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In straight pool’s first rack, fifteen object balls are
placed in a triangle, with the center of the apex
ball placed over the foot spot. Traditionally the
1-ball is placed at the rack’s right corner and the
5-ball placed at the rack’s left corner. Other balls
are placed at random.

By FoxLad at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48104508

A rack with an object ball to the left of the rest
An object ball is to the left of the racked balls.
A typical layout for the intragame rack.

Unlike most pool games, the object of straight
pool’s standard initial break shot is to leave the In straight pool, skilled players can pocket all of
opponent without the chance to pot a ball. This the balls in a single rack, and continue to do so for
is known as a safety. All shots in straight pool large runs. On March 19, 1954, Willie Mosconi
require nomination, with every shot requiring both set a record high run of 526 points, over 36 racks.
the ball and pocket being called before the shot is Mosconi’s record for the highest documented
taken. This rule also includes the break shot. Shots run stood for over 65 years. It was finally beaten
such as caroms and combinations do not have on May 27,
to be called. On the break, either a ball must 2019, when John
be pocketed in a designated pocket or the cue Schmidt ran 626
ball and at least two additional balls must balls in Monterey,
touch a rail. The failure to accomplish either California. It was
of these options results in a foul. Fouling the result of a
on the initial break results in a penalty loss sustained, months-
of two points. In addition, the opponent has long effort to
the choice of either accepting the table in break Mosconi’s
position, or having the balls re-racked and record.
requiring the offending player to repeat the
opening break.

All other fouls during the game result in
a one-point deduction. However, a third
consecutive foul at any time results in a loss
of 15 points.

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