Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply. o
Derived from the rules of CRIBBAGE Pool by Ray and Greg using a twist to make it continuous in the sense of 14.1 (Straight Pool).
To score a 'cribbage' the shooter must, on one or two strokes, sink two balls whose numbers add to fifteen. Played to a predetermined number of cribbages.
Individuals, or teams (Scotch-like or not).
Object balls numbered 1-15, plus the cue ball.
The starting rack has its apex on the foot spot and the 15-ball in the center of the triangle (as the 8 is in 8-ball). Other balls are placed randomly with the condition that no two corner balls add to fifteen.
Subsequent racks will be fourteen balls randomly placed with the apex ball position empty (as in 14.1). The above restriction on corner balls (which are now four balls) still holds.
** VARIATION: **
If a Baseball set of balls (numbered from 1 through 21) is
available the magic number could be 21 instead of 15 (i.e. whatever
usually applies to the 15-ball would then apply to the 21-ball, and
the 15-ball would just be an ordinary ball). There would also
be three more pairs to go for.
(The SPLIT would likely be more
important too).
To reach a predetermined number (typically 15 or 30) of Cribbages (pairs of balls which add to 15) before your opponents.
The opening break starts with cue ball out of the kitchen. At least four objects balls must be driven at to a cushion (doesn't have to be the same cushion!). If this doesn't happen the next player has the option of re-break (by the opening player) or taking balls as they sit.
While not a call shot game it benefits the shooter to announce the first ball of each cribbage attempt. This becomes useful in some cases where a SPLIT is invoked.
A cribbage is legally scored when a pair of balls are sunk which add to 15. The 15-ball never counts as a cribbage.
Once the first ball of the pair is sunk it determines which ball is needed to complete the cribbage. At that point the shooter is "on" the second ball and it must be the first ball contacted by the cue ball for the shot to be valid (there is an exception when playing a SPLIT).
If more than two balls fall on a single stroke they will be spotted and the shooter's turn ends.
Usually a cribbage is scored in two strokes, with each ball of the pair being made on a separate stroke (a ball must be made to continue shooting). Both balls making a cribbage are allowed to be sunk on a single stroke though.
If two balls fall, on a single stroke, that don't make a cribbage they will be spotted and the shooter's turn ends unless either of the following applies.
NOTE:
When a Cribbage is not scored the table should be checked to be sure
all balls on it have an associated partner which allows for a
Cribbage. If the incoming shooter does not verify this and
finds he can not complete a Cribbage due to a missing ball his turn
will end and appropriate spotting will take place (no foul, just make
sure all balls will pair-up for Cribbages).
WARNING:
Deciding to play a split may cost the shooter a cribbage. In
order to play a split the shooter must have a cribbage (previously
scored) to risk on not making the split. If the split is not
made the shooter will lose 1 cribbage. The shooter can not
"go in the hole" to play a split.
There must be five or more cribbage pairs on the table for a split to be declared.
When a split is announced the shooter is actively pursuing two Cribbages as one unit. No other cribbage can be started while playing a split.
While pursuing a split the shooter can shoot any of other balls (needed to complete the split) in any order. The first-contact restriction (see SCORING) on the second ball of each cribbage doesn't hold while trying to complete a split.
When a split is completed play continues as normal.
WARNING:
Deciding to play a wild-15 may cost the shooter a cribbage. In
order to play it the shooter must have a cribbage (previously scored)
to risk on playing it. If a cribbage is not made after the
15-ball is sunk the shooter will lose 1 cribbage. The shooter
can not "go in the hole" to play it.
Once each rack each player has the option of shooting the 15-ball after the rack has been disturbed. This may be useful in gaining position to start a cribbage attempt.
NOTE:
A split can be used to complete the required cribbage.
That then means the split must be made, otherwise the player loses 2
Cribbages (one for the split failing and then another for the wild-15
failing due to the split failing).
NOTE:
The 15-ball is to be spotted before the next stroke whenever it leaves
the playing surface (and doesn't return on its own).
The first place to spot the 15-ball is on the center-spot. If that spot is blocked then the 15-ball will be spotted on the head-spot, Should the head-spot be blocked then the 15-ball will be spotted at the top of the spotting string, which starts at the foot-spot (in front of the foot-spot if it is blocked).
Once all Cribbages from a rack have been scored (i.e. the 15-ball is the only object-ball remaining) the cue-ball and 15-ball will remain as is and the 1->14 balls will be racked as for 14.1 Continuous.
The 15-ball can then be used to continue the shooter's turn, or a shot can be called out of the rack.
So long as the rack has not been disturbed the 15-ball can be sunk in an attempt to open up the rack. If the 15-ball is sunk AND the rack touched the shooter continues at the table – otherwise their turn is over. Once the rack has been disturbed contacting the 15-ball first – except when playing a WILD 15-BALL will be considered a foul and cost the shooter a cribbage.
Any illegally pocketed balls will be spotted, in numerical order with lowest numbered ball closest to the foot spot.
Any object balls which leave the playing surface (and don't return to it) will be spotted, in numerical order with the lowest ball closest to the foot spot.
Will be put into play from behind the head string. (Shooter must play out of the kitchen.)
PENALTY FOR FOULSOffending player will deduct 1 cribbage from his score (this can result in a negative score). If the table has any Cribbages to spot (i.e. there are less than seven on the table that rack) it will be spotted, with the lowest ball closest to the foot spot.
Cue ball will stay as is when the foul is not a scratch.