Straight pool is a type of pocket billiards game in which a player is required to call which object ball they are going to pocket and to which pocket. The game is played in only a few countries like the United States, Argentina, Japan and some European countries.
Fifteen object balls are used and the game is played on a regular billiards table with six pockets. The object balls are arranged in a triangular shape with the 1-ball and the 5-ball on the two edges, and the other balls randomly arranged within the triangle. One point is awarded for every object ball that is rightly called and pocketed. There is no specific order for pocketing, and any numbered ball can be pocketed at any time. A game is usually played for 100 points, but tournaments are mostly played for 125 points.
A player loses turn if the called ball is not pocketed, or pockets it in a wrong pocket. Multiple object balls can be pocketed in a single shot as long as the called ball falls on the called pocket, if not, the other balls are re-spotted and the player's turn ends. Incorrect pocketing results in a foul, and like most billiards games, three fouls results in disqualification.
Similar Sports
- Pocket Billiards — also known as Pool, it is the name for a range of cue sports played on a table with six pockets along the rails, into which the main aim is to hit balls into the pockets.
- See Cue Sports (general)
Related Pages
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports