---

Rules for 14.1 CONTINUOUS (STRAIGHT) POOL

---

Contents:

1. TYPE OF GAME
2. PLAYERS
3. BALLS USED
4. THE RACK
5. OBJECT OF THE GAME
6. SCORING
7. OPENING BREAK
8. RULES OF PLAY
9. ILLEGALLY POCKET BALLS
10. JUMPED OBJECT BALLS
11. CUE BALL AFTER SCRATCH
12. SPOTTING BALLS
13. PENALTIES FOR FOULS
14. SUCCESSIVE FOUL PENALTIES
15. SCORING NOTE
16. RACKING DECISION TABLE

Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.

14.1 Continuous is generally considered the game that provides the greatest all-around test of complete pocket billiard playing skill, requiring great concentration, accuracy, shot-making, defense, patience and knowledge. It is the only commonly played game in which a shooter can play a single inning through rack after rack of balls. Players may shoot at any ball on the table at any time, but they must call the ball and the pocket on each shot. Unending variety ... and challenge.

Two players (or two teams).

Standard set of object balls numbered 1-15 plus a cue ball.

Standard triangle rack with front apex ball on the foot spot, 1 ball on the right corner, 5 ball on the left corner. Other balls placed at random.

Score the predetermined point total for a game prior to the opponent. This is usually 150 in major tournament play or any agreed upon total in casual play. In block play a predetermined number of blocks is played, usually three. Blocks totals are usually set to 125 balls for major tournament play.

A player is credited with a point each time he makes a legal shot.

Starting player must either (1) designate a ball and a pocket into which that ball will be pocket and accomplish the shot, or (2) cause the cue ball to contact a ball and then a cushion, and have 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 two 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 re-racked and requiring the offending player to repeat the opening break. That choice continues until the opening break is not a break 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 (leaves playing surface and does not return) 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.

NOTE: If the cue ball goes directly into a pocket without touching a cushion (keeping in mind that the facings on the side of the pocket opening are not part of the cushion) the requirements of the opening break are not met. This results in a break violation and not a scratch.

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 he chooses, but before he shoots, must designate the called ball and the called pocket. He need not indicate any detail such as kisses, caroms, combinations, or cushions (all of which are legal). Any additionally pocketed ball(s) on a legal stroke is scored as one point for the shooter (for each ball).

If a referee incorrectly calls a shot, a player should correct him before completing the shot. If a wrong call does occur for any reason, the shot shall be credited if, in the referee's judgment, the player did legally execute the shot as intended.

On all shots, a player must cause the cue ball to contact an object ball and then (1) pocket an object ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or any object 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 legal safeties on that ball using only the near rail. If such safety play is employed that object ball is the 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 his first cue ball contact with that object ball on his third shot.

NOTE: if a player has committed a foul on his previous shot effort before playing this ball, he is allowed only one legal safety on the ball using the near rail. He must then meet the requirements of the "frozen ball" rule on his next shot. If he has committed two consecutive fouls, he must immediately meet the requirements of the "frozen ball" rule when playing this object ball. If the 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 fifteen balls are then re-racked and the player committing the infraction is required to break as at the beginning of the game.

When the fourteenth ball of a rack is pocketed, play stops momentarily with the fifteenth ball remaining in position on the table; the fourteen pocketed balls are then racked (with the space at the foot spot vacant). The player then continues, normally pocketing the fifteenth (or "break") ball in such a 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 fifteenth ball; he may shoot any ball he desires. If the fifteenth ball is pocketed on the same stroke as the fourteenth ball player sees a full rack.

A player may call a safety rather than an object ball (for defensive purposes). Safety play is legal, but must comply with all the applicable rules. 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.

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). If he does, he is penalized for a major-foul. All fifteen balls are re-racked and the offending player must shoot under the requirements of the opening break.

If the fifteenth (unpocketed) ball of a rack and/or the cue ball interferes with the triangle being lowered straight down onto the position of racking, refer to the Racking Table Diagram, which indicates the proper manner of relocating the balls. (The "--N/A--" boxes are those situations in which there is no interference, both balls remain in position.)

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 at his request. If two or more balls are an equal distance from the head string, the player may designate which of the equidistant balls he desires to have spotted.

All spotted. No penalty.

All spotted after all the balls come to rest. No penalty.

Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string, unless the provision of rule of play number 2, 5 or the "successive fouls penalties" (below) apply to the offender's foul and dictate alternate choices or procedures.

If the rack has not been disturbed and a ball needs to be spotted it will go on the foot spot. If it does not fit tightly to the two balls behind it a rack may be used to get a tight rack.

One point deducted for each foul; note: more severe penalties for deliberate fouls (rule of play #5) and third "successive fouls" (below). Incoming player accepts cue ball in position unless foul was a jumped cue ball, pocket scratch, deliberate foul (rule of play #5) or third successive foul.

When a player commits a foul, he is penalized one point (or more as appropriate) and a notation is made and posted by the scorer that he is "on a foul." The player remains "on a foul" until his next shot attempt, at which time he may remove the foul by successfully pocketing a called ball or completing a legal safety. If he fails to meet these requirements, he is penalized another 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 his third consecutive turn at the table, the appropriate foul penalty is deducted from his score in addition to a major foul penalty (calculated on the basis of the number of balls that player is spotting during the match). The commission of a third successive foul automatically clears the offenders record of fouls.

NOTE: A major penalty will only be assessed if the shooter was told they were on two fouls before going to the table, while on two fouls. If they were not so informed, and foul, they will only incur the normal foul penalty (but not a major foul penalty) and remain "on two fouls".

After the commission of the third consecutive foul, all the balls are re-racked and the offending player is required to make a legal break shot. If the offending player does not complete a legal break shot, it is considered a breaking violation, and his opponent has the option of accepting the table in position or requiring the offending player to execute another break shot.

The deduction of penalty points can result in negative scores. A running score can read "minus one," "minus two," "minus fifteen," etc. (a player can win a game with a score of 150 while his opponent has scored but two fouls. The final score would read 150 to -2.)

(NMT house-rule)
Masse foul: When the tip of the cue touches the felt on a Masse shot, it is a loss of two points.