Asking for a re-rack

S

shag_fu

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've gotten into the habit lately of checking almost all of the racks that I break in tournaments and leagues. i notice the vast majority of players never bother with this or assume that they will get a good rack. When it doenst break well they end up blaming the racker. I've noticed the most common gap in a 9-ball rack is between the 2 balls in the second row. Anything more than 1/16 and I'll ask for a re-rack. In 8-ball, especially on a bar-box with the flimsy plastic rack, most people push on the last row of ball causing the front to bulge in the sides. This creates 2 spaces right next to the 8 ball. These racks almost always break poorly leaving a cluster in the middle. I've noticed many people are a bit put off when I ask for a rerack, some are a bit irate.

What are others experiences with this type of thing( I try not to be a jerk when asking for a re-rack to hopefully avoid a confrontation). And do you make it a habit of checking the rack?
 
shag_fu said:
I've gotten into the habit lately of checking almost all of the racks that I break in tournaments and leagues. i notice the vast majority of players never bother with this or assume that they will get a good rack. When it doenst break well they end up blaming the racker. I've noticed the most common gap in a 9-ball rack is between the 2 balls in the second row. Anything more than 1/16 and I'll ask for a re-rack. In 8-ball, especially on a bar-box with the flimsy plastic rack, most people push on the last row of ball causing the front to bulge in the sides. This creates 2 spaces right next to the 8 ball. These racks almost always break poorly leaving a cluster in the middle. I've noticed many people are a bit put off when I ask for a rerack, some are a bit irate.

What are others experiences with this type of thing( I try not to be a jerk when asking for a re-rack to hopefully avoid a confrontation). And do you make it a habit of checking the rack?
Click to expand...

my experience is everytime i start playing pool the way its supposed to be played (ie running out), i subsequently get a nice slug. no big mystery to me but seems to be to every other tournament director in the country: rack your own 9 ball don't count on the break, that solves MOST (not all) of the rack problems imo. why does nobody do it? i dont know, i guess for the same reasons we voted for bush.
 
When the racker has finished and looks away I politely say that I think a ball moved. I then watch him rerack. If someone is offended by asking for a rerack---there is usually a reason. Do not let this intimidate you.
 
Tennesseejoe said:
When the racker has finished and looks away I politely say that I think a ball moved. I then watch him rerack. If someone is offended by asking for a rerack---there is usually a reason. Do not let this intimidate you.
Click to expand...

i love that post, well said!
 
You should find yourself a copy of Joe Tucker's "Racking Secrets". This book (the latest edition) is the end-all, be-all book about reading racks. Even I can read rack, courtesy of Joe. The book is out of print, but Charley Bond's (ceebee on CCB) has incorporated this book into his "Great Break Shots" book that you can buy with his Break Rak equipment.

I always watch the rack when my opponent is racking. If I see balls move that I don't want to see move, I will inspect it close up and ask for a re-rack, if warranted. Note I said, "if warranted". After you know how to read racks, you will learn which gaps will be to your advantage.

Barbara
 
Barbara said:
You should find yourself a copy of Joe Tucker's "Racking Secrets". This book (the latest edition) is the end-all, be-all book about reading racks. Even I can read rack, courtesy of Joe. The book is out of print, but Charley Bond's (ceebee on CCB) has incorporated this book into his "Great Break Shots" book that you can buy with his Break Rak equipment.

I always watch the rack when my opponent is racking. If I see balls move that I don't want to see move, I will inspect it close up and ask for a re-rack, if warranted. Note I said, "if warranted". After you know how to read racks, you will learn which gaps will be to your advantage.

Barbara
Click to expand...

The DVD is much better, it actually shows you the gaps and the outcomes.
 
shag_fu said:
I've gotten into the habit lately of checking almost all of the racks that I break in tournaments and leagues. i notice the vast majority of players never bother with this or assume that they will get a good rack. When it doenst break well they end up blaming the racker. I've noticed the most common gap in a 9-ball rack is between the 2 balls in the second row. Anything more than 1/16 and I'll ask for a re-rack. In 8-ball, especially on a bar-box with the flimsy plastic rack, most people push on the last row of ball causing the front to bulge in the sides. This creates 2 spaces right next to the 8 ball. These racks almost always break poorly leaving a cluster in the middle. I've noticed many people are a bit put off when I ask for a rerack, some are a bit irate.

What are others experiences with this type of thing( I try not to be a jerk when asking for a re-rack to hopefully avoid a confrontation). And do you make it a habit of checking the rack?
Click to expand...

It has been my experience that wooden racks go a long way in getting a good rack. I think most people strive for a tight rack, but a plastic rack makes it difficult to achieve. Worn or mismatched balls can make it impossible.
 
I check the first rack someone gives me in a set or match, unless I know them absolutely to be honest. If it looks good, then I won't check again unless I come up dry.

I watch from the breaking end of the table while they rack in the dead center, so they still have their space, (I hate it when people breathe down my neck; they are going to have their chance to inspect the rack when I am done!) but I can see if it is crooked or if a ball moves. If I see a ball move, then I will go down and check the rack. (Sometimes it moved because it actually fell/settled into place!)

It doesn't matter what histrionics the racker goes through, like really straining, checking both sides of the one ball, putting their hand over the light, or taking a lot of time, the above are still my indicators to check. Someone I absolutely know I cannot trust, I will check every time.

It flabbergasts me to no end how many good players will not check their racks for the most important shot of the game (other than the game ball :p ) and even if they do, they are standing off to the side, ready to break.

