Eurotour.. Racking the balls with your hands?

[pooladdict]

Well, IMO, all these new racking templates are very good for 10 ball or 8ball. You get a good rack, no issues.

OK, players will look for a way to make one of the two balls in the second row in the center pocket, and it can be somewhat easier to find the sweet spots using the templates, but that is not such a big deal.

However, for 9ball, I dont like them so much. They give you the opportunity to break soft, make the cornerball everytime, having the same run-out everytime.

In some tournaments, they try to avoid this by:
* breaking from the box
* "3-points" rule
* racking high - 9ball on the spot

My point is if you dont implement these rules - which btw can be a Pain in the a** to enforce - the racking templates evens out the differences between the players even more in 9ball. Thats not a good thing

If I had a big 9ball tournament, my rules would be simple:
* Use the triangle
* Rack your own
* no pattern racking
* Spot the 9ball if it goes on the break

Apart from spotting the 9ball, thats what they use at the Derby. With the fourth rule, Derby would be perfect.

 

[RBC]

Pooladdict

We have actually gone to the same rules in our weekly 9 ball tourney.

Rack your own, 9 on the break spots and you shoot from where they lay.

This has been tremendous for me as I am somewhat of a perfectionist on the rack. In the past, it was frustrating to hit a great break and have only 2 balls make past the side pocket. I don't think most did this on purpose, but some did.

Now, you can watch the ones who didn't realize they didn't know how to rack slug themselves and wonder what happened. All in all, they are learning to rack better, which brings up the level of play all the way around.

It's been a very positive thing, but it would still be easier with the rack spot.

Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com

 

[samurai]

Well, IMO, all these new racking templates are very good for 10 ball or 8ball. You get a good rack, no issues.

OK, players will look for a way to make one of the two balls in the second row in the center pocket, and it can be somewhat easier to find the sweet spots using the templates, but that is not such a big deal.

However, for 9ball, I dont like them so much. They give you the opportunity to break soft, make the cornerball everytime, having the same run-out everytime.

In some tournaments, they try to avoid this by:
* breaking from the box
* "3-points" rule
* racking high - 9ball on the spot

My point is if you dont implement these rules - which btw can be a Pain in the a** to enforce - the racking templates evens out the differences between the players even more in 9ball. Thats not a good thing

If I had a big 9ball tournament, my rules would be simple:
* Use the triangle
* Rack your own
* no pattern racking
* Spot the 9ball if it goes on the break

Apart from spotting the 9ball, thats what they use at the Derby. With the fourth rule, Derby would be perfect.

These systems whether it be the Rack Spot or the templates used on the Euro Tour and in Japan work without arguement. They have rules in place that prevent the soft break in 9-ball whereby 3 balls must pass the head string. Their tournaments run like clock work with very few delays because no time is wasted over (sometimes made up) opinions about the rack. We all know that the majority of the time this is a move to throw off the other player mentally! By implementing these new racking systems, you level the playing field.

 

[Kimmo]

just to get any doubts about my objectivity in the open...I am reseller for the Magic Ball Rack in Germany.....

I wanted to point out that the only racking-methods that do not affect the play after the racking...is the wooden triangle and/or the derivatives from that (Sardo etc).
All the others, whether it is the dimples made by "tapping", the Magic Ball Rack or this new one with little rings....these will leave something on the table at least for the duration of the break-shot.

Here's my take on the 3 methods

TRADITIONAL
Usually done with a wooden triangle
+ ...hmmm...I do not know...apart from the "ego-massage" from the sound of your opponent racking after you run out
- difficult to rack tight due to differences in ball-sizes or wear&tear on cloth
- bad cloth...almost impossible to rack tight

TAPPING
Use of special template to "dent" the cloth a little to make the balls lean against each other slightly

+ tight rack
+ after tapping no special equipment required
- will affect slow-rolling balls albeit very little
- will wear out requiring a "re-tapping"
- table that is not very well maintained and is tapped...is almost impossible to rack tight anymore

