Ball Position When Racking 8 Ball

Subsonic2u

Subsonic2u

No wonder I can't shoot
Silver Member
I shoot 8 ball in 3 different leagues. The rules say, when racking the balls, that the 8 must b in the 3rd row, in the middle, and the balls on the back row corners must b 1 stripe and 1 solid. Many times I have seen players rack with both corner balls on the back row being the same, both stripes, or both solids.

Does this give an advantage to the breaker? I was told since those end balls move around more that there is a better possibility that they might go in on the break. Thus giving the breaker a better chance of making 2 of the same catagory. :eek: Any creedance to this, or is it an old "wive's tale"?

Charlie
 
Subsonic2u said:
I shoot 8 ball in 3 different leagues. The rules say, when racking the balls, that the 8 must b in the 3rd row, in the middle, and the balls on the back row corners must b 1 stripe and 1 solid. Many times I have seen players rack with both corner balls on the back row being the same, both stripes, or both solids.

Does this give an advantage to the breaker? I was told since those end balls move around more that there is a better possibility that they might go in on the break. Thus giving the breaker a better chance of making 2 of the same catagory. :eek: Any creedance to this, or is it an old "wive's tale"?

Charlie
Click to expand...
i dont think they know the rule.
 
i couldn't say myself but just to add the position of the balls when i rack i always go with the color of the cloth of the table.

Say a blue cloth i rack'em this way
2
1 10
9 8 3
6 15 7 11
14 13 5 12 4

you can notice how the numbers follow each other if i didn't make the stripes and solids zig zag. I never really took notice on what balls i make, so tonight i will see what balls are made as i rack the rack the same way each time.
 
Most people seem to learn the old stripe/solid/stripe method of racking 8-ball where all three corners are going to be the same group and the two balls below the 8 are opposite groups. There are some very good players that still rack this way when I'm pretty sure they have read the most recent rules. I think the feeling was that by alternating the groups all around the perimeter of the rack that the distribution of the balls would be more even when broken. I've personally never heard of anyone subscribing to your theory about making two of the same group on the break. While I have made the two rear corner balls on the break, it is a very rare occurrence. In our area, the non-handicapped fun league does not specify anything except the 8 in the middle and the APA league is the same. They are basically blowing off the "official" rule. I guess it's kind of like the rule about using your turn signal...
 
Subsonic2u said:
I shoot 8 ball in 3 different leagues. The rules say, when racking the balls, that the 8 must b in the 3rd row, in the middle, and the balls on the back row corners must b 1 stripe and 1 solid. Many times I have seen players rack with both corner balls on the back row being the same, both stripes, or both solids.

Does this give an advantage to the breaker? I was told since those end balls move around more that there is a better possibility that they might go in on the break. Thus giving the breaker a better chance of making 2 of the same catagory. :eek: Any creedance to this, or is it an old "wive's tale"?

Charlie
Click to expand...

The wing balls go first it's true and have the highest percentage chance of going. Lets say the racker wants the advantage of shooting stripes because the stripes offer more of a reference point for aiming. So now he can doctor the rack after observing his opponents break by putting the same balls of a group on the corners.

This is all theory and I believe the rule is there to prevent arguments which could arise from a resulting layout.

I rack like this:

1
10 9
2 8 3
4 11 5 12
13 6 14 15 7
 
okay, i find this easier to do:

1
2 10
11 8 3
4 14 6 12
13 7 9 14 5

this puts the same colors in each row, easy to find and separates solids and stripes.

guy
 
There is no advantage in making two balls of the same suit on the break, If you are playing open table after the break like the bca. But if you are playing " you got what you make" , then there is a disadvantage in making two of the same suit. Leaves you with less options after the break. The ideal condition would be to make one of each suit, leaving you with twelve balls to select from as oppose to making two of the same suit and having only five ball to choose from.
 
TheConArtist said:
i couldn't say myself but just to add the position of the balls when i rack i always go with the color of the cloth of the table.

Say a blue cloth i rack'em this way
2
1 10
9 8 3
6 15 7 11
14 13 5 12 4

you can notice how the numbers follow each other if i didn't make the stripes and solids zig zag. I never really took notice on what balls i make, so tonight i will see what balls are made as i rack the rack the same way each time.
Click to expand...


I like your idea of putting the cloth color up front but I would then do it this way

2
9 1
3 8 11
12 4 13 5
6 14 10 7 15
 
I generally rack the one up front and then go stripe/solid after that. I know someone a while back mention'd racking the 1 up front and then doing one solid and one stripe behind the head ball. I've done this a couple times and havent noticed a difference on the # of solids or stripes made on the break.

I think Tiger Tour or one of the tours when they have a 8ball tourny, they have a rule that says, in the middle of the rack a small J has to be made with either solids or stripes, so you cant rack the balls to favor yourself.

I'd think if you put a solid and stripe on the corner's it would make it fair so, the person your playing doesnt have more of a chance to make a solid or stripe on the break.
 
Man you guys spend way to much time racking it looks like to me lol. It is open after the break in my bca league so I say rack em any way that floats your boat. As long as I can break and make a ball . I won't ***** like a ex wife. ;) :D :D
 
I thought the BCA rule book says 1 on the point and then alternate down the sides and around the bottom as well as the inside.
 
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