Often considered the game demanding the most skill of the pocket billiards player, 14.1 continuous presents the seasoned and novice player alike with a formidable challenge. If you are an advanced pool player already comfortable with offensive and defensive play, you should find 14.1 continuous an enjoyable game that sharpens your pool skills. If you are a beginner, 14.1 continuous is an excellent game to practice shot calling and making and it will likely improve your overall pool playing. And if you're a fan of older movies, you might be interested in knowing that 14.1 continuous (also known as straight pool), was the game Paul Newman played in the great classic film "The Hustler."
In 14.1 continuous a normal rack of 15 striped and solid balls is used, but there are no sets of balls (as in 8-ball), and you may legally shoot at any ball on the table. Before every shot you make, you must call the ball you intend to pocket and pocket you intend to shoot it into. During a game, every ball you pocket counts one point in your favor. The goal of the game is to score a predetermined number of points (50 points for House 14.1 continuous, and 150 points for Tournament 14.1 continuous). The first player to score the predetermined number of points wins the game.
How, you might be wondering, can I score up to 150 points if there are only 15 balls on the table? The answer lies in the name of the game. When all object balls save one have been pocketed, play stops momentarily while the other 14 object balls are reracked and then play continues. A player's inning at the table continues through the reracking and the game continues in this manner until either you or your opponent scores the predetermined number of points (50 or 150). Games can last quite a while and demand a great deal of concentration, accuracy, shooting skill, knowledge, and patience. No wonder then that 14.1 continuous is considered the ultimate pool challenge!
House 14.1 continuous is played with 15 object balls, numbered 1 to 15, and a cue ball. The goal of each player is to legally pocket 50 balls to score 50 points. The first player to score 50 points wins the game.
Players must call shot. A player's inning at the table ends if he fails to legally pocket the called object ball or if he fouls (see the section called Fouls below).
The opening break in House 14.1 continuous is made by the Starting Player, as set in the Preferences menu. The break must be made from behind the head string. The player must call shot on the break and attempt to pocket the called ball in the designated pocket. Thus, though it is not strictly enforced, an open or semi-open break is expected.
If a player legally pockets the called ball on the opening break, then his inning at the table continues. Any additional balls pocketed along with the called ball are counted one point in his favor.
If a player fails to legally pocket the called ball on the break, his inning ends and the next player's inning begins. Any other balls pocketed during the break are considered illegally pocketed and are spotted.
If a player scratches on the break, then that is a foul. The normal rules for scratching apply (see the section Fouls below).
A player may legally shoot at any ball on the table, but prior to shooting the player must call shot. If a player legally pockets the called ball, then his inning continues. Any additional balls that he pockets while legally pocketing the called object ball count one point in his favor.
If a player fails to legally pocket the called object ball any other balls pocketed on the failed shot are spotted. His inning ends and the table is turned over to his opponent.
If a player fouls for any of the reasons listed below, his inning at the table ends. Any object balls that he pocketed while fouling are spotted and the table is turned over to his opponent.
Scratching. A player may not pocket the cue ball. After a scratch, the incoming player is awarded ball in hand behind the head string.
Illegal shooting from behind the head string: If a player has ball in hand behind the head string (ball in kitchen), then he may not shoot at any object ball in the kitchen until he first drives the cue ball out of the kitchen. If the cue ball hits a cushion and returns to strike an object ball in the kitchen, then that shot is legal. Note: The player may shoot at any object ball not in the kitchen according to the normal rules.
Failure to execute a legal shot. A player must execute a legal shot as defined above in the section called Legal shot.
In House 14.1 continuous, each legally pocketed ball scores the player one point. All illegally pocketed balls are spotted and no points are scored for them. The first player to score 50 points wins the game.
Tournament 14.1 continuous is played with 15 object balls, numbered 1 to 15, and a cue ball. The goal of each player is to legally pocket enough balls to score 150 points. The first player to score 150 points wins the game.
Players must call shot. A player's inning at the table ends if he fails to legally pocket the called object ball or if he fouls (see the section called Fouls below).
