Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
TYPE OF GAME
14.1 Continuous is generally considered the game that provides
the greatest all-around test of complete pocket billiard playing skill,
requiring great concentration, accuracy, shot-making, defense, patience
and knowledge. It is the only commonly played game in which a shooter
can play a single inning through rack after rack of balls. Players may
shoot at any ball on the table at any time, but they must call the ball
and the pocket on each shot. Unending variety ... and challenge.
PLAYERS
Two players (or two teams).
BALLS USED
Standard set of object balls numbered 1-15 plus a cue ball.
THE RACK
Standard triangle rack with front apex ball on the foot spot, 1
ball on the right corner, 5 ball on the left corner. Other
balls placed at random.
OBJECT OF THE GAME
Score the predetermined point total for a game prior to the opponent.
This is usually 150 in major tournament play or any agreed upon total in
casual play. In block play a predetermined number of blocks is played,
usually three. Blocks totals are usually set to 125 balls for major
tournament play.
SCORING
A player is credited with a point each time he makes a legal shot.
OPENING BREAK
Starting player must either (1) designate a ball and a pocket
into which that ball will be pocket and accomplish the shot, or
(2) cause the cue ball to contact a ball and then a cushion,
plus cause two object balls to contact a cushion. Failure to
meet at least one of the above requirements is a breaking
violation. Offender's score is assessed a two point penalty for
each breaking violation. In addition, the opponent has the
choice of (1) accepting the table in position, or (2) having the
balls re-racked and requiring the offending player to repeat the
opening break. That choice continues until the opening break is
not a break violation, or until the opponent accepts the table
in position. The three successive fouls rule does not apply to
breaking violations.
If the starting scratches on a legal opening break, he is
charged with a foul and assessed a one point penalty, which
applies toward the "successive fouls penalties." the incoming
player is awarded cue ball in hand behind the head string, with
object balls in position.
RULES OF PLAY
A legally pocketed ball entitles a shooter to continue at the
table until he fails to legally pocket a called ball on a shot.
A player may shoot any ball he choses, but before he shoots,
must designate the called ball and the called pocket. He need
not indicate any detail such as kisses, caroms, combinations, or
cushions (all of which are legal). Any additionally pocketed
ball(s) on a legal stroke is scored as one point for the shooter
(for each ball).
If a referee incorrectly calls a shot, a player should correct him before completing the shot. If a mis-call does occur for any reason, the shot shall be credited if, in the referee's judgment, the player did legally execute the shot as intended.
On all shots, a player must cause the cue ball to contact an object ball and then (1) pocket an object ball, or (2) cause the cue ball or any object ball to contact a cushion. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.
When an object ball is not frozen to a cushion, but is within a ball's width of a cushion (referee to determine by measurement if necessary), a player is permitted only two legal safeties on that ball using only the near rail. If such safety play is employed that object ball is the considered frozen to the rail on the player's next inning. The general rules of pocket billiards, "frozen balls" requirements apply if the player chooses to make his first cue ball contact with that object ball on his third shot.
(NOTE: if a player has committed a foul on his previous shot effort before playing this ball, he is allowed only one legal safety on the ball using the near rail. He must then meet the requirements of the "frozen ball" rule on his next shot. If he has committed two consecutive fouls, he must immediately meet the requirements of the "frozen ball" rule when playing this object ball. If the player fails to meet the requirements of the "frozen ball" rule, he is considered to have committed a third successive foul and the appropriate point penalty is assessed as well as one point for each of the previous fouls. All fifteen balls are then re-racked and the player committing the infraction is required to break as at the beginning of the game.)
When the fourteenth ball of a rack is pocketed, play stops momentarily with the fifteenth ball remaining in position on the table; the fourteen pocketed balls are then racked (with the space at the foot spot vacant). The player then continues, normally pocketing the fifteenth (or "break") ball in such a manner as to have the cue ball carom into the rack and spread the balls to facilitate the continuance of his run. However, player is not compelled to shoot the fifteenth ball; he may shoot any ball he desires. If the fifteenth ball is pocketed on the same stroke as the fourteenth ball player sees a full rack.
