Best Pool Ball Rack for 9 Ball and Straight Pool

https://www.seyberts.com/diamond-polycarbonate-pool-ball-rack

This is the new Diamond plastic rack. I used it at this year's DCC, and was impressed. IMO, it is the best plastic rack out there. Time will tell how it holds up, but I think it will hold up way better than wood racks.

I have a lot of experience with the Diamond wood rack (in commercial halls). IMO, it sucks. It falls apart, chips, and even the head ball starts to stick to it at times.

I personally own for my home table the Delta Elite. I like that, but the price is high.

I've played at rooms that had the one piece Delta Rack, that sold for $60 some, and that was crap IMO. It was nowhere near as nice as the Elite. It has some super thick paint on it, that would chip, and then not rack right. I think they discontinued that model 5 or so years ago, and now only sell the high end model.

IMO, if price is not object, get the Delta Elite for $150 or so. Next, get the Diamond plastic rack for 25. This is for straight pool and one pocket.

For 9/10 ball, get one of the template racks for $5. They all work great, and are way better than triangle racks, for 9 ball.

IMO, and YMMV:)


Edit:
https://www.seyberts.com/ball-racks/black-beauty-8-ball-rack/

This rack was the best plastic rack before the Diamond came out a few months ago. I've seen this rack in commercial halls for years, and it works the best. Way better than wood. Its also cheaper than the Diamond, at only $8.

It sounds like you are a beginner, as you were asking for a "diamond shaped 9 ball rack". If that is the case, just get this one for $8, and you will be plenty happy with it.
 
Last edited:
"The non elite is still $80. Unless anyone can find it cheaper"

$70, as pointed out above, and you'll never have to (or want to) buy another as long as you live. amortize that against a rack that you'll hate and will get sloppier over time.

do it once, do it right.
 
Just FYI, last year I got my best friend a Blue Delta Elite Rack as a bday present.
I wanted the best rack around for our straight pool matches and just in general.
For 9 & 10 ball, Magic Rack is still the best choice but 14.1, it is anyone's guess.


Matt B.
 
iusedtoberich said:
https://www.seyberts.com/diamond-polycarbonate-pool-ball-rack

This is the new Diamond plastic rack. I used it at this year's DCC, and was impressed. IMO, it is the best plastic rack out there. Time will tell how it holds up, but I think it will hold up way better than wood racks.

I have a lot of experience with the Diamond wood rack (in commercial halls). IMO, it sucks. It falls apart, chips, and even the head ball starts to stick to it at times.

I personally own for my home table the Delta Elite. I like that, but the price is high.

I've played at rooms that had the one piece Delta Rack, that sold for $60 some, and that was crap IMO. It was nowhere near as nice as the Elite. It has some super thick paint on it, that would chip, and then not rack right. I think they discontinued that model 5 or so years ago, and now only sell the high end model.

IMO, if price is not object, get the Delta Elite for $150 or so. Next, get the Diamond plastic rack for 25. This is for straight pool and one pocket.

For 9/10 ball, get one of the template racks for $5. They all work great, and are way better than triangle racks, for 9 ball.

IMO, and YMMV:)


Edit:
https://www.seyberts.com/ball-racks/black-beauty-8-ball-rack/

This rack was the best plastic rack before the Diamond came out a few months ago. I've seen this rack in commercial halls for years, and it works the best. Way better than wood. Its also cheaper than the Diamond, at only $8.

It sounds like you are a beginner, as you were asking for a "diamond shaped 9 ball rack". If that is the case, just get this one for $8, and you will be plenty happy with it.
Click to expand...

I don't see why asking for a matching 9 ball rack nakes me a beginner. Maybe I like the look of it and want to have both? Seems pretty presumptuous of you.
 
JFCastle said:
I don't see why asking for a matching 9 ball rack nakes me a beginner. Maybe I like the look of it and want to have both? Seems pretty presumptuous of you.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry for sounding presumptuous. There are certain questions that when asked, most experienced players will assume that the question is from an inexperienced player. The question about a diamond shaped rack for 9 ball is one of those. The members who tried to talk you out of that once they knew you were looking also for a diamond shaped 9 ball rack were all trying to help you so you won't waste money on one.

