When you check the rack what exactly do you look for? I'm talking more in 9 ball here. I know you want at least the first 3 balls touching, but is there anything else that is as important? I know to check if the racker is tilting the rack to one side or the other, but is there anything else to watch out for? I've never truly studied how to rack so I've always just checked to make sure the first 3 were touching.
Checking the Rack
- Thread starter LHP5
- Start date
There are lots of ways to take advantage of gaps in the rack. If you know what you're looking for, you can do things like send the nine towards a pocket or set up a quick game-finishing combo. Check out Joe Tucker's Racking Secrets DVD and you'll learn everything you need to know (and improve your break as well).
That ^, after you watch that video you won't even care if the front 3 are touching a lot of the time. I don't even complain about it much in 8 ball anymore, if the front ball is loose, I just use the second ball break to the side of the rack. I find that if I hit it right, the cueball goes though the balls a few times off the rails and gives me a greater chance to make a ball and break up clusters.
I have seen people who even in matches where it's rack your own and the 9 does not count leave gaps to send the 9 to the corner. If it drops, sure it spots but the guy keeps shooting so it's like another wired ball. If it does not drop, and the guy makes another ball, the 9 is near the corner and waiting for an early combo.
I was watching one guy do this against my son, it was only a race to 3 but he sent the 9 ball to the corner every time he broke and also often during his other matches. I was getting ready to say something to him about racking properly but he got knocked out and left while I was playing.
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