How To Rack For 8 And 9 Ball

A rack is the name given to a frame (usually wood or plastic) used to organize the balls at the beginning of a game. The most common shape of a physical rack is that of a triangle, with the ball pattern of 5-4-3-2-1. Racks are sometimes called simply "triangles" (most often by amateur shooters) based on the predominance of this form. Triangular-shaped racks are used for eight-ball, straight pool, one-pocket, bank pool, snooker and many other games. Although diamond-shaped racks, with an intended pattern of 1-2-3-2-1, are made for the game of nine-ball, the triangular rack is more often employed in nine ball as well.
There is often argument over whether there is a proper way to rack the balls for an 8-ball game. While there is no particular method for the balls to be placed aside from the eight (for an 8-ball game) and nine ball (for nine-ball game), it's best to follow these simple methods.

When racking for an 8-ball game, set the rack on the table and place the one ball in the top corner. Place two balls beneath the one ball. In eight-ball, fifteen object balls are used. Standardized rules state that:

* The 8 ball must be in the center of the rack (the second ball in the three balls wide row).

* The first ball (traditionally but not mandatorily the 1 ball) must be placed at the apex position (front of the rack and so the center of that ball is directly over the table's foot spot).

* The two corner balls must be a stripe and a solid. In theory, this pattern allows for a more equal chance of sinking both a solid and a stripe because the two corner balls are the most likely balls to be pocketed on the break.

* All balls other than the 8 ball are placed at random, but in conformance with the preceding corner ball rule.

* The balls should be pressed tightly together without gaps, as this allows the best break possible.

In amateur eight-ball play a racking variant that is often followed is:

* The outer edges of the triangle must be in the pattern of solid, stripe, solid, stripe, etc. (resulting in the two corner balls being either both stripes or both solids).

* Sometimes, the balls must be placed in numeric order from the top of the triangle down and from left to right, i.e., the 1 on the foot spot, followed by the 2 then 3 in the second row, and so on. This always results in the corner balls of the rack being both stripes (the 11 and 15, respectively).

The game of nine-ball has a totally different system of racking since you are only playing with nine balls. While you may use the same rack that you do in eight-ball, they do sell special racks for nine-ball. The balls are racked in the shape of a diamond. Be sure to place the one ball at the upper point and the nine in the middle. Some players (most often amateurs) place the balls in numeric order but for the 9 ball; from the top of the triangle down and from left to right, i.e., the 1 on the foot spot, followed by the 2 then 3 in the second row, and so on. However, all balls other than the 1 and 9 may be randomly placed.

Regardless of what variation of the game you are racking for, it is always best to make sure it is a "tight rack". This refers to the spacing between the balls. Ideally, you would want the least amount of space. Now, be sure to roll the rack so that the 1 ball is exactly in the middle of the pool table "dot" on the billiard (pool) table. Use all eight of your fingers--not your thumbs--and push on the back roll of balls, forcing them tight in the 8-ball rack and making sure that the 1 ball is placed in the middle of the pool table "dot." This is very important, since it is difficult for your opponent to make a ball on the break if he's shooting at a "tight rack."