Straight Pool was invented in the 15th Century. It was popular in the United States from the 1960s until it was abandoned by eight-ball or nine-ball. It was also featured prominently in The Hustler (61). 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. The shooter can pocket any ball that is spotted on the table, unless it is the apex ball. The shooter can either pocket the ball in an open or safety position, but it does not count towards a point. A tie-up ball or dead ball can also be used as a pocket.
The only restriction in straight pool is that the shooter can never run ten balls. The shooter must take out the cueball and then keep the remaining object balls in the rack. When he finishes, he will pocket the last object ball left in the table.
Straight Pool can be played by two people. It can be played with a standard 15ball rack. Each player can take the last ball from a set and then he or she can break the remaining 14 balls. The winner of the game is the player with more points.
The opening break in straight pool refers to the shot that is taken first. 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.