Pool 14.1

1. Introduction

Pool 14.1 is a billiards game for two players played on a table with six pockets. There are 14 colored balls, a white cue ball and a black ball. Pool 14.1 differs from other billiards games in two main ways:

• Players must nominate or “call” EVERY shot. In other words, players must indicate which ball they are going to shoot and into which pocket.
• Players can shoot for ANY ball at any time.

2. Game objective

Pool 14.1 is a game of points. Players are awarded one point for every legally pocketed, nominated ball. Players lose points when they commit fouls (see table below or Fouls for details). The player that scores the most points wins. Players are allowed to pocket any of the 15 balls on the table (including the black 8-ball) at any time and into any pocket. In Pool 14.1 the black ball is no different from any other colored ball.

3. Players alternate turns

Players can continue shooting until they miss a shot or commit a foul, upon which time the opposing player comes to the table and begins his turn.

4. Points

The “nominated” ball is the ball that you have indicated you will pocket. The “nominated” pocket is the pocket that you have indicated you will sink the nominated ball into. Players earn one point for legally pocketing the nominated ball into the nominated pocket. Each additionally pocketed ball(s) on a legal stroke is scored as a one point for the shooter. See below for more info.

5. The Break

In Pool 14.1 the player that is going to break the rack must nominate a ball and a pocket before breaking. If during the opening break the cue ball does not first contact the nominated ball OR if the cue ball and two additional balls do not come in contact with a cushion, it is a foul and the player loses two points. The opposing player then decides whether to allow play to continue as normal or to force the player to re-rack and re-break. Before the opening break, the player may move the cue ball anywhere behind the baulk line. For all subsequent breaks, the cue ball is placed in the center of the semicircle on the baulk line and cannot be moved. For the opening break, the cue ball must first contact the nominated ball, otherwise it is a foul and the player loses his turn and is penalized two points. For all subsequent breaks, if the cue ball does not first contact the nominated ball, the player loses his turn but is not penalized any points.

6. Fouls

In other billiards games, a common penalty for a foul is to give the opposing player the ball-in-hand. Neither the ball-in-hand penalty nor the penalty of additional turns exists in Pool 14.1. Rather, the deduction of a point is the usual penalty for a foul.

• If a player commits a foul during the break, the opponent is given the option of either allowing play to continue as is OR re-breaking a new rack himself.
• During the break, the cue ball must pocket the nominated ball into the nominated pocket OR the cue ball and two additional balls must touch a cushion. If not, it is a foul and the player loses one point. The opponent will have the option of either continuing to play or re-breaking a new rack himself.
• During the opening break, the cue ball must FIRST contact the nominated ball. If not, it is a foul and the player loses two points. The opposing player decides whether to continue play as normal, or to force the offending player to re-rack and re-break.
• Pocketing the cue ball (scratching) is a foul. The player will lose his turn and lose one point.
• If the cue ball does not come in direct contact with the nominated ball, it is a foul. The player will lose his turn and lose one point. The only exception is if the nominated ball is pocketed into the correct pocket using a combination shot.
• If a player commits three consecutive fouls, all fifteen balls are automatically re-racked and the player must re-break. The player loses fifteen points.

7. End of the game

The close of Pool 14.1 is quite different from other billiards games. When only one ball (in addition to the cue ball) remains on the table, the fourteen other balls are then automatically re-racked and put back on the table in the rack’s original spot, minus the apex ball. The player currently at the table will then have the opportunity to nominate any of the 15 balls on the table and to nominate a pocket. Play then continues as normal. The player should attempt to pocket the nominated ball and to simultaneously disturb the 14 racked balls in a manner such that he can continue his run. The player who first scores 25 points wins and the game ends.