Rules question

[Ron F]

The rack finishes with the 15th ball in the kitchen and the cue ball in the rack. What goes where? I've come across and heard several different answers. And the online version of the World Standardized Rules put out by the BCA is silent on it. Anyone know for certain and can provide a link to the source?

Thanks,
Ron F

 

[Bob Jewett]

The rack finishes with the 15th ball in the kitchen and the cue ball in the rack. What goes where? I've come across and heard several different answers. And the online version of the World Standardized Rules put out by the BCA is silent on it. Anyone know for certain and can provide a link to the source?

Thanks,
Ron F

Hi Ron,

The rules for straight pool are here. Those rules have a diagram of what to do, but the real rules are this text below. I think part (d) covers your case.

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.

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[Ron F]

Thanks!

Thank you so much, Bob!