6.1 OBJECT OF THE GAME
14.1 is a nomination game. The player must nominate a ball and a pocket. The
player is awarded one point for every correctly nominated and pocketed ball
on a legal stroke, and is allowed to continue a turn until failure to pocket
a nominated ball or commits a foul. The player can pocket the first 14 balls,
but before continuing a turn by shooting at the 15th (and last remaining) ball
on the table, the 14 pocketed balls are racked as before, except with the apex
space vacant. The player then attempts to pocket the 15th ball in a manner so
that the racked balls are disturbed and he can continue the run. The player
who scores the predetermined point total for a game (usually 150 in major tournament
play or any agreed upon total in casual play) prior to the opponent, wins the
game.
6.2 PLAYERS
2 players or 2 teams.
6.3 BALLS USED
Standard set of object balls numbered 1-15, plus the cue ball.
6.4 THE RACK
Standard triangle rack with the apex ball on the foot spot, 1-ball on the racker's
right corner, 5-ball on left corner. Other balls are placed at random and must
touch their neighbors.
6.5 SCORING
Any ball legally pocketed counts one point for the shooter.
6.6 OPENING BREAK
Starting player must either (1) designate a ball and a pocket into which that
ball will be pocketed and accomplish the shot, or (2) cause the cue ball to
contact a ball and then a cushion, plus cause two object balls to contact a
cushion. Failure to meet at least one of the above requirements is a breaking
violation. Offender's score is assessed a 2-point penalty for each breaking
violation. In addition, the opponent has the choice of (1) accepting the table
in position, or (2) having the balls reracked and requiring the offending player
to repeat the opening break. That choice continues until the opening break is
not a breaking violation, or until the opponent accepts the table in position.
The three successive fouls rule does not apply to breaking violations. If the
starting player scratches on a legal opening break, he is charged with a foul
and assessed a one point penalty, which applies toward the "Successive
Fouls Penalties." The incoming player is awarded cue ball in hand behind
the head string, with object balls in position.
6.7 RULES OF PLAY
1. A legally pocketed ball entitles a shooter to continue at the table until
he fails to legally pocket a called ball on a shot. A player may shoot any ball,
but before the shot, must designate the called ball and called pocket. Details
such as kisses, caroms, combinations, or cushions (all of which are legal) need
not be indicated. Any additionally pocketed ball(s) on a legal stroke is scored
as one point for the shooter.
2. On all shots, a player must cause the cue ball to contact an object ball
and then (1) pocket a numbered ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or any numbered
ball to contact a cushion. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul. When
an object ball is not frozen to a cushion, but is within a ball's width of a
cushion (referee to determine by measurement if necessary), a player is permitted
only two consecutive legal safeties on that ball using only the near rail. If
such safety play is employed, that object ball is then considered frozen to
the rail on the player's next inning. The General Rules of Pocket Billiards
"Frozen Balls" requirements apply if the player chooses to make the
first cue ball contact with that object ball on the third shot. (Note: If a
player has committed a foul on the shot immediately before or the shot immediately
after playing this ball, then he must immediately meet the requirements of the
"Frozen Ball" rule when playing this object ball. Also, if he has
committed two consecutive fouls, he must immediately meet the requirements of
the Frozen Ball rule when playing this object ball. If such player fails to
meet the requirements of the Frozen Ball rule, he is considered to have committed
a third successive foul and the appropriate point penalty is assessed as well
as one point for each of the previous fouls. All 15 balls are then reracked
and the player committing the infraction is required to break, as at the beginning
of the game.)
3. When the 14th ball of a rack is pocketed, play stops momentarily with the
15th ball remaining in position on the table; the 14 pocketed balls are then
racked (with the space at the foot spot vacant in the triangle). Player then
continues, normally pocketing the 15th (or "break" ball) in such manner
as to have the cue ball carom into the rack and spread the balls to facilitate
the continuance of his run. However, player is not compelled to shoot the 15th
ball; he may shoot any ball he desires. See Diagram below if the 15th ball is
pocketed on the same stroke as the 14th ball.
