How To Play Straight Pool
Instructions and Rules
Object of the Game
Straight Pool is a contest between 2 players or 2 teams using
the standard set of object balls (1 through 15) and the cue ball. This shot-call
game is played to a predetermined point total.
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Racking and Breaking
The balls are placed in a standard triangle rack with the apex
ball on the footspot, the 1 ball at the racker's right corner, the 5 ball at
the racker's left corner, and the remaining balls placed at random. All balls
should touch
each other. The starting player must pocket a ball or meet contact requirements
in order to
continue their turn and avoid point penalties.
- At the opening break, the starting player must either:
- Designate a ball and a pocket and accomplish the designated shot,
or
- Cause the cue ball to contact a ball and then a cushion, plus cause
two object balls to contact a cushion.
- Failure to meet either of the above criteria is a breaking violation
- The shooter is assessed a 2-point penalty for each breaking
violation.
- In the instance of a breaking violation, the opponent may elect to:
- Have the balls re-racked and rebroken by the starting player, or
- Accept the table as-is.
- If the starting player scratches on a legal opening break, they are
assessed a 1-point penalty. The incoming player is awarded the cue ball to set
anywhere
behind the head string, with object balls in position.
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Game Play
Each player or team takes their turn trying to pocket balls for
points. All shots are called in advance, and if the pre-determined point total
has
not been reached when 14 balls are pocketed, the balls are re-racked without
stopping
play.
- The player must call their intended ball and pocket.
- A player is awarded 1 point for each called and pocketed ball on a legal
shot.
- A player or team continues their turn until they either fail to pocket a
called ball or commit a foul.
- Players may shoot at any ball, and any incidentally pocketed ball on a
legal shot is scored as 1 point for the shooter.
- When only one ball remains on the table, the first fourteen balls are
re-racked leaving the fifteenth ball in position and a space at the
footspot.
- The shooter continues play, normally pocketing the fifteenth ball
and spreading the newly racked balls.
- Illegally pocketed balls are spotted.
- If an object ball is driven off the table, the shot is a foul and
the jumped ball(s) is spotted.
- If the cue ball is scratched or driven off the table, the incoming
player may set the cue ball anywhere behind the head string.
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Winning
The player or team to first reach the predetermined point
total wins the game.
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