HOW TO RACK Pool Balls as Tightly as Possible

dr_dave

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!
 
dr_dave said:
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!
Click to expand...

Does anybody have any other good ideas not covered in the video to help get a tight rack?
 
dr_dave said:
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.
Click to expand...
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 ?}}
 
MitchAlsup said:
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 ?}}
Click to expand...

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.
 
Sometimes if I'm having trouble keeping the rack tight, I'll tap the back lightly with my fingers. It can help slightly settle the balls and if you tap forward it can sometimes keep balls from sticking to the rack in front. Ideally you would clean the rack but it's not always possible on poorly maintained or poorly designed racks.

Think about the motion where someone taps their head/temples as in a "think" gesture. It's about the same mechanics and hardness.
 
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