Rotation, sometimes called rotation pool or 61, is a pocket billiards game, requiring a standard pool table, and triangular rack of fifteen pool balls, in which the lowest-numbered on the table must be always struck by the cue ball first, to attempt to numbered balls for. Rotation is somewhat similar to nine-ball, but its scoring system is based on points, similar to that of straight pool. However, unlike straight pool, rotation is not a call-pocket game. As with nine-ball and other similar-format games, some attractions of rotation include performing unconventional or difficult shots to reach the correct ball, and quite often making risky attempts to score higher numbers of points by performing advanced shots such as , and. Rotation is a sport in the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games.
Rules
Object
The object of the game is to score the most points, by pocketing higher-scoring balls than the opponent. A is won when a player or team reaches a number of points that makes it impossible for the opponent to win. A may consist of multiple frames, or in multiple of multiple frames, as in other types of pool.
Scoring
Points are scored by pocketing the object balls on the table; the number of points awarded is equal to the number printed on the ball pocketed; for example, pocketing the 4 ball scores the player 4 points. In a two-player or -team game, the frame is over when a player or team has 61 or more points, although frames tied at 60 points can occur. More than two players or teams can play, with the winning score being recalculated. For example, the 61-point mark is determined by taking the sum of the values of all fifteen balls, 120, divided by number of players, 2, to yield 60, then adding 1 to ensure a definite winner.
Set up
At the beginning of each frame, the balls are in a triangle as in eight-ball and other games using fifteen object balls, but in particular with the 1 ball at the front of the rack, on the, the 2 ball on the right rear corner and the 3 ball at the left rear corner, and the 15 ball - the one with the highest value - in the center; all other balls are placed randomly, and all balls must be touching. In informal British play, it is common to push the rack forward farther so that the 15 ball, still in the center of the rack, is resting on the foot spot.
Game play
The primary rule of the game is that the lowest numbered object ball on the table at any time is the "" and must be struck first, regardless of the player's intentions of which ball to actually pocket. Players may use the lowest numbered ball to pocket other balls. Consequently, this not being a game, points are also counted if a ball is unintentionally but legally pocketed. A player's turn at the table continues until a shot fails to legally pocket a ball, a foul is committed, or the frame concludes. Illegally pocketed balls are spotted.
Safeties
play is rather strictly limited in rotation. If a player legally pockets a ball, that player must shoot again; unlike in many games, there is no provision for a called, intentional safety play that pockets a ball. Safeties that consist of simply using the cue ball to drive the ball-on to the closest, without contacting another object ball in the course of the shot, are limited to only two such shots per player per frame. Other safeties are unlimited, provided that the lowest numbered ball is of course struck first and either at least two object balls move in the course of the shot, or the ball-on is driven to a cushion that is not the closest to it.
Fouls
If a is committed, the incoming opponent may either take the next shot or require the opponent to do so, with all balls as they lie in either case. If the exiting opponent's foul was the cue ball into a pocket or off the table, the incoming player's shot is necessarily ball-in-hand, and must be taken from behind the , although the incoming player may optionally require the fouling opponent to shoot again instead, with ball-in-hand behind the headstring. Shots taken from behind the head string must cause the cue ball to cross the head string; however, if the ball-on is behind the head string, the player with ball in hand may optionally have that ball spotted on the foot spot before shooting. There is no point penalty for fouls. Three consecutive fouls by the same player is a loss of frame. ;Fouls include:
Failure to hit the lowest-numbered object ball first
Failure to make an on the break shot
Scratching the cue ball into a pocket or off the table
Failure to either legally pocket an object ball, or drive any ball to a
Knocking an object ball off the table
A third or subsequent one ball safety to the closest cushion
Team play
Two-player teams compete by alternating teams and alternating players within each team. For example, if teams consist of players 1 and 2 versus players 3 and 4, and player 1 breaks, turns alternate in the pattern 1, 3, 2, 4, 1, 3, 2, 4, etc. I.e., the ending of a player's turn at the table ends that team's turn at the table. As in individual competition, a player's turn at the table does not end until a foul is committed or the player fails to legally pocket an object ball. Three consecutive fouls by a team player disqualifies that player for the remainder of the frame Balls that were legally pocketed by the disqualified player are not spotted. Informally, team play can also be conducted in format. However, the disqualification rule does not apply, and three consecutive fouls by the team are a loss of frame.
Variations
Due to having to always hit the lowest ball or a specifically numbered ball, forms of rotation are often used to develop particular skills while shooting pool.
Simple rotation
The variation called simple rotation does not count the value of the balls for a score but requires ascending numerical order in which the balls must be struck. The purpose of the game is to have pocketed the most balls, while still having to always hit the lowest ball on the table. The frame ends when one player has pocketed eight or more balls.
Eight-ball rotation
A combination of eight-ball and rotation, eight-ball rotation or rotation eight-ball requires that each , versus, must be pocketed in their numerical order, aside from the , which is the. Eight-ball rotation is racked with the 8 ball in the center, not the 15, and the game does not count the numerical value of the balls for a score; the frame can only be won by legally pocketing the 8. This variation is appropriate for team as well as individual competition, and also used as a mutual practice game for both eight-ball and nine-ball or ten-ball.
Specific or strict rotation
In specific rotation or strict rotation, the ball's numbered value is counted for a score, but the order of balls pocketed must be sequential. If the lowest ball on the table is struck but a higher ball ends up being pocketed - such as in a combination shot - then that higher ball must be back on the table after the shot ; this is not a foul. If the lowest-numbered ball is hit first but not pocketed, and another ball is spotted this ends the shooters turn. If the lowest-numbered ball is hit first and is pocketed along with another ball, that other ball is spotted immediately, and the shooter's turn continues The restrictiveness of this game makes it in some senses similar to one-pocket and bank pool, and it is more difficult in this respect than regular rotation, though potentially less challenging in other ways, e.g. by essentially forbidding combination shots and .
The major amateur and professional competitive games nine-ball and ten-ball are essentially variations of rotation, with a smaller ball set and without the point-based scoring.
In the Philippines
In the Philippines, rotation pool is popular, especially among advanced players, although eight-ball, nine-ball and, increasingly, ten-ball, are widely played.
In tournament play
Due to the popularity of other pool games, rotation is hardly seen as a game for competition in some countries. However, this form of pool is a norm in the cue sport events of the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games.
