14.1 Rerack question(s)

[Double-Dave]

Hi guys,

I've got a few questions about what you do when re-spotting the 15th ball after it has been played safe or a foul has been made.

The main question being; if the 14 balls (the rack) haven't been touched do you use the rack to make sure the 15th ball is press against the other balls, or just place it as close as possible by hand?

If the 14 balls were racked too far forward, but haven't been touched otherwise does the 15th ball come behind the other 14?

thanks for any help/opinions

 

[Rich R.]

Hi guys,

I've got a few questions about what you do when re-spotting the 15th ball after it has been played safe or a foul has been made.

The main question being; if the 14 balls (the rack) haven't been touched do you use the rack to make sure the 15th ball is press against the other balls, or just place it as close as possible by hand?

If the 14 balls were racked too far forward, but haven't been touched otherwise does the 15th ball come behind the other 14?

thanks for any help/opinions

In an ideal world, when playing 14.1, the table would be marked to make sure you are racking in the same place each time. In this case, there shouldn't be a problem.

In a not so ideal world, you would do the best you can. If the rack is very far from an accurate position, you may want to discuss it with your opponent. JMHO.

 

[Gerry]

If the rack hasn't been touched yet, I always correct the mistake by re-racking all 15 balls where they are supposed to be. I never had anyone say anything when I did this....especially if they racked in the first place.

Gerry

 

[Double-Dave]

If the rack hasn't been touched yet, I always correct the mistake by re-racking all 15 balls where they are supposed to be. I never had anyone say anything when I did this....especially if they racked in the first place.

Gerry

I used to do the same thing, until someone called a foul on me for touching/moving other balls. I had to give in, since we were in league play, otherwise I would have walked away. What I'm thinking about doing now when I suspect my opponent is gonna play safe on the last ball, is rack the balls forward a bit, so the 15th comes behind it. That way at least the ball I'm hitting (one of the front two) is press.

gr. Dave

 

[Bob Jewett]

I used to do the same thing, until someone called a foul on me for touching/moving other balls. I had to give in, since we were in league play, otherwise I would have walked away. What I'm thinking about doing now when I suspect my opponent is gonna play safe on the last ball, is rack the balls forward a bit, so the 15th comes behind it. That way at least the ball I'm hitting (one of the front two) is press.

gr. Dave

Although the rules are silent on the matter, I think you should re-rack. Your opponent can't call a foul on you when you are acting as the referee. The loose ball never goes behind an untouched 14-ball rack.

 

[DJKeys]

I place the ball on the spot and if it does not freeze, I ask my opponent if they would like the balls to be re-racked.

 

[Tom In Cincy]

When I rack the 14 balls I use a ball from the last row placed on the head ball spot to make sure that 14 balls are as close to the correct spot as possible. then I take the ball and re-place it on the end row (still using the rack) to freeze the 14 balls

Usually the spotted 15th ball would be very close.

 

[Gerry]

When I rack the 14 balls I use a ball from the last row placed on the head ball spot to make sure that 14 balls are as close to the correct spot as possible. then I take the ball and re-place it on the end row (still using the rack) to freeze the 14 balls

Usually the spotted 15th ball would be very close.

That will work, or carry an extra cueball like I do!

Gerry

 

[Solartje]

is a tight topball of the triangle important in 14-1? I thought only the lowest row had to be tight to make sure u get the 2 end balls of that row going to the rail and back to its orignial place.

ps dave funny u asked. Yesterday i had the same question during our belgium ranking event. I asked opponent if he wanted a re-rack and he said nah, its ok.

 

[Bob Jewett]

is a tight topball of the triangle important in 14-1? I thought only the lowest row had to be tight to make sure u get the 2 end balls of that row going to the rail and back to its orignial place....

If the rack is tight, you will not get the "perfect" break. If you want to do that, move the bottom row of balls slightly back from the rack.

 

[mjantti]

is a tight topball of the triangle important in 14-1? I thought only the lowest row had to be tight to make sure u get the 2 end balls of that row going to the rail and back to its orignial place.

Quite right Solartje, but that's usually good for the opening break shot. After the match has started, the opening break shot is hardly ever used again, it's easier to play safe because you need only one ball to contact a cushion after a hit on any ball.

