All posts by tedadmin

Bar chart of straight pool 14.1 world record high runs: Mosconi 526 in 1954, Schmidt 626 in 2019, Shaw 669 in 2022 and Shaw 832 in 2025

Straight Pool Record History: From 526 to 832

Leave a comment

Quick answer: The straight pool high run record went from 526 (Willie Mosconi, 1954) to 626 (John Schmidt, 2019) to 669 (Jayson Shaw, 2022) to 832 (Jayson Shaw, 2025). 832 is the record today.

Bar chart of straight pool 14.1 world record high runs: Mosconi 526 in 1954, Schmidt 626 in 2019, Shaw 669 in 2022 and Shaw 832 in 2025
The straight pool record went from 526 to 626 to 669 to 832. Jayson Shaw holds it now with 832 balls. Graphic: Ted Mauro

Watch the video

Watch the straight pool record video on YouTube

What You Will Learn

  • Each record run, in order
  • Where each one happened
  • Which run was changed after review
  • What may come next

1954: Mosconi, 526

Willie Mosconi ran 526 on March 19, 1954, at the East High Billiard Club in Springfield, Ohio. It was during an exhibition match. That record held for 65 years.

Willie Mosconi, holder of the 526 ball straight pool high run, shooting at the pool table in about 1958
Willie Mosconi at the table in about 1958. He ran 526 balls in 1954, and that record lasted 65 years. Photographer unknown. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

2019: Schmidt, 626

John Schmidt ran 626 on May 27, 2019, at Easy Street Billiards in Monterey, California. The BCA certified it on August 15, 2019.

John Schmidt, the pool player who broke the Mosconi record with a 626 ball straight pool high run in 2019
John Schmidt in 2004. In 2019 he ran 626 balls and broke the Mosconi record. Photo: RailbirdJAM, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2022: Shaw, 669

Jayson Shaw ran 714 on January 18, 2022. A BCA review found a foul on ball 45, so the run was certified as 669.

2025: Shaw, 832

Shaw ran 832 on January 6, 2025, at BAK Room Billiards Studio in Lorton, Virginia. The BCA confirmed it as the new record.

2026: Schmidt, 820 (Unofficial)

On March 10, 2026, Schmidt ran 820 in a private session in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Billiards Digest says he fouled earlier in that run, so it does not count as a record.

Shaw has said, “My goal is 1000.” No one has done it as of October 2026. For quotes, videos, and more detail, see this longer look at the 14.1 high run record. To learn the game yourself, try these billiards lessons videos.

The Bottom Line

The record took 65 years to fall the first time. Then it fell three times in about six years. Schmidt is still close behind, and Shaw wants 1,000. The next big number could come any day. If you love the history of this game, this is a great time to watch.

FAQ

How many times has the record been broken since 1954?
Three times: 626, 669, and 832.

Is Schmidt’s 820 the record?
No. It is unofficial because of an earlier foul.

Who keeps the record?
The BCA certifies it.

Why did Mosconi’s record last so long?
No one beat 526 until Schmidt ran 626 on May 27, 2019, 65 years later.

Get My Free 7 Part Fundamental Billiards Course

Sources

About the Author

I am Ted Mauro. I have played pool for over 50 years and played organized league and tournament pool for over 38 years.

Billiard Terms and Definitions: 25 Words Every Player Should Know

TLDR: Pool has its own words. Knowing them helps you follow lessons, talk with other players, and understand the rules. Here are 25 common billiard terms and definitions, in plain English.

Striped object ball on green cloth, one of the billiard terms and definitions
“DSCF0418 A close-up of a striped billiard ball resting on the green felt of a pool table with blurred bar lights and cues in the background.jpg” by PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What you will learn:

  • 25 common pool words
  • What each one means
  • How they are used at the table

I have played pool for more than 50 years and in leagues and tournaments for more than 38 years. When I was new, people used words I did not know. I nodded and pretended. You do not have to. Here is a simple list.