Now, if you want it for aesthetic reasons, go for it. But you made it seem you think its necessary to have a diamond shaped rack to play the game 9 ball. Not only is it not necessary, but it is actually much more difficult to rack 9 ball with the diamond shaped rack, than the triangle shaped rack. There is not enough room for your fingers at the back of the rack. And you fingers are at an angle, instead of straight across (as in a triangle shaped rack), so lifting the rack off of the balls becomes more difficult.

The plastic rack I linked above (and like a LOT), is also available in the triangle shape, if you still want to go that route.

Here is the specific link:
https://www.seyberts.com/ball-racks/black-beauty-9-ball-rack/

In general:

-wood racks pros are they are stiff, look pretty, and are traditional.
-wood rack cons are they change over time. Chip, become unglued, splinter, Form a divot in the front where the head ball settles into, and then sticks to, etc

-Plastic racks pros are they are cheap, and the plastic material itself does not wear away as much as a wood rack does.
-Plastic rack cons are they flex. That is for most of the cheaper plastic racks. This is because of the molding limitation process of plastic, usually requires thin material. The plastic rack I linked and the Diamond brand plastic rack are the two exceptions. The one I linked is molded out of a super thick piece of plastic. It is way stiffer than the cheaper ones. And the Diamond brand plastic one is molded out of a double wall of plastic. That is how it gets its stiffness.
 
iusedtoberich said:
https://www.seyberts.com/diamond-polycarbonate-pool-ball-rack

This is the new Diamond plastic rack. I used it at this year's DCC, and was impressed. IMO, it is the best plastic rack out there. Time will tell how it holds up, but I think it will hold up way better than wood racks.

I have a lot of experience with the Diamond wood rack (in commercial halls). IMO, it sucks. It falls apart, chips, and even the head ball starts to stick to it at times.

I personally own for my home table the Delta Elite. I like that, but the price is high.

I've played at rooms that had the one piece Delta Rack, that sold for $60 some, and that was crap IMO. It was nowhere near as nice as the Elite. It has some super thick paint on it, that would chip, and then not rack right. I think they discontinued that model 5 or so years ago, and now only sell the high end model.

IMO, if price is not object, get the Delta Elite for $150 or so. Next, get the Diamond plastic rack for 25. This is for straight pool and one pocket.

For 9/10 ball, get one of the template racks for $5. They all work great, and are way better than triangle racks, for 9 ball.

IMO, and YMMV:)


Edit:
https://www.seyberts.com/ball-racks/black-beauty-8-ball-rack/

This rack was the best plastic rack before the Diamond came out a few months ago. I've seen this rack in commercial halls for years, and it works the best. Way better than wood. Its also cheaper than the Diamond, at only $8.

It sounds like you are a beginner, as you were asking for a "diamond shaped 9 ball rack". If that is the case, just get this one for $8, and you will be plenty happy with it.
Click to expand...
I thought the black beauty plastic triangle racks you referred to were nice enough that I ordered 10 for our tables in here. Didn't take long to hear the complaints from our players that they didn't like the way they flexed as opposed to Diamond solid wood racks. I liked them because they didn't eventually start splintering little wood slivers on the table cloth like the Diamond wood racks will eventually do.

Also, players who are not careful enough to gently place the triangles back on the hook after racking sometimes just kind of chuck them towards the hook, and that heavy duty Diamond wood rack can ding up your pool table aprons and legs pretty good. I did eventually go back to the Diamond wood racks, but when they start wearing out and splintering, I'll likely try switching to the newer Diamond plastic racks to see how our players like them.
 
JFCastle said:
I don't see why asking for a matching 9 ball rack nakes me a beginner. Maybe I like the look of it and want to have both? Seems pretty presumptuous of you.
Click to expand...
No disrespect, but to be completely honest in an attempt to provide helpful feedback to you and save you from an unnecessary purchase, it's just common knowledge that any pool player wouldn't be caught dead using or requesting a 9-ball rack.

As another poster before me stated, it is virtually impossible to rack the 9 balls tightly and even if you are able to do so, it is virtually impossible to then lift the 9-ball rack off the balls without disturbing them. It is far easier to rack 9-balls in a diamond shape tightly in a 15 ball triangle rack than it is to rack the full 15 balls!

