Beacon
Member
I don't want to get use to something they don't typically have in pool halls or bars. I don't like the extra set up time. I like a traditional rack
Best Non Metal Rack.
- Thread starter Beacon
- Start date
Beacon
Member
This is the rack that is giving me issues. My crappy wood one gets a tight rack but this one always leaves big gaps
That's been the best plastic one for 25 years, until the Diamond came along. Diamond is the only other good option if you want plastic.
I've used them all (stiff plastic, flimsy plastic, thin wood, heavy wood, Diamond wood, Diamond plastic, etc), and own a Delta 13 Elite version at my home table. Templates give them all the 5 out.
Unfortunately, not all the balls are the same size. Even my new set of Tournament balls are not perfect, that’s why the template works so well. I would never use a template for 1P so I’ll stick with the best rack ever, the Delta 13 Elite with leather inserts.
Magic rack is WAY faster, if the goal is a tight rack. You develop a technique and get it racked very quickly. It sure beats bending over forever trying to get a tight rack with a triangle.
IMO, what you do at your home table should be the best. It should not be to emulate what is in the bars. That means a new set of balls, a well rolling table, a nice rack, etc.
What you are suggesting would be like playing with a used and chipped set of balls with beer stained cloth because that's what's in the bar.
I spent $150 for the Delta Elite rack 15 years ago. I never use it now, unless I'm practicing straight pool. The magic rack is simply way better for 9 ball, which is my main game. (I've actually never tried it for a full rack game...).
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
I have a weird take on this. I used to laugh at people who wouldn't play for money with a template rack. It sounded like an excuse.
I like templates, espoused their benefits for years. Then I got a bit better at pool. It made the break trivial.
The break should not be trivial. The break becomes trivial even a for a low "C" player with a magic rack.
Anymore I honestly prefer RYO with a triangle, but I'd rather play even opponent racks off a triangle than using a template. I don't care if I get a slug rack occasionally. I have a break style for what I call "league night racks." It's not perfect yet but it beats the standard soft cut break.
I'll play either way, but it's silly to have practiced racking for better players and not even get to put the skill to use. I can rack as good or better than anyone, I see that as an advantage.
The other reason I don't like it is it takes feel out for the racker. If I'm racking I want to at least get a feel for the balls instead of being put on ice while rolling balls into cutouts. If I'm playing template I'd rather just have RYO. Let them piss with it and I'll sit and zone out for a minute. I'm the guy that will rack as perfect as I can for an opponent. I find most people aren't really used to perfection on a rack, give them perfection and they break like shit. Most folks around here want a gap between the second row... that isn't correct. Most will get annoyed if you take an extra 15 seconds actually getting a rack frozen. They want shit racks and give shit racks, fast is the name of the game.
If the spot is maintained it's faster to rack with a triangle. If the spot has a crater then it might take longer. Magic rack in particular will ruin a spot faster and create a hell of a divot there. The rack material is thick enough that the balls are "preloaded" and not just frozen, but forced together (too thick). The spot under the 1 takes extra abuse, especially with a "pop" break. I prefer outsville racks if I'm going template. They get a frozen rack, but it acts as a rack should. Magic rack doesn't. The rack is too thick and causes unnatural action on them. Outsville acts as a perfectly frozen rack in a normal triangle. No odd "preload" going on with them.
Try the MR format on your gambling matches. It’s really good imo. I just played 4 gambling sets to 11 with it and a US Open qualifier with it this week. It takes away the dead ball, brings speed and skill back into the break, and because it’s a template, there are no arguments or bending over forever to get a good rack.
The Diamond & Delta racks have the great recessed side grooves. Nothing more frustrating than spending the extra time getting a really tight rack, and then have the damned triangle slip out of your sweaty fingers while lifting it, thus disturbing the balls. I also like the oversized Diamond wooden triangle, as the size makes it easier to rack fast & lift clean (though only one corner really racks true). But, a Delta is occasionally needed also for 14.1 (if the last ball is close).
