This whole thread needs 30 mg of Adderall!!
Pattern Racking
- Thread starter Paul Schofield
- Start date
This whole thread needs 30 mg of Adderall!!
The order of the balls in a 9-ball rack can certainly make run-outs easier or more difficult. FYI, some of the reasons are described and demonstrated here:
Regards,
Dave
Regardless of whether or not it works just watch a few matches with SVB and see how much time is wasted racking. People forget, this method is really to be used at tournaments and the like to stop people from arguing with each other and wasting time. And to others, of course your average Joe isn't going to do this with his buddies at the pool hall because there isn't high stakes. But it has its merits at tournaments for sure.
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Okay - okay
I will tell you how I rack and you tell me if it is fair or not:
9 ball
--1--
-3-2-
-897
-5-4-
--6--
I rack that way because it is pretty much ascending, except for the 7 and 8, and because I just like it that way.
8 ball (stay with me because this get involved)
I like most of the stripes ascending, solids I don't care.
9 ball in front, because it is lucky.
13 on last row middle, because it is unlucky.
14 on 4th row second ball from the left, because I just don't like it.
10 ball 3rd row left most ball.
11 ball 5th row left most ball.
12 ball 3rd row right most ball.
15 ball 4th row right most ball.
And that is my so-called pattern for 8 ball.
I think of my racks as a 'preference', and not a pattern.
I will tell you how I rack and you tell me if it is fair or not:
9 ball
--1--
-3-2-
-897
-5-4-
--6--
I rack that way because it is pretty much ascending, except for the 7 and 8, and because I just like it that way.
8 ball (stay with me because this get involved)
I like most of the stripes ascending, solids I don't care.
9 ball in front, because it is lucky.
13 on last row middle, because it is unlucky.
14 on 4th row second ball from the left, because I just don't like it.
10 ball 3rd row left most ball.
11 ball 5th row left most ball.
12 ball 3rd row right most ball.
15 ball 4th row right most ball.
And that is my so-called pattern for 8 ball.
I think of my racks as a 'preference', and not a pattern.
After reading this post and a previous post by Snapshot9, my guess would be that the opposition to a random racking process is from players who pattern rack.
how do you spin the magic rack? 
If there is going to be a "random rack" then something extra must be done to insure a "random rack", otherwise there will be pattern racking. Does anyone know of way to guarantee a random rack?
To be honest ? Here's my honest thought.
The rack should not EVER be random. Not in any game that the specific order of the balls matter. If your playing a rotation game , there should ALWAYS be an established order to the rack. How it ever got to be that way makes no sense at all.
Period.
IMO.
The rack should not EVER be random. Not in any game that the specific order of the balls matter. If your playing a rotation game , there should ALWAYS be an established order to the rack. How it ever got to be that way makes no sense at all.
Period.
IMO.
What Donny you dont like this idea? LOL It would certainly change things.
The rack should not EVER be random. Not in any game that the specific order of the balls matter. If your playing a rotation game , there should ALWAYS be an established order to the rack. How it ever got to be that way makes no sense at all.
Period.
IMO.
OK. I see your point. Unfortunately, this is not the current reality. The reality is that there is to be no pattern racking and there is no prescribed process for guaranteeing a random rack. The result is confussion, accusations of cheating, and more conflict. I have played thousands of racks with the described process. I like it because it is so simple and easy. I also like the fact that I can't get pattern racked and when I rack, my integrety is never questioned. If the 2-ball winds up behind the 9-ball on the hill-hill game, oh well, I won't be second guessed.
Correct , yet is this not exactly what you are intending to change ?
Look , Let's just say for the sake of discussion , your rack method is anymore random than any other method. Unless you have it made an officially accepted rule change , this entire discussion/thread/debate/ whatever is an absolute complete waste of time.
The honest people out there now are currently NOT pattern racking with any intent to cheat (as you say) and the those that ARE cannot be forced to stop what thier current practice and use yours or any other "method".
Therefore , there is no point , so what else you got ?
Slow and steady change my friend.... If he gets his ideas to catch on at other tournaments, and I think he can... then you'll see it more mainstream, and you'll see less arguments, which I think we all can agree would do this sport a heck of a world of good.
cliff notes: he IS talking about changing the rules...
cliff notes: he IS talking about changing the rules...
this entire discussion/thread/debate/ whatever is an absolute complete waste of time.
Therefore , there is no point , so what else you got ?
I do have a purpose in starting this thread. I assure you, it is not to start a debate and beat down another person's opinion. This thread is primarily directed at tournament directors and players who are outraged and disgusted at the ongoing rack manipulation. You don't have to put up with it. There is something you can do. I have instituted the process in my tournaments and require it of my opponent when I play. It works.
It is something that can be used when it is deemed necessary.
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Ok I am a Tournament director and not everywhere is it against the rules to pattern rack. This practice has been going on for those with severe OCB for a million years.
once in a great while it works on some tables. Rarely does it even show up. The debate over the1, the 9 and the 2 bal have been going on forever and ever.
i am much more concerned over the ones who won't pull the dam trigger. It seems most are worried about everything under the sun except playing pool.
Many times the pace of a rack can be set at the front end of the game. If the racking gets all bogged down by manipulation and other such nonsense, play can proceed at a snail's pace. Even standing over a rack for as little as an extra 10 or 15 seconds can be enough ruin things. Using the "No Conflict Rules", my tournaments fly. There is nothing in racking and breaking that slows the game down. Even the slow players pick up the tempo. Good luck with your events.
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Did someone in this thread ask donny mills if he pattern racks?
No s**t if you dont think patter rackin works go play Donny some rack ur own.
It is real simple. you can let there be pattern racking. Just let the opponent( non breaker) pic the pattern. Breaker still racks but opponent gets to pick order of balls
Wow, I never knew there could be such debate over this. I pattern rack every single 9ball rack I do, but not to gain an advantage. I simply have a pattern that I think provides an 'even' layout.
Here it is:
1
84
296
73
5
I call it my '4 points' rack. Get it? 8-4=4, 7-3=4, 6-2=4, and (apex & anchor balls) 5-1=4.
Also, with the exception of the 9, which has to be in the middle, no ball is touching another ball numbered before or after it...
It's a compulsion that would require meds for me to break so I hope no one ever complains about it...
Here it is:
1
84
296
73
5
I call it my '4 points' rack. Get it? 8-4=4, 7-3=4, 6-2=4, and (apex & anchor balls) 5-1=4.
Also, with the exception of the 9, which has to be in the middle, no ball is touching another ball numbered before or after it...
It's a compulsion that would require meds for me to break so I hope no one ever complains about it...
Just for the record for anyone that doesn't know- For someone who plays my speed pattern racking or not pattern racking really doesn't make much difference on how many racks I would run in a row. If 9 balls are out in the open it makes no difference what order out in the open they are. Well it might help out like 1 or 2 % but that's it.