We were playing small local tourney and one of the players asked his opponent if they minded using the magic rack. He made it available to to his opponent. It was a rack your own tourney. The rest of us playing on other tables were using regular racks. One player said he shouldn't be allowed to use the rack. My opinion is it was OK since he made it available to his opponent. My thought is it just gives you a tight rack that can be hard on some tables and that there is no advantage to using it other than having a tight rack. I can see as we have low ranked players in the tourney that they may feel uncomfortable with something new. Not knowing when it can be moved after the break. Maybe for whatever reason it can't be moved after the break and the opponent may have to shoot with this rack still on the table and not feel comfortable. Would it be like asking to switch the cue ball?
Magic rack
- Thread starter jburkm002
- Start date
M.Tpockets
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I don't see a problem with it as long as both party's agree . If your opponent didn't want to use it then I think you shouldn't force it on them unless every one is using them.
Yes, it works on any table. They are pretty good. Tight rack every time. Johnnyt
I haven't seen a Magic Rack used for close to a year during practice or
at Tournaments in the Sacramento area. They were a hot item for a couple
years, then just faded into oblivion. I actually liked them, especially on
crappy bar tables, to achieve a tight rack every time. However, they were a
pain-in-the-ass to carry around and keep track of.
at Tournaments in the Sacramento area. They were a hot item for a couple
years, then just faded into oblivion. I actually liked them, especially on
crappy bar tables, to achieve a tight rack every time. However, they were a
pain-in-the-ass to carry around and keep track of.
What was the tournament director's opinion? If I was running a tournament, its my goal to see everyone has access to the same equipment, and not have it perceived as an unfair advantage. Unless the player was willing to offer it to everyone in the tournament, then I would have to say no.
To me, if the back row of the rack is straight to the table, I don't care who racks and especially if the breaker racks their own, at least they are not looking at me when something don't come off the table for them. The MR are cool as I've shot plenty of practice games with them and never took them off the table. If both players agree, I don't think anyone in the tournament should worry. I'm sure if the person who had the MR was told by the other player he didn't want to use it, he would have agreed.
She didn't see a problem with it since it was offered to the opponent to use as well. Guess I am looking to see if there is any advantage other than a tight rack. What if the opponent didn't want to use it on their turn to rack? Should a player be able to use a magic rack whether their opponent agrees or not. I believe it was invented mainly because of issues with tables and trying to get a tight rack. I just don't look at it as cheating in any way. Player just wants a tight rack which can be very hard to achieve on some tables. Heck its almost impossible on some tables. Its not just the head spot. Some racks just suck.
I'm guilty of switching CBs and you'll have to catch me doing it. Most of the time no one notices except a good player and they ain't telling. As far as the MR goes .... It's a great rack and it doesn't bother me if someone moves it after the break. I don't care if they move a ball with it. I usually don't move it until I have to shoot across it and if it's something I'm going to hit firm I might not bother it. I'm not a rack nit by any means.
I can tell you this though.... If I'm at a tournament that's using the triangle I don't bother asking about the MR even though I've always got it in my bag
As long as the balls are all the same size and are not too much out of the standard ball size, magic rack will work on any table size. The issue is the balls, not the table. If there is too much difference in sizes, the won't freeze, you need to try to use a regular rack, or create your own template with different cut out distances.
If both players agree,or even if the opponent agrees that one guy can use it, should be fine, unless it's against tournament rules.
The only issue with the magic rack is if you allow breaking from the side, the wing ball is almost 100% wired. I played a few sets last night with one, made the wing ball most of my breaks, the two times I did not was when the rack had gaps in it (the guy did not nudge the balls tight after racking with the magic rack).
Every tournament that I played in that allowed the magic rack had a break from the box rule as well.
Anyone that would call using a magic rack, or any rack like that, cheating would be the same type that would call playing a safety on purpose cheating.
Just my opinion but wouldn't the MR have been useful at the 9 ball open.
Some of the racking took way to long. I don't think with the pro's ability the difference
in breaks would be that great. Only saw one apparent "bad" rack in the finals when
Lee Vann either miss hit or slugged himself.
Some of the racking took way to long. I don't think with the pro's ability the difference
in breaks would be that great. Only saw one apparent "bad" rack in the finals when
Lee Vann either miss hit or slugged himself.
Tournaments usually don't specify what rack to use, it's assumed you'll use whatever is lying around.
That can vary wildly like one table has plastic and the other has a busted wooden rack.
I don't think it's a problem unless it's explicitly banned by the tournament.
At the same time, it does change the game so I would not force it on anyone...
if my opponent refused, I wouldn't argue with them.
Just as you never take someone else's proposition bet, it's natural to be wary if someone else
suggests a change in equipment. There are people who have spent hours practicing the magic rack
soft break. They may demolish someone who has never worked with it.
That can vary wildly like one table has plastic and the other has a busted wooden rack.
I don't think it's a problem unless it's explicitly banned by the tournament.
At the same time, it does change the game so I would not force it on anyone...
if my opponent refused, I wouldn't argue with them.
Just as you never take someone else's proposition bet, it's natural to be wary if someone else
suggests a change in equipment. There are people who have spent hours practicing the magic rack
soft break. They may demolish someone who has never worked with it.
If both players are ok with using it then use it. They do not damage the table. Tell people not involved with your game to mind there own business