View source for Straight pool

{{Short description|Cue sport}}
{{Distinguish|Straight rail}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox sport
 |name=Straight pool|
 |image=Straight pool rack.svg
 |alt=Image of a rack |caption=A traditional straight pool rack with the 1 and 5 balls at the bottom corners, and all other balls placed randomly
 |venue=Indoor, table
 |union  = [[World Pool-Billiard Association]]
 |nickname = 
 |first  = 1910
 |firstlabel = 
 |region  = Worldwide
 |registered = 
 |clubs  = 
 |contact = No
 |team  = single competitors or doubles
 |mgender = Yes
 |equipment = [[Cue sports equipment]]
 |type= Indoor, table
}}
'''Straight pool''', which is also called '''14.1 continuous''' and '''14.1 rack''', is a [[Cue sports|cue sport]] in which two competing players attempt to {{cuegloss|pocket}} as many {{cuegloss|object ball}}s as possible without playing a {{cuegloss|foul}}. The game was the primary version of [[Pool (cue sports)|pool]] played in professional competition until it was superseded by faster-playing games like [[nine-ball]] and [[eight-ball]] in the 1980s.

In straight pool, the player may {{cuegloss|call shot|call}} and attempt to pocket any object ball on the table regardless of its number or color until only one object ball and the {{cuegloss|cue ball}} remain, at which point the other fourteen balls are re-[[Rack (billiards)|racked]]. At this point, play resumes with the objective of pocketing the remaining ball in a manner that causes the cue ball to {{cuegloss|carom}} into the rack, spreading out the balls and allowing the player to continue the {{cuegloss|run}}. The goal is to reach a set number of points that is determined by agreement before the game begins; traditionally 100 points is needed for a win, though professional matches may go higher. One point is scored by pocketing an object ball without a foul, while a point is deducted on a foul.

The game was most popular in the United States and was notably played in the 1961 film ''[[The Hustler]]''. The [[World Straight Pool Championship]] was held from 1911<ref name="S&R 183">{{Stein & Rubino 2008|page=183}}</ref> until 1990, and again from 2006 until 2019. The game is currently represented at a continental level in events such as the [[American 14.1 Straight Pool Championship|International Straight Pool Open]] and the [[European Pool Championships]]' straight pool event.

==History==
[[File:Jerome Keogh (at pool table) LCCN2014682795 (cropped).jpg|thumb|alt=Jerome Koegh chalking his cue|[[Jerome Keogh]] invented the game in 1910.]]
Straight pool is derived from an earlier game called '''continuous pool''',<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.billiardsdigest.com/showblogentry.php?id=226 |work=Billiards Digest |title=Feb: Continuous |date=February 2014 |access-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200930195454/http://www.billiardsdigest.com/showblogentry.php?id=226 |url-status=live}}</ref> in which points are earned for every ball that is pocketed. In this game, the last {{cuegloss|object ball}} is pocketed (not left on the table as in straight pool), and then [[Rack (billiards)|racked]] with the rest of them when a new game begins (the player who pocketed the final ball plays the break shot in the new game).<ref name="S&R 183" /> As players became skilled in scoring dozens of points in a single turn, they would often use defensive shots on the break to avoid their opponent pocketing the 15 balls on the table.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://wpapool.com/rules-of-play/ |title=Rules of Play |access-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |work=WPA Pool |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180921224539/https://wpapool.com/rules-of-play/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Continuous pool was invented in 1889 and played professionally until 1911.<ref name="S&R 183" />

In 1910, [[Jerome Keogh]], who won numerous continuous pool tournaments, wanted to increase the attacking nature from the break-off shot, and make it more plausible to perform multi-rack {{cuegloss|run}}s. He introduced the modern rule that the object balls are re-racked not when all have been pocketed but after 14 have been sunk and one remains on the table. This new game became known as "14.1 continuous" and "14.1 rack", and in 1912 it became known as straight pool.<ref name="S&R 183" /><ref name="PoolHistory">{{Cite web |url= https://poolhistory.com/history/ |title=History |website=Pool History |access-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201101040704/https://poolhistory.com/history/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The first 14.1 professional championship was held in 1912 in Philadelphia.<ref name="S&R 183" /> The game quickly overtook continuous pool in popularity and was the most-played version of pool until [[nine-ball]] and [[eight-ball]] became popular.<ref name="PoolHistory" /><ref name="Shamos 195">{{cite book |last=Shamos |first=Michael Ian |author-link=Michael Ian Shamos |date=1993 |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Billiards |publisher=[[Lyons & Burford]] |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000sham/page/195 195] |isbn=1-55821-219-1 |url= https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000sham/page/195 |via=Internet Archive |url-access=registration}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
In straight pool's first {{cuegloss|frame}}, the fifteen object balls are racked with the center of the apex ball placed over the {{Cuegloss|foot spot}}. Traditionally the {{cuegloss|1 ball}} is placed at the rack's right corner and the {{cuegloss|5 ball}} is placed at the rack's left corner for visibility, though there is no such rule requirement.<ref name="Shamos 195" /> Other balls are placed at random and must touch adjacent balls.<ref name="Shamos 195" />

