Official Tournament Format and Rules for Straight Pool
Tournament Format
The tournament is a single-elimination tournament for Rossmoor residents only. All participants will compete in the same tournament bracket. The tournament bracket will be filled by random draw with no seeding.
A match is determined by the first player to reach a score of 35 points.
Overview of Tournament Rules
Winner of a coin flip has choice of whether to break or not.
All shots must be called shots.
A 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.
Each ball pocketed on a legal called shot counts one point; each additional ball pocketed on such a shot also counts one point.
One point is subtracted for fouls, except two points are subtracted for a breaking foul.
Three consecutive fouls incur an additional 15-point penalty.
Opponent gets ball in hand in the kitchen after cue ball scratch and off-the-table fouls.
All balls pocketed on fouls, on safeties, or without a called ball having been pocketed and all balls driven off the table are spotted.
Official Tournament Rules
These rules are for the game of straight pool or 14.1 continuous pool. The tournament director is the final authority on interpretation of these rules. It is the responsibility of the players to know and understand these rules before competing. The most important rule is to have fun, be honest, and be respectful to the other players.
1.0 Object of the Game
Each ball pocketed on a legal called shot counts one point and the first player to reach the required score wins the match.
2.0 The Coin Flip
At the beginning of a match, one of the players will do a coin flip and the other will call it. The winner of the coin flip has a choice of whether to break or not.
3.0 Racking the Balls
The player breaking must rack the balls. The 15 balls are to be racked as tightly as possible in a triangle with the apex ball placed on the foot spot. The order of the balls is immaterial. When the balls are re-racked, the apex ball is omitted if only 14 balls are being racked. The outline of the triangle will be used to determine whether an intended break ball or the cue ball is in the rack area. The opponent may inspect the rack and, if not satisfied with the rack, may require the breaker to re-rack the balls one time. After one re-rack, if the players cannot agree that the rack is suitable, the tournament director will rack the balls for that break.
4.0 Called Shot
Players are required to call all shots. A called shot is defined as indicating the intended object ball and pocket, if they are not obvious. Details of the shot, such as cushions to be struck or other balls to be contacted or pocketed are irrelevant. Only one ball may be called on each shot. A player may call “safety” in which case play passes to the opponent after the shot and any object ball pocketed on the safety is spotted.
5.0 Opening Break Shot
The cue ball begins in hand behind the head string (in the kitchen). If no called ball is pocketed, the cue ball and two object balls must each be driven to a rail or the breaker commits a breaking foul. A breaking foul is penalized by subtracting two points from the breaker’s score. 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-breaking player accepts the table in position.
6.0 Continuing Play
A shooter remains at the table until they miss a called shot, commit a foul, or win the game by scoring the required number of points. When 14 balls from a rack have been legally pocketed, play is suspended until those balls are re-racked. There is no restriction on which object ball the shooter may play as the first shot of the new rack. If a player commits three consecutive standard fouls, all 15 balls are re-racked and the offending player is required to shoot under the requirements of the opening break.
7.0 Scoring
The shooter score 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. A third consecutive standard foul, excluding a breaking foul, is penalized one point for the third foul as usual and then an additional 15-point penalty is subtracted and the player’s consecutive foul count is reset to zero (see also to 6.0). Scores may be negative due to penalties from fouls.
8.0 Jump Shots
Jump shots are legal as long as the cue ball is not struck under the center line that is parallel to the surface of the table.
9.0 Spotting Balls
All balls pocketed on fouls, on safeties, or without a called ball having been pocketed and all balls driven off the table are spotted. If the 15th ball of a rack needs to be spotted and the 14 balls have not been touched, the 15th ball is spotted on the apex spot.
10.0 Special Racking Situations
When the cue ball or the 15th object ball interferes with racking 14 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.
a. If the 15th ball was pocketed on the shot that scored the 14th ball, all 15 balls are re-racked.
b. If both balls interfere, all 15 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 and the 15th ball is in front of or on the head string, the cue ball is in hand behind the head string.
e. If only the cue ball interferes and the 15th 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.
11.0 End of Inning
If a player fails to pocket a called ball on a legal shot, that player's inning ends and the opponent takes the table where the balls lie. A player’s inning also ends if a foul is committed (see 12.0).
12.0 Fouls
The following are standard fouls:
a. The cue ball is pocketed or driven off the table. (Opponent gets cue ball in hand in the kitchen.)
b. The cue ball fails to contact an object ball.
c. After the cue ball contacts an object ball, the player fails to drive at least one ball (cue ball or any object ball) to a rail in situations where no called ball is pocketed on a shot or a safety is called.
d. The shooter does not have at least one foot touching the floor at the instant the tip contacts the cue ball.
e. An object ball is driven off the table.
f. A player touches, moves, or changes the path of any object ball except by the normal ball-to-ball contacts during shots or touches, moves, or changes the path of the cue ball except when it is in hand or by the normal tip-to-ball forward stroke contact of a shot. The shooter is responsible for the equipment he controls at the table that may be involved in such fouls.
g. A cue stick contacts the cue ball more than once on a shot.
h. The tip-to-cue-ball contact is prolonged beyond that seen in normal shots as in a push shot.
i. A shot is begun while any ball in play is moving or spinning.
j. The cue ball is played from on or beyond the head string when it was restricted to the kitchen. (Opponent gets cue ball in hand in the kitchen.)
k. A player plays out of turn.
13.0 Referees
Players are to referee their own games and are expected to call fouls on themselves when they know they have committed a foul. In the case of a dispute, the tournament director has final authority on interpretation of these rules as applicable to the situation in dispute.
14.0 Conduct Unbecoming a Sportsperson
While a competitive sport, players are expected to demonstrate a superior level of sportsperson-like conduct. In the event a player exhibits behavior that the tournament director finds unacceptable, they will issue one warning. If behavior continues, the tournament director will issue a disqualification. The following are some examples of potential infractions:
a. Distracting the opponent.
b. Making derogatory comments to any player or spectator.
c. Receiving coaching or support.
d. Changing the position of the balls in play other than by a shot.
e. Playing a shot by intentionally miscuing.
f. Continuing to play after a foul has been called or play has been suspended.
g. Practicing during a match.
h. Marking the table.
i. Delaying the game.
j. Using equipment inappropriately.
15.0 Not Ready to Shoot
If the player whose turn it is at the table is not there to approach the table, the tournament director should be called. For each two-minute interval that a player is gone from the table, the tournament director will issue a penalty by awarding a game to the player who is present.
16.0 Late for a Match
If a player is more than five minutes late for a scheduled match, the player forfeits the match. If a player is known to be at the tournament site, but not at the table for a scheduled match, opponent should call the tournament director at which time rule 15.0 will be exercised. If both players are late for a scheduled match, both will forfeit the match and it will count as a loss for both players.
17.0 Reporting Match Result
It is the winning player's responsibility to report the match result to the tournament director immediately after the match. Failing to turn in a match result can result in a forfeit for the non-recorded match.
18.0 Intoxication
If the tournament director deems that a player is drunk, high on drugs, or in any way intoxicated or impaired by a legal or illegal substance, the player will be disqualified from the tournament.
