WPA 7.1
Who breaks
Players lag to decide who shoots first.
Straight pool (14.1 continuous)
Fifteen balls, any of which you can call. Every legally pocketed called ball scores a point, and the first player to the agreed score wins. When 14 balls are down, they're re-racked and the same player keeps shooting.
The short version
- Call ball and pocket on every shot; any ball may be called.
- One point per ball, including extra balls that drop on a legal called shot.
- Fouls cost points (scores can go negative): one point for a standard foul, two for a breaking foul, and an extra 15 for three fouls in a row.
- After 14 balls, re-rack and keep shooting.
Jump to rule
Straight pool rules
WPA 7.2
The rack
For the opening break all 15 balls are racked in a triangle with the front ball on the foot spot. For later racks, the 14 balls go in with the front position left empty. The outline of the triangle is marked on the cloth so it's clear whether a ball is inside the rack area.
WPA 7.3
The opening break
You break with ball in hand behind the head string. Unless you pocket a called ball, the cue ball and two object balls must each reach a rail after the cue ball hits the rack — otherwise it's a breaking foul (minus two points). Your opponent may then accept the table or make you break again, as many times as needed.
WPA 7.4
Continuing play and winning
You stay at the table as long as you legally pocket called balls, or until you reach the winning score. When 14 balls of a rack are down, play pauses while they're re-racked, and you continue.
WPA 7.5
Calling shots
Every shot is called. You may call “safety”; play then passes to your opponent and any ball pocketed on the safety is spotted.
WPA 7.6
Spotting balls
Balls pocketed on a foul or a safety, balls pocketed without the called ball going in, and any ball knocked off the table are spotted.
WPA 7.7
Scoring
A legally pocketed called ball scores one point, and every other ball that drops on that shot scores one point too. Fouls subtract points, so scores can be negative.
WPA 7.8
When balls are in the way of the re-rack
If the 15th ball drops on the shot that scores the 14th, all 15 are re-racked. If both the cue ball and the 15th ball are inside the rack area, all 15 are re-racked and the cue ball is in hand behind the head string. If only the 15th ball is in the way, it goes on the head spot (centre spot if the cue ball blocks the head spot). If only the cue ball is in the way, it's in hand behind the head string — unless the 15th ball is above the head string, in which case the cue ball goes on the head spot (or centre spot). After a re-rack you may play any ball first.
WPA 7.9
Standard fouls
Each standard foul costs one point; balls are spotted as needed and play passes over, with the cue ball left where it is — except after a scratch or cue ball off the table, when your opponent has ball in hand behind the head string. The fouls are: scratch, no rail after contact, no foot on the floor, ball off the table (all are spotted), touched ball, double hit, push shot, shooting while balls move, bad cue ball placement, bad play from behind the head string, playing out of turn, slow play and the rack-template foul.
WPA 7.10
Breaking foul
A breaking foul costs two points and may mean breaking again. If a shot is both a standard foul and a breaking foul, it counts as a breaking foul.
WPA 7.11
Three fouls in a row
Only standard fouls count towards three in a row (breaking fouls don't). On the third you lose one point for the foul plus a 15-point penalty, your foul count resets, all 15 balls are re-racked and you must break again under opening-break rules.
WPA 7.12
Stalemate
Players lag again for an opening break; the score carries over.