Straight Pool was originally created in the 15th century. It was very popular in America until the 1980s, when it was replaced with eight-ball and nine ball. It was also featured on the 1961 film The Hustler. Jayshaw set the current straight pool record at 714 points in 2022.
In a straight pool game, there is no limit on how many objects can be stolen. Any ball that is spotted on a table can be taken by the shooter, except the apex. A shooter may pocket a ball in open positions or on safety. However, the point earned by pocketing a ball is not included. You can also pocket a ball on a tie-up, dead or other situations.
The only restriction in straight pool is that the shooter can never run ten balls. After the cue ball has been taken, the shooter will keep the last object ball in the rack. The shooter will finish the game by taking the last object from the table.
Straight Pool is one the few games that can easily be played with two players. It can be played with a standard 15ball rack. Each player can pocket the last ball in a set and then break the next 14 balls. The game is won by the player with the highest number of points.
The opening break is the shot that you take in straight pool. It is normally a soft break, designed to nick the bottom corner ball off the pack. The cueball can be then rolled along three rails into the corner.