Unlike most pool games, the object of straight pool's typical {{em|initial}} break shot (with all 15 object balls racked together) is to leave the opponent without the chance to pot a ball. All shots–including the break shot–in straight pool require {{cuegloss|nomination}}, in which both a ball and pocket are {{cuegloss|call shot|called}} before the shot is taken. Consequently, in the first break shot the racked balls are usually not struck with force in hopes of pocketing a ball (the odds of pocketing the called one are very low), but just hard enough to drive at least one ball to a {{cuegloss|cushion}} to avoid a foul, and ideally off the cushion and gently back into the {{cuegloss|pack}} of balls. This is a form {{Cuegloss|safety}}.{{efn|The break shot in straight pool is similar in manner to the break shot (British: {{cuegloss|break-off}}) in [[snooker]], as the player also tries to leave a safety even though the game of snooker does not have a call-pocket rule.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ben |last=Tippet |url= https://deadspin.com/the-greatest-break-in-snooker-history-was-even-better-t-1794695566/amp |title=the greatest break in snooker history was even better than anyone realised |date=April 27, 2017 |work=Deadspin |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220319072056/https://deadspin.com/the-greatest-break-in-snooker-history-was-even-better-t-1794695566/amp |archive-date=March 19, 2022}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.poolbilliards.co/rules/wpa-rules-of-play/straight-pool/ |title=Rules of pool – 4. straight pool |work=PoolBilliards.co |access-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201205203610/https://www.poolbilliards.co/rules/wpa-rules-of-play/straight-pool/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Some shots, such as {{cuegloss|carom}}s and {{cuegloss|combination}}s, do not have to be called. On the break, either the cue ball and two other balls must touch a rail, or a ball must be pocketed. The failure to accomplish either of these conditions results in a foul. Fouling on the initial break incurs a penalty loss of two points. In addition, the opponent has the choice of either accepting the table in position or of having the balls {{Cuegloss|re-rack}}ed and requiring the offending player to repeat the opening break.<ref name="Shamos 195" /><ref name="WPA rules">{{cite web |url= http://www.wpa-pool.com/index.asp?content=rules_141 |title=Official rules |work=WPA-Pool.com |publisher=[[World Pool-Billiard Association]] |access-date=May 17, 2008 |archive-date=June 10, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080610151901/http://www.wpa-pool.com/index.asp?content=rules_141 |url-status=live}}</ref> All other fouls made during the game incur a one-point deduction, and a player incurs an additional 15-point penalty for committing three consecutive fouls.<ref name="WPA rules" /><ref name="Fels">{{cite book |title=Pool Simplified, Somewhat |chapter=5 - Straight Pool |pages=61–76 |last=Fels |first=George |date=2000 |publisher=[[Dover Publications]] |isbn=9780486413686}}</ref>

[[Image:Intragame rack 14.1.jpg|thumb|alt=A rack with an object ball to the left of the rest|A typical layout for the intragame rack. An object ball is to the left of the racked balls.]]
The unique feature of straight pool is the racking that is played when one object ball remains. These intra-game racks have a specific set of rules; when the rack is supposed to be replaced, if neither the cue ball nor the object ball remain in the rack area, the balls are replaced with no ball at the apex. At this point, the aim is to pot the remaining ball and carom into the pack of balls, allowing a shot on the next ball to continue the run. Additional rules apply when either ball is in the position where the balls would usually be racked.<ref name="WPA rules" /><ref name="Fels" />