The opening break in Tournament 14.1 continuous is made by the Starting Player, as set in the Preferences menu. The break must be made from behind the head string and the player must either call shot on the break or call a safety. A player who does not legally pocket a called ball, must cause the cue ball to contact a cushion after striking an object ball and cause two object balls to contact a cushion. Failure to execute a legal break as thus defined is a breaking violation and the player is assessed a two point penalty.
After a breaking violation, the opponent has the option of accepting the table as is and shooting or requiring the starting player to reshoot the break. The opponent can continue to decline the table until the starting player executes a legal break. The starting player is assessed a 2 point penalty for every breaking violation, but breaking violations do not count towards the three successive fouls rule (described below in the section called Successive Fouls).
If a player legally pockets the called ball on the opening break, then his inning at the table continues. Any additional balls pocketed along with the called ball are counted one point in his favor.
If a player fails to legally pocket the called ball on the break, his inning ends and the next player's inning begins. Any other balls pocketed during the break are considered illegally pocketed and are spotted.
If a player scratches on a legal opening break, then that is a foul and he is assessed a one point penalty. The incoming player is awarded ball in hand behind the head string.
A player may legally shoot at any ball on the table, but prior to shooting the player must call shot. For a shot to be legal, a player must either pocket an object ball, or after the cue ball strikes an object ball cause the cue ball or any object ball to contact a cushion.
If a player legally pockets the called ball, then his inning continues. Any additional balls that he pockets while legally pocketing the called object ball count one point in his favor.
If a player fails to legally pocket the called object ball any other balls pocketed on the failed shot are spotted. His inning ends and the table is turned over to his opponent.
Safety play is permitted in tournament 14.1 continuous A safety play enables a player to end his inning without incurring a foul penalty. A safety play must be a legal shot as defined above in the section called "Legal shot." After a safety play, a player's inning ends and the table is turned over to his opponent. All pocketed balls are spotted.
To call a safety play in Ultimate Pool, click on the brass "Quarter Note Software" plaque located on the head rail of the table before making your safety shot. If you have clicked on the plaque and then change your mind, simply click on a ball and pocket to make a normal shot.
If a player fouls for any of the reasons listed below, his inning at the table ends. Any object balls that he pocketed while fouling are spotted and he is assessed a one point foul penalty. The table is then turned over to his opponent.
Scratching. A player may not pocket the cue ball. After a scratch, the incoming player is awarded ball in hand behind the head string.
Illegal shooting from behind the head string: If a player has ball in hand behind the head string (ball in kitchen), then he may not shoot at any object ball in the kitchen until he first drives the cue ball out of the kitchen. If the cue ball hits a cushion and returns to strike an object ball in the kitchen, then that shot is legal. However, if all object balls on the table lie behind the head string (in the kitchen), then the player may request that the object ball closest to the head string be spotted on the foot spot. The player may then continue shooting normally.
Failure to execute a legal shot. A player must execute a legal shot as defined above in the section called Legal shot.
When a player commits a foul, he is assessed a one point penalty as noted above, but he is also "on foul". Each time a player comes to the table, he is warned of any fouls he has from previous innings. If a player commits three successive fouls in consecutive turns then he is assessed a successive foul penalty. The successive foul penalty is harsh: 30 points (20% of the points needed to win the game) are deducted from the player's score. Thus a successive foul penalty can (and often does) result in a negative score.
After receiving a successive foul penalty, a player's foul count is cleared, and the player is required to shoot an opening break. A player may instead clear his successive foul count without penalty by either legally pocketing a ball or executing a legal safety (as defined above). After a player clears his foul count, he is not assessed a successive foul penalty unless he commits three more successive fouls.
In tournament 14.1 continuous, each legally pocketed ball scores the player one point. All illegally pocketed balls are spotted and no points are scored for them. Points are deducted from a player's score for breaking violations, fouls, and successive fouls. Thus, it is possible for a player to have a negative score.
In order to win the game, a player must score 150 points. The first player to score 150 points wins the game.