 

[PoolFool]

i'm not too sure about that

Although the rules are silent on the matter, I think you should re-rack. Your opponent can't call a foul on you when you are acting as the referee. The loose ball never goes behind an untouched 14-ball rack.

I have played in a few straight pool leagues and there is an official ruling on this matter. Once the balls are racked and the shooters proceeds to take his shot, he has accepted the rack as is and it is a foul to touch them. In a friendly game, yeah sure, you can rerack the balls if you choose, but in a league or tournament play, it is a foul.

 

[Double-Dave]

It seems the opinions vary, let me make clear that in friendly play I will off course rerack all 15 balls. Good idea about racking them with another cue-ball, I hadn't thought of that one. But in league play, it does appear to be a foul. More opinions/facts wanted!

 

[Double-Dave]

is a tight topball of the triangle important in 14-1? I thought only the lowest row had to be tight to make sure u get the 2 end balls of that row going to the rail and back to its orignial place.

ps dave funny u asked. Yesterday i had the same question during our belgium ranking event. I asked opponent if he wanted a re-rack and he said nah, its ok.

Hi Solar,

It helps if the top ball is touching, I sometimes play safe directly onto it trying to freeze the cueball on it. I also asked my last oppenent, he said no thank you, played safe on it, left me a shot. Two racks later he asks me the same thing. I say yes please, played safe, didn't leave him anything.

gr. Dave

 

[Double-Dave]

Although the rules are silent on the matter, I think you should re-rack. Your opponent can't call a foul on you when you are acting as the referee. The loose ball never goes behind an untouched 14-ball rack.

I can't call a foul on my opponent when he's racking? What if he picks up the 15th ball and racks that as well? Oh wait, I should mention that we play EVERY game all-ball foul. Don't mean to be condescending (wow, big word) in any way, just curious.

gr. Dave

 

[mjantti]

I always ask my opponent if he wants me to use the rack with spotting the ball. There aren't many ways you can foul when your opponent is at the table btw.

 

[Bob Jewett]

I can't call a foul on my opponent when he's racking? What if he picks up the 15th ball and racks that as well? Oh wait, I should mention that we play EVERY game all-ball foul. Don't mean to be condescending (wow, big word) in any way, just curious.

gr. Dave

If he picks up the 15th ball intentionally, he loses the match.

If he picks up the 15th ball by mistake, there is the same penalty as for when the referee does it: none. At least that's the way I'd play it. The rules don't say what to do when a player is acting as referee. I think if he has the responsibilities of the referee, he should also have the rights. One of those rights is to be clumsy without penalty.

Suppose the "ref" is spotting a ball against another ball. Suppose he slightly moves a blocking ball, which always happens if he actually freezes the spotted ball. What should the penalty be? Suppose he's really clumsy and drops the ball to be spotted in the middle of the rack?

 

[PoolFool]

If he picks up the 15th ball intentionally, he loses the match.

I know this is getting off the subject, but if anyone picks up the 15th ball that lies on the table, it is a foul and -15 points. In this case all the balls are reracked and the player who commited the foul must take ball in hand behind the string and perform an opening break shot where 2 object balls and the cueball must contact a rail. The player who commited the foul does not lose the game.

 

[Solartje]

Hi Solar,

It helps if the top ball is touching, I sometimes play safe directly onto it trying to freeze the cueball on it. I also asked my last oppenent, he said no thank you, played safe on it, left me a shot. Two racks later he asks me the same thing. I say yes please, played safe, didn't leave him anything.

gr. Dave

ok that explains why I cant get my cb to be frozen against it. My opponent probably just gave me sloppy racks. thx for the info but i am right only the lowest row influences the breakshot right?

dave, when are u coming to belgium?

 

[Bob Jewett]

I know this is getting off the subject, but if anyone picks up the 15th ball that lies on the table, it is a foul and -15 points. ...

I think that if the shooter intentionally touches any object ball in play, it is unsportsmanlike conduct. I think an appropriate penalty for this case is loss of game. They clearly don't want to play pool.

Some players try to use the following nasty little wrinkle: They have just missed the break and smashed the balls open. Their opponent will likely run out, since he needs 3 balls. The breaker grabs up the cue ball thinking it will be a 15-point foul and shoot an opening break shot. If I'm the tournament director, they'll get a big surprise.