A player may call a safety rather than an object ball (for defensive purposes). Safety play is legal, but must comply with all the applicable rules. Player's inning ends when a safety is played, and pocketed balls are not scored. Any object ball pocketed on a called safety is spotted.
A player may not catch, touch, or in any way interfere with a ball as it travels toward a pocket or the rack area on a shot (to include catching a ball as it enters a pocket by having a hand in the pocket). If he does, he is penalized for a major-foul. All fifteen balls are re-racked and the offending player must shoot under the requirements of the opening break.
If the fifteenth (unpocketed) ball of a rack and/or the cue ball interferes with the triangle being lowered straight down onto the position of racking, refer to the Racking Table Diagram, which indicates the proper manner of relocating the balls. (The "--N/A--" boxes are those situations in which there is no interference, both balls remain in position.)
When a player has the cue ball in hand behind the head string
(as after a scratch) and all object balls are behind the head
string, the object ball nearest the head string may be spotted
at his request. If two or more balls are an equal distance from
the head string, the player may designate which of the
equidistant balls he desires to have spotted.
ILLEGALLY POCKET BALLS
All spotted. No penalty.
JUMPED OBJECT BALLS
All spotted after all the balls come to rest. No penalty.
CUE BALL AFTER JUMP OR SCRATCH
Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string,
unless the provision of rule of play number 2, 5 or the
"successive fouls penalties" (below) apply to the offender's
foul and dictate alternate choices or procedures.
PENALTIES FOR FOULS
One point deducted for each foul; note: more severe penalties
for deliberate fouls (rule of play #5) and third "successive
fouls" (below). Incoming player accepts cue ball in position
unless foul was a jumped cue ball, pocket scratch, deliberate
foul (rule of play #5) or third successive foul.
SUCCESSIVE FOUL PENALTIES
When a player commits a foul, he is penalized one point (or more
as appropriate) and a notation is made and posted by the scorer
that he is "on a foul." The player remains "on a foul" until
his next shot attempt, at which time he may remove the foul by
successfully pocketing a called ball or completing a legal
safety. If he fails to meet these requirements on his next
turn, at the table, he is penalized one point. The notation is
changed to "on two fouls." If he fails to meet the requirements
of successfully pocketing a called ball or completing a legal
safety on his third consecutive turn at the table, the
appropriate point penalty is deducted from his score and an
extra number of points is also deducted (calculated on the basis
of the number of balls that player is spotting during the match.
See successive foul table). The commission of a third
successive foul automatically clears the offenders record of
fouls.
After the commission of the third consecutive foul, all the
balls are re-racked and the offending player is required to make
a legal break shot. If the offending player does not complete a
legal break shot, it is considered a breaking violation, and his
opponent has the option of accepting the table in position or
requiring the offending player to execute another break shot.
SCORING NOTE
The deduction of penalty points can result in negative scores.
A running score can read "minus one," "minus two," "minus
fifteen," etc. (a player can win a game with a score of 150
while his opponent has scored but two fouls. The final score
would read 150 to -2.)
If a player fouls on a shot that has not pocketed a ball, the point penalty is deducted from his score at the end of the previous inning. If a player fouls and pockets a ball on the same shot, that ball is spotted (not scored) and the point is deducted from his score at the end of the previous inning.
Masse foul: When the tip of the cue touches the felt on a Masse shot, it is a loss of two points.
-- Racking Table Diagram -- |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
Cue Ball Position |
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| In the Rack | Not in Rack and Not on Head Spot | On the Head Spot | ||
Last Ball Position |
In the Rack | Last Ball to Foot Spot. Cue Ball to Kitchen. | Last Ball to Head Spot. Cue Ball as is. | Last Ball to Center Spot. Cue Ball as is. |
| Pocketed | Last Ball to Foot Spot. Cue Ball to Kitchen. | Last Ball to Foot Spot. Cue Ball as is. | Last Ball to Foot Spot. Cue Ball as is. | |
| On Head Spot | Last Ball as is. Cue Ball to Center Spot. | --N/A-- | --N/A-- | |
| In Kitchen (not on Head Spot) | Last Ball as is. Cue Ball to Head Spot. | --N/A-- | --N/A-- | |
| Elsewhere | Last Ball as is. Cue Ball to Kitchen. | --N/A-- | --N/A-- | |