Trust me, a 9-ball rack is just a useless accessory, when once you learn the simple technique of racking 9 balls in the triangular rack, you will never, ever use again.
 
JFCastle said:
Looking for a good rack, price wise I would like to stay away from the Delta Elite 13 which costs $179.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I have 3 racks.

One is an original wooden one from Diamond that works great. For reference the Diamond plastic rack is garbage.

The second is the Magic rack in both 8 and 9 ball. The 8 ball one is horrible, too many balls in an 8 ball rack to get it out of the way after a break. The 9 ball rack is excellent though and highly recommended.

Last is the best rack of all, the Delta. It racks perfect no matter which side you pick up and the notch is a great sight alignment tool to get the rack perfect. I can deal with a little noise, however, I will not deal with a lousy set of racked balls.

If I had to just have one, I would choose the Delta.
 
ChrisinNC said:
No disrespect, but to be completely honest in an attempt to provide helpful feedback to you and save you from an unnecessary purchase, it's just common knowledge that any pool player wouldn't be caught dead using or requesting a 9-ball rack.

As another poster before me stated, it is virtually impossible to rack the 9 balls tightly and even if you are able to do so, it is virtually impossible to then lift the 9-ball rack off the balls without disturbing them. It is far easier to rack 9-balls in a diamond shape tightly in a 15 ball triangle rack than it is to rack the full 15 balls!

Trust me, a 9-ball rack is just a useless accessory, when once you learn the simple technique of racking 9 balls in the triangular rack, you will never, ever use again.
Click to expand...

Look I just wanted the 9 ball rack for aesthetic reasons because I have two hooks under my table. I agree they are useless and I don't use them. Thanks for the input.
 
JFCastle said:
Look I just wanted the 9 ball rack for aesthetic reasons because I have two hooks under my table. I agree they are useless and I don't use them. Thanks for the input.
Click to expand...
I understand. FYI, if you go with a Diamond triangle wood rack, the Yukon 9-ball wood racks sold on Seyberts look like a close match to the Diamond racks, if you choose the same stain color.
 
JFCastle said:
Look I just wanted the 9 ball rack for aesthetic reasons because I have two hooks under my table. I agree they are useless and I don't use them. Thanks for the input.
Click to expand...

Since you seem to get defensive when someone questions you, try this on for size. :duck:

Instead of spending $50 on "aesthetic reasons", removed 1 hook (free), center the other hook (also free), and keep the $50. If that ol Grant is still burning a hole in your pocket after that, donate it to your local food bank. Im sure some hungry people in your area will get more out of that $50 than you will, having a rack that you will never use hanging under your pool table, just so that it 'looks good'.

But hey, whatever floats your boat. :thumbup:
 
JFCastle said:
I don't see why asking for a matching 9 ball rack nakes me a beginner. Maybe I like the look of it and want to have both? Seems pretty presumptuous of you.
Click to expand...

You would have to be a beginner to feel a nine ball rack has any value whatsoever.

That's why

JC
 
At least you have options.

I've been on the hunt for a nice 10-ball rack for quite a spell. No luck.

Nuthin'
Nada
Zilch
 
JFCastle said:
How about this

https://www.seyberts.com/diamond-polycarbonate-pool-ball-rack
Click to expand...

They were using these at Derby City this year and I thought they were great.

Diamond's wooden racks have always had a saw kerf on the side intended to be nearest the racker. If you have a line drawn on the cloth from the foot spot straight back toward the racker, it is easy to see if the back of rack is misaligned to the right or left. I don't know why the new polycarbonate racks are made without a molded line similar to the kerf.
 
I kept an eye on Ebay searching for used racks over a few months. Eventually found this gem. Built like a fine cabinet and solid as anything out there. I'm guessing PROspeed is no longer making these or even in business but it looks like the wood racks sold by Diamond are similar. They are probably not $14 like this was.

Not that I've used it but that price included the matching 9 ball rack.

f9c05a4a3c5c2b9b9ec0819028e3a1f7.jpg
c1e6168b0d70f73b43d734d6eb7d8ed1.jpg
62dd1dfb1e12b3b67a2c93e3ff9236cc.jpg


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top