I played a weasly guy on Wed. night. I saw he was racking them crooked. When he was done, I laid my stick in a line with the 3 middle balls (9ball rack), and the butt of my cue was pointing at the first diamond! :eek:

And forget about karma! Those cheaters always come out ahead! I have gotten slug racks before, and the 1-9 fall into an easy combo more times than I can tell you. :mad:
 
shag_fu said:
I've gotten into the habit lately of checking almost all of the racks that I break in tournaments and leagues. i notice the vast majority of players never bother with this or assume that they will get a good rack. When it doenst break well they end up blaming the racker. I've noticed the most common gap in a 9-ball rack is between the 2 balls in the second row. Anything more than 1/16 and I'll ask for a re-rack. In 8-ball, especially on a bar-box with the flimsy plastic rack, most people push on the last row of ball causing the front to bulge in the sides. This creates 2 spaces right next to the 8 ball. These racks almost always break poorly leaving a cluster in the middle. I've noticed many people are a bit put off when I ask for a rerack, some are a bit irate.

What are others experiences with this type of thing( I try not to be a jerk when asking for a re-rack to hopefully avoid a confrontation). And do you make it a habit of checking the rack?
Click to expand...

I play in a local Mens Group a couple of time a month. If I Rack for the other Team, I Rack LOOSE. If they look, and ask for a re rack I re rack, if they do not they suffer from not looking.

Asking for a Re Rack, so you Get a Tight Rack IMO is within your rights...
 
Barbara- I have joe tuckers book, but he deals mostly with 9 ball. There are a few things on the 8 ball rack but not very much.

Chris- wooden or good plastic racks help. When playing in bars, 98% of the players will rack by pushing the balls forward with all the force on the back row. This causes the front to bulge and allow the the 2 balls next to the 8 to unfreeze from the 8. To rectify this, hold the back row with the thumbs, and squeeze the front of the rack with the index and middle fingers. This prevents the plastic rack from bulging and usually leaves no spaces in the rack. If the space is only on one side, I'll break from the other side hoping the 8 squirts out. I usually ask for a re-rack if the spaces shows up on both sides.
 
For me its not a trust thing, I started shortly after i got joes book and really started to notice these things. Most people i play with dont do it on purpose, they just dont pay attention.
 
PoolSleuth said:
I play in a local Mens Group a couple of time a month. If I Rack for the other Team, I Rack LOOSE. If they look, and ask for a re rack I re rack, if they do not they suffer from not looking.

Asking for a Re Rack, so you Get a Tight Rack IMO is within your rights...
Click to expand...

If you rack loosely on purpose, it is cheating, pure and simple.

WORLD STANDARDIZED RULES OF THE WORLD POOL-BILLIARD ASSOCIATION (WPA)

3.2 RACKING THE BALLS
When racking the balls a triangle must be used, and the apex ball is to be spotted on the foot spot. All the balls must be lined up behind the apex ball and pressed together so that they all have contact with each other.
Click to expand...
 
I usually give the benefit of doubt to someone I have not played before...I think most people (other than Poolsleuth) try to give good racks.

If I get a bad rack, the next time they rack, I will wait for them to get done and then act like I am getting down to shoot, I will then stand up walk to the other end and grab the chalk like I am chalking my cue. (Since I am already down there)...I look at the rack and if its bad I ask for a re-rack...

If I feel like someone intentionally racked me...(like Poolsleuth) I will stand right next to them and stare at the rack watching them rack...That drives people "nuts"....Leads to the comment..."I can't get it tight...rack your own".......
 
shag_fu said:
I've gotten into the habit lately of checking almost all of the racks that I break in tournaments and leagues. i notice the vast majority of players never bother with this or assume that they will get a good rack. When it doenst break well they end up blaming the racker. I've noticed the most common gap in a 9-ball rack is between the 2 balls in the second row. Anything more than 1/16 and I'll ask for a re-rack. In 8-ball, especially on a bar-box with the flimsy plastic rack, most people push on the last row of ball causing the front to bulge in the sides. This creates 2 spaces right next to the 8 ball. These racks almost always break poorly leaving a cluster in the middle. I've noticed many people are a bit put off when I ask for a rerack, some are a bit irate.

What are others experiences with this type of thing( I try not to be a jerk when asking for a re-rack to hopefully avoid a confrontation). And do you make it a habit of checking the rack?
Click to expand...

I always try to give a good rack and will usually invite someone to check the rack, especially if they aren't breaking well. I want them to see that it's them, not the rack.

Cheers,
RC
 
enzo said:
rack your own 9 ball don't count on the break, that solves MOST (not all) of the rack problems imo.
Click to expand...

Yes!!!!! Can we start doing that please, world? :D

I'd like to add to that... if the 9 does go, the breaker gets the option of (a) re-rack/re-break, or (b) spot the 9.
 
Hey Queenie Linda !!

I've learned from Vagabond that if someone constantly checks your racks at close proximity, to offer them a Breath Mint! Maybe it wasn't from Vag, but it's good advice!! Stand them off!!

Barbara~~~always gives a good rack to an opponent :)
 
Barbara said:
Hey Queenie Linda !!

I've learned from Vagabond that if someone constantly checks your racks at close proximity, to offer them a Breath Mint! Maybe it wasn't from Vag, but it's good advice!! Stand them off!!

Barbara~~~always gives a good rack to an opponent :)
Click to expand...

That's a great suggestion! I think I will try that. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top