Forty-One Pocket Billiards


Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules,
the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.


Type of Game

Forty-One Pocket Billiards is another game that is well-suited for social play at parties or other gatherings where players of mixed abilities will take part. Since no one knows what number "pea" is held by his opponent(s), it is difficult to play defensively. In addition, the rules are designed to greatly equalize all the players' chances. An unusual and interesting game.
Players

2 to 15 (though 3, 4, or 5 are generally preferred).
Balls Used

Standard set of object balls 1-15 plus cue ball. A set of fifteen numbered peas (or "pills") and a shake bottle are also used.
The Rack

Standard triangle rack with balls placed entirely at random.
Determining Private Numbers

After the balls are racked but before play begins, each player is given a pea from the shake bottle containing the peas numbered 1-15. The number of the pea is the player's private number and is kept secret.
Object of the Game

To score points which, when added to the player's private number, total exactly forty-one.
Scoring

Each leaglly pocketed ball has a point value equal to its number.
Opening Break

Starting player must make an open break. He is not obligated to pocket a ball on the break shot; but if he fails to make a legal open break, it is a foul.
Rules of Play

1. Any ball(s) scored on a legal stroke count for the shooter. Players may shoot any ball and need not call ball, pocket or mode of shot.
2. A player is permitted only one shot or turn per inning, regardless of whether or not he scores.
3. An illegally pocketed ballis a foul, and does not score for the shooter.
4. On all shots, player must cause the cue ball to contact an object ball and then either (1) pocket an object ball, or (2) cause an object ball or the cue ball to contact a cushion. Failure to do so is a foul.
5. When a player has the cue ball in hand behind the head string (as after a scratch) and all object balls are also behind the head string, the object ball nearest the head string may be spotted on the foot spot at his request. If two or more balls are an equal distance from the head string, the player may designate which of the equidistant balls he desires to be spotted.
6. When player has a total count of forty-one, he must announce his victory and present his pea for confirmation before the next player shoots. If he fails to declare his forty-one total until the next player has shot, he must wait until his next turn to so declare. If, in the meantime, another player succeeds in attaining a legal total count of forty-one and properly declares, the latter player wins the game.
7. If a player totals more than forty-one points, he has "burst" and must so declare immediately (before the next player shoots). All balls the burst player had pocketed are spotted, and the burst player may request a new pea prior to his next turn if he so desires. Any player who bursts and does not declare it prior to the following player's shot is disqualified from further play in the game; if a two-player game, his opponent is automatically the winner.
8. If all balls are pocketed prior to any player attaining a total count of forty-one, the player whose count is closest to forty-one wins the game. If two or more players are tied for nearest to forty-one in this situation, the game is a tie.
Illegally Pocketed Balls

All spotted; no penalty.
Object Balls Jumped off the Table

All spotted. The stroke is a foul, and the penalty for fouls is followed.
Cue Ball After Jumping off the Table or Scratch

Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string.
Penalty for Fouls

The player committing a foul must spot one of his previously scored object balls for each foul committed. If a player has no previously pocketed balls to his credit when he commits a foul, he is exempt from a penalty for that particular foul.