==Highest runs==
In straight pool, skilled players can pot all of the balls in a single rack and continue to do so for large runs. On March 19, 1954, [[Willie Mosconi]] set a record-high run of 526 points over 36 racks.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.billiardsforum.info/pool-players/willie-mosconi.asp |title=Willie Mosconi |work=Billiards Forum |access-date=December 13, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151222133056/http://www.billiardsforum.info/pool-players/willie-mosconi.asp |url-status=live}}</ref> Mosconi had been playing a {{cuegloss|race}}-to-200-points match against an amateur player named Earl Bruney in Springfield, Ohio. Bruney scored the first three points in the match, but Mosconi ran the next 200 points to win. However, Mosconi continued the run for over two hours to score 526 before missing a fine {{cuegloss|cut shot}}. The run was witnessed by 300 people, including a lawyer who produced an [[affidavit]] to confirm it took place, and it was later confirmed by the [[Billiard Congress of America]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://issuu.com/thebreak/docs/ebreak8-01 |title=Mosconi's High Run Quote |page=6 |date=August 2001 |work=The Break |via=Issuu |archive-date=March 5, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230305143529/https://issuu.com/thebreak/docs/ebreak8-01 |url-status=live |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref>

Mosconi's record for the highest documented run stood for over 65 years. It was finally beaten on May 27, 2019, when [[John Schmidt (pool player)|John Schmidt]] ran 626 balls in [[Monterey, California]], which was the result of a sustained, months-long effort to break Mosconi's record.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/28/sports/john-schmidt-straight-pool-record-mosconi.html |title=After Much Effort, an 'Unbreakable' Record in Straight Pool Is Topped |last=Mather |first=Victor |date=May 28, 2019 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=November 18, 2019 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Critics have argued that Mosconi's record was made in competition while Schmidt simply set up break shots for himself.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.billiardsdigest.com/new_current_issue/aug_19/bb_index.php |title=For the Record |work=Billiards Digest |first=Mike |last=Panozzo |date=August 2019 |access-date=December 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>https://www.shortstoponpool.com/challenge-page/8bb3268d-d128-457b-aad3-1cd1266a90fb</ref> In a similar format as Schmidt's run, on January 18, 2022, as part of the "Legends of Pocket Billiards" high run series, where a number of player have attempted to beat the record, [[Jayson Shaw]] completed a record-breaking run of 669 balls.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.azbilliards.com/jayson-shaw-achieves-record-straight-pool-high-run/ |publisher=AZBilliards |title=Jayson Shaw Achieves Record Straight Pool High Run |date=May 20, 2022 |access-date=July 2, 2022}}</ref> On January 6, 2025, this record was broken by [[Jayson Shaw]] again, with a new high-run of 832 balls.

==Tournaments and governance==
Straight pool is governed by regional councils such as the [[European Pocket Billiard Federation]], and at a worldwide level by the [[World Pool-Billiard Association]]. The [[World Straight Pool Championship]] was created in 1912 and ran sporadically until 1990. In 2006, the championship was revived, until again ending in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.azbilliards.com/2000storya.php?id=3053 |title=The World Straight Pool Championship |work=AZBilliards |date=September 29, 2005 |access-date=August 25, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110613202856/http://www.azbilliards.com/2000storya.php?id=3053 |archive-date=June 13, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A straight pool event has been played at the [[European Pool Championships]] annually since 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hall of Fame – Dynamic Billard European Championships |work=EuropeanPoolChampionships.eu |access-date=January 3, 2019 |url=https://europeanpoolchampionships.eu/hall-of-fame/ |archive-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210906/https://europeanpoolchampionships.eu/hall-of-fame/ |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=European Pool Championships |work=AZBilliards |access-date=January 3, 2019 |url= https://www.azbilliards.com/tours_and_events/184-european-pool-championships/calendar/ |archive-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210621/https://www.azbilliards.com/tours_and_events/184-european-pool-championships/calendar/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[U.S. Open Straight Pool Championship]] was sanctioned by the [[Billiard Congress of America]] (BCA) from 1966 to 2000;<ref>{{cite book |last=Dyer |first=R. A. |date=May 1, 2005 |title=Billiards: The Official Rules and Records Book |page=183 |isbn=1-59228-744-1}}</ref> It was revived by [[CueSports International]] (CSI) for one year in 2007 and afterwards was held annually from 2016, until again ending in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.playcsipool.com/2016-us-open-straight-pool.html |title=2016 US Open Straight Pool |work=PlayCSIPool.com |publisher=[[CueSports International]] |access-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200929180355/https://www.playcsipool.com/2016-us-open-straight-pool.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The game has been in decline since the 1980s; players in the United States have often called straight pool "dead".<ref name="Dyer 2005-08">{{Cite magazine |url= http://www.billiardsdigest.com/current_issue/aug_05/index.php |title=What Killed Straight Pool? |first=R. A. |last=Dyer |magazine=Billiards Digest |date=August 1, 2005 |access-date=February 15, 2007 |archive-date=October 12, 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061012043430/http://www.billiardsdigest.com/current_issue/aug_05/index.php |url-status=dead}}</ref> Popularity of the game has been reduced due to the popularity of other pool games such as [[nine-ball]] and [[eight-ball]], and a lack of straight pool competitions.<ref name="Dyer 2005-08" />

