on the table as long as the intended ball and pocket are called. Each legally pocketed ball counts as one point, and play continues until only one object ball remains; the fourteen pocketed balls are then re-racked and play carries on, allowing runs to extend indefinitely. Because there is no required shooting order and scoring rewards sustained control rather than a single finishing shot, Straight Pool emphasizes precise cue ball management, break-ball planning, and the ability to think several shots ahead while maintaining consistent execution over long runs.

The Rack

The cue ball and object balls 1 through 15 are used.

For an opening break shot, the fifteen balls are racked in a triangle with the apex ball on the Foot Spot. When the balls are re-racked, the apex ball is omitted if only fourteen balls are being racked. The marked outline of the triangle will be used to determine whether an intended break ball is in the rack area. If the balls are racked without a triangle, the outline of the triangle will still be drawn for the purpose of deciding whether a ball is in the rack area. A Ball Rack Template will not be used.

Opening Break Shot

Lag to determine first break. Unlike other disciplines, breaking in 14.1 is a disadvantage.

The following rules apply to the opening break shot:

• The cue-ball begins in hand above the Head String.
• If no called ball is pocketed, the cue-ball and two object-balls must each be driven to a rail after the cue-ball contacts the rack or the shot is a breaking foul.

A breaking foul is penalized by subtracting two points from the breaker’s score. The non-breaking player may accept the balls in position or may require the breaker to play another opening break shot, until he satisfies the requirements for an opening break or the non-shooting player accepts the table in position.

Continuing Play and Winning the Match

The shooter remains at the table as long as he continues to legally pocket called balls or wins the Match by scoring the required number of points. When fourteen balls from a rack have been legally pocketed, play is suspended until the balls are re-racked.

Shots Required to be Called

14.1 Continuous Pool is a Standard Call Shot discipline. The intended ball and pocket must be indicated for each shot if they are not obvious. Details of the shot, such as cushions struck or other balls contacted or pocketed are irrelevant. Only one ball may be called on each shot.The shooter may call "safety" in which case play passes to the opponent at the end of the shot and any object-ball pocketed on the safety is spotted.

Spotting Balls

All balls pocketed on fouls, or on safeties, or without a called ball having been pocketed, and all balls driven off the table are spotted. If the fifteenth ball of a rack needs to be spotted and the fourteen balls have not been touched, the fifteenth ball will spot on the apex spot and the referee may use the triangle to assure a tight rack.

See Spotting Balls, Balls Settling, and Outside Interference for more information.

Scoring

The shooter scores one point for legally pocketing a called shot. Each additional ball pocketed on such a shot also counts one point. Fouls are penalized by subtracting points from the offending player’s score. Scores may be negative due to penalties from fouls.

Special Racking Situations

When the cue-ball or fifteenth object-ball interferes with racking fourteen balls for a new rack, the following special rules apply. A ball is considered to interfere with the rack if it is within or overlaps the outline of the rack. The referee will state when asked whether a ball interferes with the rack:

• If the fifteenth ball was pocketed on the shot that scored the fourteenth ball, all fifteen balls are re-racked.
• If both balls interfere, all fifteen balls are re-racked, and the cue-ball is in hand above the Head String.
• If only the object-ball interferes, it is placed on the Head Spot or the Center Spot if the cue-ball blocks the Head Spot.
• If only the cue-ball interferes, then it is placed as follows: if the object-ball is in front of or on the Head String, the cue-ball is in hand above the Head String; if the object-ball is above the Head String, the cue-ball is spotted on the Head Spot, or on the Center Spot if the Head Spot is blocked.

In any case, there is no restriction on which object-ball the shooter may play as the first shot of the new Rack.

If the cue-ball or object-ball is barely outside the marked rack area and it is time to rack, the referee should mark the position of the ball to allow it to be accurately replaced if it is accidently moved by the referee when racking.

Standard Fouls

If the shooter commits a standard foul, a point is subtracted from his score, balls are spotted as necessary and play passes to his opponent. The cue-ball remains in position except as noted below. The following are standard fouls at 14.1:

• Bad Cue-ball Placement
• Bad Play from Above the Head String
  • The cue-ball is in hand above the Head String for the incoming player.
• Ball Driven off the Table
  • All object-balls driven off the table are spotted.
• Ball Rack Template Foul
• Balls Still Moving
• Cue-ball Scratch or off the Table
  • The cue-ball is in hand above the Head String for the incoming player.
• Double Hit / Frozen Balls
• No Foot on Floor
• No Rail after Contact
• Playing out of Turn
• Push Shot
• Three Consecutive Fouls
• Touched Ball

For Three Consecutive Fouls, a point is subtracted for the third foul as usual, and then an additional fifteen-point penalty is subtracted, and the offending player's consecutive foul count is reset to zero. All fifteen balls are re-racked, and the offending player is required to shoot under the requirements of the opening break.

See Foul and Cue-Ball in Hand for additional information.

Stalemate

If a stalemate occurs, the players will lag again to determine who will shoot an opening break. The current point score is carried over.