14.1 continuous (straight pool) rules

The game

Straight pool is played with fifteen object balls and a cue ball. Every legally pocketed and called ball counts one point. The first player to reach a pre-agreed total wins. A player stays at the table until they miss; after pocketing fourteen balls, those fourteen are re-racked and the player tries to break the new rack with the fifteenth (break) ball to continue the run.

The lag

Players lag at the start of the match to decide who breaks first.

The rack

For the opening break all fifteen balls are racked with the apex on the foot spot. On every subsequent rack during the match the apex is left empty. The marked rack lines are used to determine whether the break ball lies inside or outside the rack area.

The opening break

The cue ball is placed anywhere behind the head string. If no called ball is pocketed, the cue ball plus two object balls must reach a rail — otherwise it is a break foul penalised −2 points. The next player may accept the position or require the breaker to re-break until the break is legal, or accept the failed position.

Continuing play and winning

A player stays at the table while legally pocketing balls or until they reach the agreed total. When fourteen balls are pocketed from a rack, play pauses while those fourteen are re-racked.

Call shot

Shots are called (ball and pocket). A player may call a safety — the opponent shoots next and any balls pocketed on the safety are spotted.

Spotting balls

Balls pocketed on a foul, on a called safety, uncalled balls and balls that jump the table are all spotted. If the fifteenth ball must be spotted while the other fourteen are undisturbed, the fifteenth ball goes on the foot spot; the referee may use the rack to confirm the cluster is tight.

Scoring

The shooter scores one point per ball legally pocketed in the called pocket. Any other balls pocketed on the same shot also count one point each. Fouls cost points — a player's score can go negative.

Standard fouls

A foul costs −1 point; if necessary a ball is spotted and play passes. The cue ball stays where it lies except in noted cases. Standard fouls: cue ball off the table (opponent plays from behind the head string); no ball reaches a rail after contact; no foot on the floor; ball off the table; bad hit on frozen balls; double or push shot; balls still moving; cue ball placed wrong; bad play behind the head string (opponent gets ball-in-hand); cue left on the table; playing out of turn; slow play.

Break fouls

An opening-break foul costs −2 points with the option to require a re-break. If a break foul and a standard foul occur together, it is scored as a break foul.

Serious fouls

For the three-consecutive-fouls rule only standard fouls count (not break fouls). The third consecutive foul costs an extra −15 points and the player is no longer on a foul; all fifteen balls are re-racked and the offender must execute a legal break. Unsportsmanlike behaviour is penalised by the referee in proportion to the offence.

Stalemate

On a stalemate, players lag again to decide who breaks.

This is an informative summary. Official tournaments follow WPA/EPBF rules.