MAGIC BALL RACK
Use of a plastic-template that is placed on a table on which the balls are then placed.
+ tight rack
+ inexpensive template
+ can be removed after break shot leaving nothing on the table
- due to thickness of the template, slow rolling balls can alter cause slightly

RACK SPOT
Use of small plastic rings on the table to aid with racking.
+ tight rack
+ inexpensive (? do not know the prices)
- remains on the table after the break and can therefore alter the course of slow rolling balls


I also saw some people commenting on the benefits of a "bad" rack and the randomness of the break.... I rather have a tight rack every time but alter the position of the rack (together with the other break rules like breakbox, 3 balls in the kitchen etc) if necessary. The only solution here that guarantees a good rack regardless of where on the table you wish to rack is the Magic Ball Rack. You can rack the 9 on the spot, 1b under the spot.....rack them sideways if you wish...the point is that you can change the racking position every time without a problem and you will still get a tight rack....heck..take it with you to a bar and you can still get a tight rack even if the table had more beer and cigarette ashes dropped on it than Andrew Dice Clay convention.

Anyhow....that is my, perhaps biased but i would like to think, well founded opinion.

cheers,
Kimmo

Those are my principles and if you do not like them, I've got others! - Groucho Marx

 

[meximan2469]

Racking Systems.....

This has been a very entertaining thread bringing up lots of good arguements, I haven't tried most of these new systems ( other than the magic rack) but I must put in my two cents.

People have written books and produced dvd's about how to manipulate the "traditional rack" so obviously there has to be a better option.

I was at the Turning Stone Event this last December, during the Final between Johnny Archer and Rodney Morris (Opponent Rack 9 Ball) Rodney was in the middle of a 5 pack breaking to get on the hill and all of a sudden "bang" he hit the rack and 7 of the 9 balls stayed within a foot or so of the racking area. Now Johnny Archer immediately was continually stating that he was sure it was a good rack, so either Johnny Archer is one of the greatest actors of all time or it was just "bad luck" and a ball had moved ......but the moral of this story is that, we should be researching which is the best system and using it across the board because it has to be better than we have now.

Just my Opinion

Dave

 

[samurai]

just to get any doubts about my objectivity in the open...I am reseller for the Magic Ball Rack in Germany.....

I wanted to point out that the only racking-methods that do not affect the play after the racking...is the wooden triangle and/or the derivatives from that (Sardo etc).
All the others, whether it is the dimples made by "tapping", the Magic Ball Rack or this new one with little rings....these will leave something on the table at least for the duration of the break-shot.

Here's my take on the 3 methods

TRADITIONAL
Usually done with a wooden triangle
+ ...hmmm...I do not know...apart from the "ego-massage" from the sound of your opponent racking after you run out
- difficult to rack tight due to differences in ball-sizes or wear&tear on cloth
- bad cloth...almost impossible to rack tight

TAPPING
Use of special template to "dent" the cloth a little to make the balls lean against each other slightly

+ tight rack
+ after tapping no special equipment required
- will affect slow-rolling balls albeit very little
- will wear out requiring a "re-tapping"
- table that is not very well maintained and is tapped...is almost impossible to rack tight anymore

MAGIC BALL RACK
Use of a plastic-template that is placed on a table on which the balls are then placed.
+ tight rack
+ inexpensive template
+ can be removed after break shot leaving nothing on the table
- due to thickness of the template, slow rolling balls can alter cause slightly

RACK SPOT
Use of small plastic rings on the table to aid with racking.
+ tight rack
+ inexpensive (? do not know the prices)
- remains on the table after the break and can therefore alter the course of slow rolling balls


I also saw some people commenting on the benefits of a "bad" rack and the randomness of the break.... I rather have a tight rack every time but alter the position of the rack (together with the other break rules like breakbox, 3 balls in the kitchen etc) if necessary. The only solution here that guarantees a good rack regardless of where on the table you wish to rack is the Magic Ball Rack. You can rack the 9 on the spot, 1b under the spot.....rack them sideways if you wish...the point is that you can change the racking position every time without a problem and you will still get a tight rack....heck..take it with you to a bar and you can still get a tight rack even if the table had more beer and cigarette ashes dropped on it than Andrew Dice Clay convention.

