Recommended Simple Rules for Using Template Racks?

[ChrisinNC]

For our weekly 9-ball handicapped tournaments as well as our bigger monthly 9-ball handicapped tournaments, we're making the switch to using template racks instead of our Diamond racks we've been using. The 2 main reasons are: To hopefully get better break spreads to speed up the games and hopefully to speed up the tournaments for everyone, and to eliminate "flying" 9-balls on the break that may end up near a pocket, drastically changing the game. We do currently play breaker racks their own balls, and we play 9-balls made on the break get spotted and the breaker gets ball-in-hand unless they've scratched on the break. We plan to continue instituting those two rules.

The other rules we're considering instituting using either the magic or turtle templates to hopefully cut down on pattern racking and the better players potentially running multiple racks, but to keep them as simple as possible are as follows: Players must break from a break box designated as between the first and 3rd end rail diamonds, and the 2-ball must be racked in either of the 2 spots just in front of or just behind the 9-ball, but not in the back or on either point. I don't really want to institute racking the 9-ball on the spot, although I know that is another rule change that some use to make it harder to pocket the wing balls on the break.

My reasoning for the break box is that I think it will hopefully make it a little harder to be guaranteed making a wing ball. Secondly, by not allowing the 2-ball to racked in the back or on the wings, it lessens the chance of the 2-ball being made on the break as well as lessening the chance the 2-ball will end up near the head end of the table where the 1-ball will likely end if it is not pocketed in the side.

Do these rules sound like they make sense, or is another fairly simple rule we could add concerning the break that would eliminate the potential for pattern racking, for those that are knowledgeable in how using template racks can cause issues?

 

[hang-the-9]

How good are the players there? As playing Cs? Is 10 ball an option or 8 ball? Call 9 rule an option? 9 footers? With magic rack can do opponent racks, will prevent pattern racking for easy run outs.

For our weekly 9-ball handicapped tournaments as well as our bigger monthly 9-ball handicapped tournaments, we're making the switch to using template racks instead of our Diamond racks we've been using. The 2 main reasons are: To hopefully get better break spreads to speed up the games and hopefully the tournaments for everyone, and to eliminate "flying" 9-balls on the break that may end up near a pocket, drastically changing the game. We do currently play breaker racks their own balls, and we play 9-balls made on the break get spotted and the breaker gets ball-in-hand unless they've scratched on the break. We plan to continue instituting those two rules.

The other rules we're considering instituting using either the magic or turtle templates to hopefully cut down on pattern racking and the better players potentially running multiple racks, but to keep them as simple as possible are as follows: Players must break from a break box designated as between the first and 3rd end rail diamonds, and the 2-ball must be racked in either of the 2 spots just in front of or just behind the 9-ball, but not in the back or on either point. I don't really want to institute racking the 9-ball on the spot, although I know that is another rule change that some use to make it harder to pocket the wing balls on the break.

My reasoning for the break box is that I think it will hopefully make it a little harder to be guaranteed making a wing ball. Secondly, by not allowing the 2-ball to racked in the back or on the wings, it lessens the chance of the 2-ball being made on the break as well as lessening the chance the 2-ball will end up near the head end of the table where the 1-ball will likely end if it is not pocketed in the side.

Do these rules sound like they make sense, or is another fairly simple rule we could add concerning the break that would eliminate the potential for pattern racking, for those that are knowledgeable in how using template racks can causejk issues?

 

[ChrisinNC]

How good are the players there? As playing Cs? Is 10 ball an option or 8 ball? Call 9 rule an option? 9 footers? With magic rack can do opponent racks, will prevent pattern racking for easy run outs.

We generally are made up of B, C, and D ranked players. Occasional "A" players, but not many. 10-ball would solve some breaking issues, but would take even longer to complete the tournament so is out of the question. Opponent racking is a good suggestion to combat pattern racking, but you'll have to assume the opponent's will rack a tight rack, which of course the breaker will have the option to inspect before breaking. Is there an issue with what might be considered as "defensive pattern racking" when an opponent intentionally racks the balls in such an order that makes it abnormally hard for an opponent to run a rack? If so, what would that entail specifically?