| Cue Ball
Lies |
IN THE RACK |
NOT IN THE RACK
& NOT ON HEAD SPOT * |
ON HEAD SPOT *
|
| 15th Ball Lies |
| IN THE RACK |
15th Ball: foot spot
Cue Ball: in kitchen |
15th Ball: head spot
Cue Ball: in position |
15th Ball: center spot
Cue Ball: in position |
| POCKETED |
15th Ball: foot spot
Cue Ball: in kitchen |
15th Ball: foot spot
Cue Ball: in position |
15th Ball: foot spot
Cue Ball: in position |
| IN KITCHEN BUT NOT ON HEAD
SPOT * |
15th Ball: in position
Cue Ball: head spot |
|
|
| NOT IN KITCHEN &
NOT IN THE RACK |
15th Ball: in position
Cue Ball: in kitchen |
|
|
| ON HEAD SPOT * |
15th Ball: in position
Cue Ball: center spot |
|
*On Head Spot Means to imtrfere
with spotting a ball on the head spot |
4. A player may call a safety rather than an object ball (for defensive purposes).
Safety play is legal, but must comply with all applicable rules. The player's
inning ends when a safety is played, and pocketed balls are not scored. Any
object ball pocketed on a called safety is spotted.
5. A player may not catch, touch, or in any way interfere with a ball as it
travels toward a pocket or the rack area on a shot (to include catching a ball
as it enters a pocket by having a hand in the pocket). Doing so is a special
"deliberate foul" and is penalized one point for the foul and an additional
15 point penalty, for a total of 16 points. The incoming player then has choice
of (1) accepting the table in position with the cue ball in hand behind the
head string, or (2) having all 15 balls reracked and requiring the offending
player to shoot under the requirements of the opening break.
6. If the 15th (unpocketed) ball of a rack and/or the cue ball interferes with
the triangle being lowered straight down into position for racking, refer to
the diagram, which indicates the proper manner of relocating balls. (The gray
boxes are those situations in which there is no interference, both balls remain
in position.)
7. When a player has the cue ball in hand behind the head string (as after
a scratch) and all object balls are behind the head string, the object ball
nearest the head string may be spotted upon request. If two or more balls are
an equal distance from the head string, the player may designate which of the
equidistant balls is to be spotted.
6.8 ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS
All spotted. No penalty.
6.9 OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE
The stroke is a foul. Any jumped ball(s) is spotted after the balls come to
rest.
6.10 CUE BALL AFTER JUMPING OFF TABLE/SCRATCH
Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string, unless the provision
of Rule of Play 6.7.2, 6.7.5 or Rule 6.12 (below) apply to the offender's foul
and dictate alternate choices or procedures.
6.11 PENALTIES FOR FOULS
One point deducted for each foul. Note: penalties are more severe for deliberate
fouls (Rule of Play 6.7.5) and third "Successive Fouls" (Rule 6.12
below). Incoming player accepts cue ball in position unless foul was a jumped
cue ball, pocket scratch, deliberate foul (Rule of Play 6.7.5) or third successive
foul.
6.12 SUCCESSIVE FOUL PENALTIES
When a player commits a foul, penalization is one point (or more as appropriate)
and a notation is made and posted by the scorer that the player is "on
a foul." The player remains "on a foul" until the next shot attempt,
at which time the foul may be removed by successfully pocketing a called ball,
or completing a legal safety. If failing to meet these requirements on the next
turn at the table, the player is penalized one point. The notation is changed
to "on two fouls." If he fails to meet the requirements of successfully
pocketing a called ball or completing a legal safety on the third consecutive
turn at the table, penalization is one point and an additional penalty of 15
points is assessed (a total of 18 points for three consecutive fouls equals
-18 points). The commission of a third successive foul automatically clears
the offender's record of fouls. The incoming player then has choice of (1) accepting
the table in position, or (2) having all 15 balls reracked and requiring the
offending player to shoot under the requirements of the opening break. Rules
for the opening break apply. It should be emphasized that successive fouls must
be committed in successive turns (or playing attempts), not merely in successive
innings. For example, if a player ends inning six with a foul, steps to the
table for inning seven and fouls (he is "on two fouls"), and then
starts inning eight with a legally pocketed ball before scratching on his second
shot attempt of the inning, he has not committed three successive fouls, even
though there were fouls in three successive innings. As soon as he legally pocketed
the ball to start inning eight, he cleared the two fouls. He is, of course,
"on one foul" when he plays the first stroke attempt of inning nine.
6.13 SCORING NOTE
The deduction of penalty points can result in negative scores. A running score
can read "minus one," "minus two," "minus 15,"
etc. (A player can win a game with a score of 150 while the opponent has scored
but two fouls. The final score would read 150 to -2.) If a player fouls on a
shot that has not pocketed a ball, the point penalty is deducted from his score
at the end of the previous inning. If a player fouls and pockets a ball on the
same shot, that ball is spotted (not scored) and the point penalty is deducted
from his score at the end of the previous inning.