Anyhow....that is my, perhaps biased but i would like to think, well founded opinion.

cheers,
Kimmo

Those are my principles and if you do not like them, I've got others! - Groucho Marx

HI Kimmo,

The magic rack is great for personal practise, but still has to be laid down by human hands so it can still be manipulated. I agree that all 3 systems have downfalls, but I feel that the Rack Spot system is the most fair as it is permanent and CANNOT be manipulated by anyone thereby giving EVERYONE an IDENTICAL perfect rack. The rings are thinner than your magic rack and even thinner than the foot spot. I have used the one on my table for a year now and it is still perfect. I have a friend that bought one of the Magic Racks and said that he had to buy another one after only a few months, the Rack Spot system only needs to be replaced when you replace your cloth. I have played in competition with both, so I can confidently say that I prefer the Rack Spot.

 

[samurai]

This has been a very entertaining thread bringing up lots of good arguements, I haven't tried most of these new systems ( other than the magic rack) but I must put in my two cents.

People have written books and produced dvd's about how to manipulate the "traditional rack" so obviously there has to be a better option.

I was at the Turning Stone Event this last December, during the Final between Johnny Archer and Rodney Morris (Opponent Rack 9 Ball) Rodney was in the middle of a 5 pack breaking to get on the hill and all of a sudden "bang" he hit the rack and 7 of the 9 balls stayed within a foot or so of the racking area. Now Johnny Archer immediately was continually stating that he was sure it was a good rack, so either Johnny Archer is one of the greatest actors of all time or it was just "bad luck" and a ball had moved ......but the moral of this story is that, we should be researching which is the best system and using it across the board because it has to be better than we have now.

Just my Opinion

Dave

Well said Dave....this is my point!

 

[David_Smith]

When playing 9 ball with a tapped table (as used on the Euro tour) you pretty much have to place the balls a few at a time. But I want to point out that when playing 10 ball or 15 ball pool games all the balls may be placed into position at one time. When they are close to the correct location the entire rack will shift into place as a solid unit.

I don't place the balls one at a time playing 10 ball or 8 ball or straight pool. The fastest way to do it is push them all up at once, either by hand in a triangle shape or using a regular rack to guide them into position and let them all settle together. This will give you a consistently frozen rack in two or three seconds with a little bit of practice.

 

[Vahmurka]

We will have a few samples of our newer version available soon if anyone is interested.

David, Rack M Rite template was a clever invention! Curious to see a new version released.

I think we go in the right direction with these RACKING SYSTEMS.
1. The one with your small rings on the table which stay there.
2. The one with making DIMPLES in the cloth with the template (TAPPING)
3. And the new templates, which will be removed after the break if possible (MBR - Magic Ball Rack)

I could only hope we won't be using all three simultaneously in future :grin-square:

 

[Ktown D]

I first saw the plastic rings used in China about 5 years ago. Pan Xiao Ting had them on her practice table and said they had come from Japan.

Seemed to really work well and give consistently good and tight racks.

I knew if I read this thread carefully that i would get to the bottom of this. Xiaoting Pan has a nice tight rack......got it.

Oh yeah, those little plastic circle thingies look cool, I'll probably have to buy some of those too.

 

[scottyr44]

This is a common flawed argument people make about tables that have dimples, or rolls, or some other problem.
"Well as long as you hit 'em firm, you'll be fine"

On almost every shot you make, whether it's 8 ball, 9 ball, or straight pool, there is a certain ball that rolls slowly. In fact it rolls to a dead stop eventually.

If you threading needles your doing it wrong!!!

 

[David_Smith]

David, Rack M Rite template was a clever invention! Curious to see a new version released.
...

Thanks! All we did was make a thinner more flexible version. Here's the other thread I started with a picture.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=175878

I racked balls in a pool room growing up since I was 8 years old. My family may have owned the last pool room in the US that charged per game and racked every table for every game.