Breaking and racking question in 9 ball.

R

ricky9ball

Member
I've just read that the racking position has changed, and now the 9 ball is on the spot, rather than the 1 ball. I understand, why, and that it was the professionals players that took it forward. My question is, has it now become standard in all 9 ball pool games, or only in certain tournaments? How should I now rack my 9 ball pack guys?
 
ricky9ball said:
I've just read that the racking position has changed, and now the 9 ball is on the spot, rather than the 1 ball. I understand, why, and that it was the professionals players that took it forward. My question is, has it now become standard in all 9 ball pool games, or only in certain tournaments? How should I now rack my 9 ball pack guys?
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Unless you're playing in a tournament requiring it (probably not unless a pro) I'd do the standard 1B on the spot and 9 in the middle.

9B has a predictable break, especially with templates. Unless you're running out every rack it's not really an issue. Most money matches or just regular tournaments will be 1B on the spot.

In truth you can do whatever you and your opponent agree on. Sometimes it's a fun change of pace to change up the breaking rules (9B on the spot, break box, etc.).

EDIT: 1B on the spot is most common and you will see that almost everywhere unless it's a pro tournament or just something a local tournament director wanted to try.
 
My local area is pretty random in this regard. The switch between 1 or 9 on the spot. Id say the determining factor is whether or not they allow templates for racking. I'll practice both, but neither requires much work.

Most of the 'players' in my parts carry templates with them now. Breaking with a template and having the 1 on the spot, is way too easy. That said, it's not much different with the 9 on the spot....lol. It really only gets tricky once you force the use of a 'break box' in the middle of the kitchen.

I'd love it if they did way with triangles all together. All it does is slow things down, and eventually screw someone over.
 
With worn cloth it's not uncommon to get racks wherever the balls stay put. This covers a lot of travel and doesn't even take into account tilts and outright slugs.

Speaking of slugs, you should make a sincere effort to rack properly; all the balls frozen and the whole rack properly oriented and positioned. Hint, squeezing the back row forward won't do it.
 
straightline said:
With worn cloth it's not uncommon to get racks wherever the balls stay put. This covers a lot of travel and doesn't even take into account tilts and outright slugs.

Speaking of slugs, you should make a sincere effort to rack properly; all the balls frozen and the whole rack properly oriented and positioned. Hint, squeezing the back row forward won't do it.
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Agreed, the magic rack template is the easiest way to obtain a really tight rack.
 
Really depends on what you play the most often, nothing in my area uses the break box but most tournaments use 9 on the spot , where as most leagues it's 1 on the spot.
 
ricky9ball said:
I've just read that the racking position has changed, and now the 9 ball is on the spot, rather than the 1 ball. I understand, why, and that it was the professionals players that took it forward. My question is, has it now become standard in all 9 ball pool games, or only in certain tournaments? How should I now rack my 9 ball pack guys?
Click to expand...

90% of the time the 9 is in the "normal" position. I only know of one local tournament by me that uses the 9 on the spot instead of the 1. It's due to being a race to 3, winner break, and 9 counts on the break, so they made it a bit harder to make a ball and make the 9 off the break.
 
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