Table Words

  1. Rail. The cushioned edge around the table.
  2. Diamonds. The small marks on the rails. They help with aiming and banks.
  3. Head string. An imaginary line near the head end. You break from behind it.
  4. Foot spot. The spot near the foot end where the front ball of the rack sits.
  5. Pocket. One of the six holes. Four corners and two sides.

Ball Words

  1. Cue ball. The white ball. You hit it with the cue.
  2. Object ball. Any ball you try to make.
  3. Solids and stripes. In 8 ball, balls 1 to 7 are solids and 9 to 15 are stripes.
  4. Rack. The triangle (or diamond) that holds the balls. Also the set of balls once racked.

Shot Words

  1. Break. The first shot of a game that spreads the balls.
  2. Bank shot. The object ball hits a rail before it goes in.
  3. Kick shot. The cue ball hits a rail before it hits the object ball.
  4. Combination (combo). The cue ball hits one ball into another, which goes in.
  5. Carom. A ball glances off another ball.
  6. Cut shot. A shot where you hit the object ball at an angle.
  7. Safety. A defensive shot. You try to leave your opponent with no good shot.

Cue Ball Control Words

  1. Follow. Hitting above center. The cue ball rolls forward after contact.
  2. Draw. Hitting below center. The cue ball comes back toward you.
  3. Stop shot. The cue ball stops where it hits the object ball.
  4. English. Side spin, from hitting the cue ball left or right of center.
  5. Position. Where the cue ball ends up for your next shot.

Rule Words

  1. Scratch. The cue ball goes in a pocket. It is a foul.
  2. Foul. Breaking a rule. Your turn ends, and there is a penalty.
  3. Ball in hand. After a foul, the other player can place the cue ball where they want.
  4. Run out. Making all the balls you need in one turn to win.

How to Learn These Words

Do not try to learn them all at once. Pick five. Use them when you play. When you watch a lesson, listen for them. Soon they will feel natural.

A Few Fun Slang Words

Players also use slang. “Sandbagger” is someone who plays worse on purpose to look weak. “Hanger” is a ball sitting right at the edge of a pocket. You will hear these at any pool hall.

Learn More

My Pool School uses these words in its lessons. My YouTube channel shows many of these shots.

FAQ

What is the difference between a bank and a kick?
In a bank, the object ball hits the rail. In a kick, the cue ball hits the rail first.

What does “english” mean in pool?
It means side spin on the cue ball.

What is a scratch?
When the cue ball goes in a pocket. It is a foul.

What is a safety?
A defensive shot meant to leave your opponent a hard shot.

Summary

These billiard terms and definitions will help you follow lessons and talk pool with anyone. Start with a few, use them at the table, and add more over time.

About the Author

I am Ted Mauro. I have played pool for more than 50 years and in leagues and tournaments for more than 38 years.

Silver Cue Billiards early matches – Mike R. Shew battle & 29 March 2009


VIDEO SHARING CLUB 8 ball tournament 3:30 on sundays $ 5 entry calcutta more www. 8ballsecrets. com www. Freewebs. Internetpoolhall com-EYE OF THE MASTER-stroke Developer / control Internetpoolhall-EYE OF THE MASTER on Youtube! EYE OF THE MASTER! POOL GODS! www. Freewebs. Paid video sharing club com www. youtube. com come enjoy the boyz and gals from across the globe sharing the love of the green and the blue run outs. . . internetpoolhall is for billiards lovers Both beginners and the pros. . come share your game and gain Some knowledge from masters of the game. www. youtube. com

How to Play Pool: How to Play Pool with an Open Bridge


The open bridge Is The MOST basic way to hold the cue to take a shot in pool. Get tips and advice on how to shoot with open bridge in pool year in this free billiards video lesson. Expert: Mike Lopez Bio: Mike Lopez Is A very passionate gamer. He loves playing everything from video games to board games. He HAS competed in Many gaming tournaments, from chess to Magic the Gathering. Filmmaker: josiah owen