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Straight pool (14.1)

Every potted ball — one point. When one ball remains — the other 14 return in a rack.

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ClassicPoint race · continuous rackPool

Objective and format

Reach 100, 125, or 150 points (per regulations) before opponent. Every legally potted ball — 1 point.

Classic American billiards discipline; requires position play and rack-break planning.

  • Tournaments: to 100 or 150 points; a match can last several hours.
  • Format on billiard.guru — see event card.

Setup

  • 15 balls — tight triangle on foot spot; cue ball — in kitchen.
  • First shot — break or ball in hand per regulations.
  • Any ball may be played — no groups.

Rack break (rerack)

When one object ball remains, it stays in place, the other 14 return in a rack — play continues.

  • Rack set without touching the remaining ball; if touched — foul.
  • Player breaking the rack plans cue ball position for the next run.
  • Typical tactic: take 3–5 balls per visit, then controlled rack break.

Play

  • Call ball and pocket — on every shot.
  • "Legal shot": any ball in pocket or cushion contact after contact.
  • Safety — leave cue ball and balls so opponent cannot start a run.
  • Score on display or marker; referee records disputed situations.

Fouls

  • Miss, cue ball in pocket, ball off table — ball in hand to opponent.
  • Uncalled ball in pocket — ball spotted, −1 point or penalty per regulations.
  • Touching balls when setting rack — foul.
  • Double hit, push shot, shot not from cloth.

Historical note: straight pool

Straight pool (14.1, continuous pool) — classic American billiards: race to 100 or 150 points, "endless" rack, rerack when one ball remains.

Golden age of 14.1

Straight pool is one of the oldest organized games on the American table. Any ball in any pocket with call; when one ball remains, a rack of 14 is set again touching the remaining ball.

Golden era — 1920s–1960s: Ralph Greenleaf, Willie Mosconi, televised matches. The film "The Color of Money" (1986) brought 14.1 back into mass culture.

Today — a niche, but respected school of position play, break shots, and rack management.

Essence of the rules

  • Call ball and pocket on every shot.
  • Frame to 100, 125, or 150 points — per regulations.
  • Rack break: 14 balls in a triangle, one ball stays; break the rack without a foul.
  • Touching balls when setting the rack — foul.
  • Cue ball in pocket — foul; ball in hand to opponent.

Where it is played

RegionComment
USAHistoric clubs, retro tournaments, 14.1 enthusiasts
EuropeCombined programs, amateur leagues
RussiaRare in clubs; more often among players with pool experience abroad
AsiaAlmost absent; focus on nine-ball and ten-ball

Culture

14.1 is a "mastery school" for position and planning a 40+ ball run. Young players often start with eight-ball/nine-ball and discover straight pool later.

14.1 tournaments are held, but the audience is smaller than for nine-ball.

This is a short guide. The exact regulations are in the tournament description on billiard.guru or from the organizer. Official event rules take precedence.

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