HOW TO RACK Pool Balls as Tightly as Possible

dr_dave

Instructional Author
Gold Member
Silver Member
FYI, I just posted a new video that discusses and demonstrates many techniques that can help you rack the balls as tightly as possible to improve your break effectiveness and consistency. Check it out:


Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:12 - VENT Excerpt on Racking
---- 0:26 - remove the top ball
---- 0:56 - find where the top ball wants to settle
---- 1:33 - eliminating ball gaps
---- 2:08 - racking template
3:01 - Other Useful Techniques
---- 3:08 - move small balls to back row
---- 4:01 - dealing with sticky rack
---- 4:39 - brushing the cloth
5:03 - More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
 
FYI, I just posted a new video that discusses and demonstrates many techniques that can help you rack the balls as tightly as possible to improve your break effectiveness and consistency. Check it out:


Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:12 - VENT Excerpt on Racking
---- 0:26 - remove the top ball
---- 0:56 - find where the top ball wants to settle
---- 1:33 - eliminating ball gaps
---- 2:08 - racking template
3:01 - Other Useful Techniques
---- 3:08 - move small balls to back row
---- 4:01 - dealing with sticky rack
---- 4:39 - brushing the cloth
5:03 - More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!

Does anybody have any other good ideas not covered in the video to help get a tight rack?
 
I have always been interested, and I enjoy watching world-class 3C play, but I would need another lifetime to learn all the techniques and systems and give it the attention it deserves with instruction.
Oh, c'mon!

It'll be fun!
Screenshot_20250625-123519.jpg
 
The bar I play pool at can only achieve a tight rack when 4 specific balls at at the front of the triangle (8-ball).

In your opinion how does this interact with the rule where all the the game-ball are supposed to be random ??
{{That is which rule takes precedence ?}}
 
The bar I play pool at can only achieve a tight rack when 4 specific balls at at the front of the triangle (8-ball).

In your opinion how does this interact with the rule where all the the game-ball are supposed to be random ??
{{That is which rule takes precedence ?}}

Officially, that could be considered “pattern racking.” But since the pattern is used only to help create a tight rack (and not for game strategy or “cheat code” reasons), I personally don’t see any harm in it unless your opponent notices and objects. Your opponent could alternatively just copy your trick to also get a tight rack.
 
I lift the rack front first; pivoting off the back end. It can be more tedious than back first but it allows continuous view of the whole rack as the rack is removed.
 
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