Straight Pool was created in the early 15th century. It was popularized in the United States up until the 1980s. Eight-ball and nineball replaced it. It was also featured in the 1961 film The Hustler. Jayshaw established the current straight-pool record of 714 point in 2022.
There are no limitations on the number and type of object balls that can go in straight pool games. The shooter is allowed to pocket any ball spotted on the board, except the apex. The shooter can either pocket the ball in an open or safety position, but it does not count towards a point. 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. The shooter will always keep the last remaining object ball in the rack after the cueball is taken. When he finishes, he will pocket the last object ball left in the table.
Straight Pool is one of the few games that can be played with two players. Straight Pool is played using a standard 15-ball rack. Each player can pocket the last ball in a set and then break the next 14 balls. The game is won if one player has the most points.
The first shot in straight pool is called the opening break. It is usually soft break. This is done to grab the bottom corner balls from the pack. The cueball can be then rolled along three rails into the corner.