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.

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.

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.

Because the actual locations of the Head Spot and Foot Spot are somewhat counter-intuitive, please carefully observe this diagram to note that they are opposite what is often presumed by these terms