World Pool & Billiard Rules of Play: 04. 14.1 Continuous Pool

WPA Rule 4. 14.1 Continuous Pool
The Rules of Play From World Pool-Billiard Association (Effective 1/1/08)

14.1 Continuous Pool, also known as straight pool, is played with fifteen numbered balls and
the cue ball. Each ball pocketed on a legal called shot counts one point and the first player to
reach the required score wins the match. 14.1 is continuous in that after fourteen balls are
pocketed, they are re-racked and the shooter continues.

4.1 Lagging for the Break
Players lag to determine who will shoot first. (See 1.2 Lagging to Determine Order of Play)

4.2 The 14.1 Rack
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.


4.3 Opening Break Shot
The following rules apply to the opening break shot:

(a) The cue ball begins in hand behind the head string.
(b) If no called ball is pocketed, the cue ball and two object balls must each be driven to a rail
or the shot is a breaking foul. (See 8.4 Driven to a Rail.) This is penalized by subtracting two
points from the breaker’s score. (See 4.10 Breaking Foul.) 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. (See 4.11 Serious Fouls.)

4.4 Continuing Play and Winning the Game
The shooter remains at the table as long as he continues to legally pocket called balls or wins
the game 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.

4.5 Shots Required to Be Called
Shots must be called as explained in 1.6 Standard Call 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.

4.6 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. (See 1.4 Spotting Balls.) 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.

4.7 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.

4.8 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.

(a) If the fifteenth ball was pocketed on the shot that scored the fourteenth ball, all fifteen
balls are re-racked.
(b) If both balls interfere, all fifteen balls are re-racked and the cue ball is in hand behind the
head string.
(c) 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.
(d) 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 behind the head string; if the object ball is behind
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.


Table 1. Summary of the Rules for 14.1 Racking Situations

4.9 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:

6.1 Cue Ball Scratch or off the Table; The cue ball is in hand behind the head string (see 1.5
Cue Ball in Hand)
6.3 No Rail after Contact
6.4 No Foot on Floor
6.5 Ball Driven off the Table (All object balls driven off the table are respotted.)
6.6 Touched Ball
6.7 Double Hit / Frozen Balls
6.8 Push Shot
6.9 Balls Still Moving
6.10 Bad Cue Ball Placement
6.11 Bad Play from Behind the Head Strong for a foul under the second paragraph of 6.11, the
cue ball is in hand behind the head string for the incoming player
6.12 Cue Stick on the Table
6.13 Playing out of Turn
6.15 Slow Play

4.10 Breaking Foul
A breaking foul is penalized by the loss of two points as mentioned under 4.3 Opening Break
Shot, as well as a possible re-break. If both a standard foul and a breaking foul happen on one
shot, it is considered a breaking foul.

4.11 Serious Fouls
For Rule 6.14 Three Consecutive Fouls, only standard fouls are counted, so a breaking foul
does not count as one of the three fouls. A point is subtracted for the third foul as usual, and
then the 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.
For 6.16 Unsportsmanlike Conduct, the referee will choose a penalty depending on the nature
of the offense.

4.12 Stalemate
If a stalemate occurs (see 1.12 Stalemate), the players will lag again to determine who will
shoot an opening break.



Index: World Pool & Billiard Rules of Play
World Pool & Billiard Rules of Play: 01. General Rules
World Pool & Billiard Rules of Play: 02. Nine Ball
World Pool & Billiard Rules of Play: 03. Eight Ball
World Pool & Billiard Rules of Play: 04. 14.1 Continuous Pool
World Pool & Billiard Rules of Play: 05. Black Ball
World Pool & Billiard Rules of Play: 06. Fouls
World Pool & Billiard Rules of Play: 07. Rules for Wheelchair Competition
World Pool & Billiard Rules of Play: 08. Definitions Used in the Rules
World Pool & Billiard Rules of Play: 09. Ten Ball
World Pool & Billiard Tournament Regulations
World Pool & Billiard Tournament Table & Equipment Specifications