==In popular culture==
Straight pool has been featured in popular culture, most notably in the 1959 novel ''[[The Hustler (novel)|The Hustler]]'' and its [[The Hustler|1961 film adaptation]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Rossen |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Rossen |date=1972 |title=Three Screenplays: All the Kings Men, The Hustler, and Lilith |location=New York |publisher=[[Anchor Doubleday]] |lccn=70-175418}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Review: ''Hustler, The'' |work=Preview.ReelViews.net |access-date=January 7, 2020 |url= http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/h/hustler.html |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201205203635/https://preview.reelviews.net/movies/h/hustler.html |url-status=live}}</ref> It also provides the setting and background for [[John O'Hara]]'s monologue short story "Straight Pool".<ref>{{cite book |first=John |last=O'Hara |author-link=John O'Hara |contribution=Straight Pool |editor1-first=James |editor1-last=Moffett |editor2-first=Kenneth |editor2-last=McElheny |title=Points of View: An Anthology of Stories |edition=Revised |location=New York |publisher=[[New American Library|Mentor]] |date=1995 |pages=32–35}}</ref>

Straight pool, in common with other pool games, has been associated with [[hustling]].<ref name="Fels" /> ''[[The Twilight Zone]]'' produced an episode titled "[[A Game of Pool (The Twilight Zone, 1959)|A Game of Pool]]"<!--1959 is the series beginning date, not episode date.--> in 1961, and [[A Game of Pool (The Twilight Zone, 1985)|remade it in 1989]]<!--1985 is the new series beginning date, not episode date.-->, with a straight-pool player being revived from the afterlife to compete in one last match.<ref>{{cite book |last=DeVoe |first=Bill |date=2008 |title=Trivia from The Twilight Zone |location=Albany, Georgia, US |publisher=Bear Manor Media |isbn=978-1-59393-136-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Grams |first=Martin |date=2008 |title=The Twilight Zone: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic |location=Churchville, Maryland |publisher=OTR Publishing |isbn=978-0-9703310-9-0}}</ref>

In episode 17 of the seventh season of ''[[Seinfeld]]'', "The Doll", [[Cosmo Kramer]], [[Frank Costanza]], and Bob Cobb (aka "The Maestro") play straight pool for several hours in Frank's way-too-small pool room. Frank originally suggests he and Kramer play eight ball, but Kramer overrides the suggestion, requesting straight pool.

In the movie ''[[The Color of Money]]'' the character Eddie Felson ([[Paul Newman]]) says "Straight pool, you gotta be a real surgeon to get 'em, you know? It's all finesse."

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aF21EAAAQBAJ |title=The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards |first1=David G. |last1=Alciatore |isbn=9781454927914 |year=2017 |format=ebook |publisher=[[Sterling Publishing|Union Square & Company]] |language=English}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yLpsCQAAQBAJ&q=pool+billiards |title=The Sport of Pool Billiards 1: Techniques and Training Based on PAT Part 1 |first1=David G. |last1=Alciatore |isbn=9781454927914 |date=May 2017 |format=ebook |publisher=Union Square & Company |language=English}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dG5INsTkJAsC&q=pool+billiards |isbn=9780156005548 |title=Byrne's New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards |year=1998 |type=Paperback |publisher=[[Harcourt Brace & Company]] |language=English |first1=Robert |last1=Byrne |authorlink1=Robert Byrne (author)}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yLpsCQAAQBAJ |isbn=9783941484986 |date=May 8, 2015 |format=ebook |publisher=[[Litho]] |language=English |first1=Ralph |last1= Eckert |title=The Sport of Pool Billiards 1: Techniques and Training Based on PAT Part 1}}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C-mt6DVhbHkC&q=pool+billiards |title=Pool and Billiards For Dummies
|first1=Nicholas |last1=Leider |isbn=9780470633946 |series=[[For Dummies]] |date=February 12, 2010 |format=ebook |publisher=[[Wiley (publisher)|Wiley]] |language=English}}

==External links==
*[[World Pool-Billiard Association|WPA]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20080610151901/http://www.wpa-pool.com/index.asp?content=rules_141 world-standardized rules for straight pool]

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