14.1 racking rules for all possible positions of cue ball + 15th ball at end of rack

arnaldo

arnaldo

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
14.1 racking rules for all possible positions of cue ball + 15th ball at end of each rack

FWIW: About 20 years ago I transposed the BCA rule book chart into a verbalized form and eventually provided it to various room owners and assorted venues where I’ve played. It was very welcomed by all for being far clearer to follow than that BCA chart which many emerging 14.1 players and even old hands at the game often found more than a bit confusing. Here it is for anyone's printout if you care to, with my blessing (during a game all a player has to do is read the first 6 or 7 words in each of the 3 groups to immediately zero in on their particular situation and the paragraph that answers it):
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Straight Pool racking rules for all possible positions of cue ball and 15th ball at the end of each rack

When the 15th ball lies in the rack and the cue ball is also in the rack, the 15th ball is placed on the foot spot (thus all object balls are racked as 15 balls together) and the cue ball is in hand anywhere “in the kitchen” (kitchen means behind the head string).

When the 15th ball lies in the rack and the cue ball lies not in the rack and not blocking the head spot, the 15th ball is placed on the head spot and the cue ball remains in its position.

When the 15th ball lies in the rack and cue ball lies blocking the head spot, the 15th ball is placed on the center spot and the cue ball remains in its position.
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When the 15th ball lies pocketed and the cue ball lies in the rack, the 15th ball is placed on the foot spot (thus all object balls are racked as 15 balls together) and the cue ball is in hand anywhere in the kitchen.

When the 15th ball lies pocketed and the cue ball lies not in the rack and not blocking the head spot, the 15th ball is placed on the foot spot (thus all object balls are racked as 15 balls together) and the cue ball remains in its position.

When the 15th ball lies pocketed and the cue ball lies blocking the head spot, the 15th ball is placed on the foot spot (thus all object balls are racked as 15 balls together) and the cue ball remains in its position.
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When the 15th ball lies behind the head string but not blocking the head spot, and the cue ball lies in the rack, the 15th ball remains in its position and the cue ball is placed on the head spot. (Note that in this situation, after the balls are racked the continuing player is eligible to shoot at the object ball that lies in the kitchen if he/she chooses to.)

When the 15th ball lies not behind the head string and not in the rack, and the cue ball does lie in the rack, the 15th ball remains in its position and the cue ball is in hand anywhere in the kitchen.

When the 15th ball lies blocking the head spot and the cue ball lies in the rack, the cue ball is placed on the center spot.

Arnaldo
 
The WPA rules themselves contain not just the chart, but a written statement of what to do in each situation:

"4.8 Special Racking Situations
When the cue ball or fifteenth object ball interferes with racking fourteen balls for a new rack, the following special rules apply. A ball is considered to interfere with the rack if it is within or overlaps the outline of the rack. The referee will state when asked whether a ball interferes with the rack.
(a) If the fifteenth ball was pocketed on the shot that scored the fourteenth ball, all fifteen balls are re-racked.
(b) If both balls interfere, all fifteen balls are re-racked and the cue ball is in hand behind the head string.
(c) If only the object ball interferes, it is placed on the head spot or the center spot if the cue ball blocks the head spot.
(d) If only the cue ball interferes, then it is placed as follows: if the object ball is in front of or on the head string, the cue ball is in hand behind the head string; if the object ball is behind the head string, the cue ball is spotted on the head spot, or on the center spot if the head spot is blocked.
In any case, there is no restriction on which object ball the shooter may play as the first shot of the new rack."
 
You double sure, Bob?

The latest World Standardized Rules (still) show when both the cue ball and the 15th ball lie in the rack, the 15th ball does indeed go on the FOOT SPOT and the cue ball in hand behind the head string.

Am I missing something or mistaken?

Please let me know if I am - just clarifying and making sure the correct information is out there 😃
 
Last edited:
K2Kraze said:
You double sure, Bob?

The latest World Standardized Rules (still) show when both the cue ball and the 15th ball lie in the rack, the 15th ball does indeed go on the FOOT SPOT and the cue ball in hand behind the head string.

Am I missing something or mistaken?

Please let me know if I am - just clarifying and making sure the correct information is out there 😃
Click to expand...
I was reading too quickly :( ....

But when re-racking all 15 balls, I don't think the position of the 15th ball is specified. I think it is treated like all the others.
 
K2Kraze said:
You double sure, Bob?

The latest World Standardized Rules (still) show when both the cue ball and the 15th ball lie in the rack, the 15th ball does indeed go on the FOOT SPOT and the cue ball in hand behind the head string.

Am I missing something or mistaken?

Please let me know if I am - just clarifying and making sure the correct information is out there 😃
Click to expand...

The rules just specify that all 15 balls are re-racked; it doesn't matter which one goes where. See post #2 above.
 
Bob Jewett said:
I was reading too quickly :( ....

But when re-racking all 15 balls, I don't think the position of the 15th ball is specified. I think it is treated like all the others.
Click to expand...

I think (generally speaking) we will all agree that the gist of the Special Racking Situations pointed out in the World-Standardized Rules, 4.8 concerning when both the cue ball and 15th ball are still located within the rack....that indeed all of the balls are re-racked and play commences with the cue ball behind the head string.

UNLESS you look at Table 1 which is included within rule 4.8, which still says "15th ball: foot spot".

Again - just pointing out how the rule reads - exactly - since a few have opined otherwise. And perhaps worthy of a small wager sometime over a cold draft 😃

Bottom line, it's a full rack to start the next inning.
 
Thanks. I always wondered what would happen in the case below....so now I know....

When the 15th ball lies in the rack and cue ball lies blocking the head spot, the 15th ball is placed on the center spot and the cue ball remains in its position.

I didn't realize that the center spot could be used.
 
Here's the chart

ImageUploadedByTapatalkHD1454717181.831522.jpg
 
Bob Jewett said:
I was reading too quickly :( ....

But when re-racking all 15 balls, I don't think the position of the 15th ball is specified. I think it is treated like all the others.
Click to expand...


Bob foobadded.

Somebody put him on suicide watch :-)

Lou Figueroa
 
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