I could see this being a good solution for someone wanting/needing to practice playing with a shot clock.

Lowell said:

Carlo Biado broke and ran 8 times in a row! If the format were any more offense heavy, it would be even less interesting IMO.

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I haven't watched all of the matches, but that seems to be exceptional- most players seem to be struggling on the break. Even Shane was struggling to make a ball.

It depends on the set. Aramith ballsets Premium and above in the lineup come sealed when ordered direct from Saluc in Belgium. Continental, Crown, and Premier do not.

westcoast said:

why don't they use racking templates? Seems like most players are having trouble making balls on the break- is that what they want? It would also save time as it takes the refs quite a while to rack the balls

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The randomness of the break is intentional. At first Predator was just hawking and selling its product. Then Predator realized the rack made breaking a way to keep 8-ball more competitive.

The randomness of the break, of course, means it is easier for top players such as Filler and SVB to get knocked out early. So this 8-ball tourney requires a lot of luck.

Lowell said:

Carlo Biado broke and ran 8 times in a row! If the format were any more offense heavy, it would be even less interesting IMO.

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OMG one player ran 8 racks, quick change the game because everybody is running out the set

RunEmOut08 said:

Talked to a few people…. Let’s get a deal done

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It is a real beaut, for sure

Giving me a chub!!!

Xdecemberguy said:

Now if we could only do something about opponents soft racking during league play..

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The only solutions to this that I can think of are both ridiculous and brilliant.

1. A triangular template that is suspended by strings from the ceiling on top of the balls instead of under the balls. The gravity provides constant inward pressure and forces the rack tight. Not too heavy though. When a break shot occurs the strings are pulled up and the rack quickly rises back to the ceiling. Like a boxing match microphone.

2. 15 holes are drilled into the slate of the table in locations that are strategic to cause the balls to roll towards each other, exactly like a magic rack. The cloth is then placed over the holes. Rods are inserted into the holes from the bottom of the slate and attached to an actuator. When the actuator is engaged, the rods move upwards until flush with the top of the slate, causing the dimples underneath the cloth to disappear.

In both ideas, the template doesn't interfere with the rolling balls, but forces a tight rack.

westcoast said:

why don't they use racking templates? Seems like most players are having trouble making balls on the break- is that what they want? It would also save time as it takes the refs quite a while to rack the balls

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Carlo Biado broke and ran 8 times in a row! If the format were any more offense heavy, it would be even less interesting IMO.

Forgive me if most already know this, but Dekorit is / was a type of plastic.

loggerhead12 said:

I don't trust any table without pockets.

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I can put pins in the corners and make the "pockets" as loose or as tight as I want The ball just never disappears.

One ball one pocket is fun on a carom table with pins in two corners.

InsertCleverNameHere said:

Pretty sweet idea. Like someone else mentioned, what if I hit a stop shot 3 railer? That would be an issue. What about breaking 8 ball or 10 ball and you stop the cueball dead but the other balls take a good while to come to a stop. And how bout between games when the cueball is just sitting there while the balls are being racked? Idk the answers but just stuff that comes to mind. Anyway, really cool implementation/concept!

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Yes this is indeed a limitation. More so in pool, less so in carom. I am thinking that maybe having an automatic shot clock / ref makes up for this flaw.

Hard Knock Cues said:

I could not resist adding these to my collection.
Unused and perfect box.
View attachment 895904View attachment 895905

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Beautiful carom set, sir.

Congratulations!