 

[BRussell]

Honestly for those kinds of players I don't even think you need to worry about the 2 or the break box. Let them figure out the patterns and run out if they can. As long as they're not playing races to 3 or something it will be fine. And having an incentive to learn something about pattern racking is good, even if it's just to know when others are doing it to you.

 

[iusedtoberich]

Agree. Let the players rack any way they want. Even let pattern racks. They won't be running out anyway, so it doesn't matter.

 

[garczar]

For our weekly 9-ball handicapped tournaments as well as our bigger monthly 9-ball handicapped tournaments, we're making the switch to using template racks instead of our Diamond racks we've been using. The 2 main reasons are: To hopefully get better break spreads to speed up the games and hopefully to speed up the tournaments for everyone, and to eliminate "flying" 9-balls on the break that may end up near a pocket, drastically changing the game. We do currently play breaker racks their own balls, and we play 9-balls made on the break get spotted and the breaker gets ball-in-hand unless they've scratched on the break. We plan to continue instituting those two rules.

The other rules we're considering instituting using either the magic or turtle templates to hopefully cut down on pattern racking and the better players potentially running multiple racks, but to keep them as simple as possible are as follows: Players must break from a break box designated as between the first and 3rd end rail diamonds, and the 2-ball must be racked in either of the 2 spots just in front of or just behind the 9-ball, but not in the back or on either point. I don't really want to institute racking the 9-ball on the spot, although I know that is another rule change that some use to make it harder to pocket the wing balls on the break.

My reasoning for the break box is that I think it will hopefully make it a little harder to be guaranteed making a wing ball. Secondly, by not allowing the 2-ball to racked in the back or on the wings, it lessens the chance of the 2-ball being made on the break as well as lessening the chance the 2-ball will end up near the head end of the table where the 1-ball will likely end if it is not pocketed in the side.

Do these rules sound like they make sense, or is another fairly simple rule we could add concerning the break that would eliminate the potential for pattern racking, for those that are knowledgeable in how using template racks can cause issues?

No pattern racking, no touching once set, no re-rack. Toss em' up there and smack 'em.

 

[AtLarge]

For our weekly 9-ball handicapped tournaments as well as our bigger monthly 9-ball handicapped tournaments, we're making the switch to using template racks instead of our Diamond racks we've been using. The 2 main reasons are: To hopefully get better break spreads to speed up the games and hopefully to speed up the tournaments for everyone, and to eliminate "flying" 9-balls on the break that may end up near a pocket, drastically changing the game. ...

You may not save time by switching to templates. I've been keeping track of average game times in the streamed matches of some pro events for several years.

With Triangles. For the past 9 Turning Stone events and the past 4 DCC 9-Ball events, the average minutes per game have ranged from 4.6 to 5.8, with the overall average in the low 5's.

With Templates. For the past 3 US Open 9-Ball events and the 2014-2016 World 9-Ball events, the average minutes per game have ranged from 5.8 to 6.8, with the overall average in the low 6's.

I have no such data for lower-level players.

[Caveat -- The events had differences other than the type of rack.]

 

[hang-the-9]

We generally are made up of B, C, and D ranked players. Occasional "A" players, but not many. 10-ball would solve some breaking issues, but would take even longer to complete the tournament so is out of the question. Opponent racking is a good suggestion to combat pattern racking, but you'll have to assume the opponent's will rack a tight rack, which of course the breaker will have the option to inspect before breaking. Is there an issue with what might be considered as "defensive pattern racking" when an opponent intentionally racks the balls in such an order that makes it abnormally hard for an opponent to run a rack? If so, what would that entail specifically?

I doubt racking will be much of an issue with B C and D players, a C player I would let rack how the hell they want as long as they don't rack the 9 loose to make it on the break or leave in the corner.