New Rack and Rules for US Open

[9 Ball Girl]

Got this in my mail today (I couldn't post the links 'cause AZB was acting goofy):

The Club Rack, a new traditional triangle wood rack, is now the Official Ball Rack of the U. S. Open 9-Ball Championships. The Club Rack features solid Ash wood construction and is professionally handcrafted for extreme durability and precision by Diamond Billiard Products, the maker of the Diamond pool tables.

For the past several years, there has been much debate regarding the use of a mechanical rack at the U. S. Open 9-Ball. Promoter Barry Behrman believes The Club Rack will be a favorite with the players, as well as the fans.

"The U. S. Open is built on quality and tradition, which are the same features we want in the equipment used during the tournament," says Behrman. "The best players deserve the best equipment. We have Diamond tables, Simonis cloth, Aramith balls, and now The Club Rack. It's a simple piece of equipment, but it's extremely precise in what it does for the game. Besides, it really looks good, it feels good and it will add a dynamic element back to the tournament that we've been missing for years, the sound of the balls throughout the tournament room being racked in a wood rack. It's pool like it ought to be."

The Club Rack brings with it rule changes for the event. Players will now rack their own and break from anywhere behind the head string, instead of the break box. The 9-Ball will no longer be racked on the spot, as it has been for the past several years due to the predictability of the break shot. Now, the 1-Ball will be racked on the spot as indicated by the traditional rules of play.

The Club Rack is larger than any other standard triangle on the market today. The interior length of each side is a full 12 inches, allowing more space between the end row of balls and the inside back of the rack. This extra space makes removal much easier. The Club Rack also comes with alignment notches on the back end to ensure perfect position on the table each and every time. The precise design and construction of The Club Rack leaves the balls firm and fixed.

A limited supply of Club Racks will be available at the U. S. Open 9-Ball. The Club Rack comes in three finish colors. For more information visit, TheClubRack.com.

See the new Club Rack live online during the U. S. Open 9-Ball Championship.

 

[worriedbeef]

am i mistaken or is the sardo rack a sponsor of the us open?

or are they just sponsoring billiard club network...

doubt they'll be too pleased lol

 

[9 Ball Girl]

am i mistaken or is the sardo rack a sponsor of the us open?

or are they just sponsoring billiard club network...

doubt they'll be too pleased lol

The Sardo rack is not being used at the Open this year. Billiard Club Network is always involved with the Open so having them there is not new.

I can't believe I'm missing the Open this year.

 

[AuntyDan]

The Sardo rack is not being used at the Open this year. Billiard Club Network is always involved with the Open so having them there is not new.

I can't believe I'm missing the Open this year.

Hey I've missed it every single year so far, so don't feel too bad! The closest I got was that one time a few years ago when they had that cable PPV showing of the finals.

As for the rack/break setup, this is not new rules and equipment, it's simply a return to the standard Pro 9 Ball rules and equipment used almost everywhere except in tournaments sponsored by Sardo. The WPBA did this last year with very little fuss when Brunswick became the office rack sponsor.

 

[Cameron Smith]

I wonder if the change of racking the 1 ball on the spot and eliminating the break box has anything to do with players not making balls on the break?

Wouldn't racking your own rack open the door for "rack doctors"?

 

[gulfportdoc]

The Club Rack

I think returning to a good solid, well-made hardwood rack is a good move. I've never seen "The Club Rack", but it sounds like the real McCoy. Anyone know a manufacturer's website that features it? I agree with the text that refers to the good ole sound of the balls being racked with a wooden triangle. That sound, and the break shot sound will get any player's juices flowing... If the balls aren't worn, and the cloth & spot are in good shape, an oversized solid wood rack will get 'em all tight every time.

As far as doctoring the balls while racking, there's going to be a lot less of that when a guy racks his own. He's going to want to get them as tight as possible so he gets a better spread on the snap. And one thing that it'll thankfully reduce: arguments started by the breaker in attempts to "put a move on", and nit-pick his opponent!

Doc
(hates plastic racks)

 

[Scottster]

I
As far as doctoring the balls while racking, there's going to be a lot less of that when a guy racks his own. He's going to want to get them as tight as possible so he gets a better spread on the snap.
Doc
(hates plastic racks)

I too am glad to see the traditional rack coming back. However, it will not end the controversy of the 9-ball rack.

Tight rack = corner ball.

The only way to end it is to add the "Blue & White" ball.

 

[9 Ball Girl]

Hey Gulfport, here is the link that I couldn't post up before. Hope it helps, though it takes you to the BCN site:

http://www.theclubrack.com

 

[RSB-Refugee]

I've never seen "The Club Rack", but it sounds like the real McCoy. Anyone know a manufacturer's website that features it?

It's made by Diamond. I wonder if it is their standard rack, or a new model.

Doc
(hates plastic racks)

I think you are in the majority, on this one.

Tracy

 

[gulfportdoc]

Hey Gulfport, here is the link that I couldn't post up before. Hope it helps, though it takes you to the BCN site:

http://www.theclubrack.com

Thanks, Wendy. I checked it out. I'll be anxious to see one first hand, since it does look similar to the traditional Diamond rack. Those are good, although the wood feels soft to my feel during racking-- almost like hitting the cueball with a soft tip. The ash wood may change that perception.

And Tracy, it feels peculiar for me to be in the majority on anything

Doc

 

[Al-fahl Amir]

Corey was very sad to hear that the U.S. Open will be rack your own this year.

 

[Purdman]

Corey was very sad to hear that the U.S. Open will be rack your own this year.

I don't see how he can rack with your nose planted so deep in his ass!
J/K Purdman

Somebody had to say it! See ya there Al. It's been one of those days buddy!!

 

[uwate]

I havent seen these new Diamond wooden racks but I have played with another type of Diamond wooden rack. They have them at Hollywood Billiards in south florida. Honestly I hate them. They do not rack the balls tight. When I am racking with those racks, I find myself turning and flipping the rack quite a few times. On some of the racks, it seems only one side and one specific way racks em tight.

 

[unknownpro]

I havent seen these new Diamond wooden racks but I have played with another type of Diamond wooden rack. They have them at Hollywood Billiards in south florida. Honestly I hate them. They do not rack the balls tight. When I am racking with those racks, I find myself turning and flipping the rack quite a few times. On some of the racks, it seems only one side and one specific way racks em tight.

A rack cannot make the balls stay frozed after you pick it up. You're lucky if it will freeze them at all. The only way I know of to make them stay frozen is to train the table and don't use a spot. It will be interesting what happens at the open. All the players know now what's going on with the rack where they didn't before tapped racks and Sardo. Anybody know of any high run records at the open?

unknownpro

 

[RSB-Refugee]

I havent seen these new Diamond wooden racks but I have played with another type of Diamond wooden rack. They have them at Hollywood Billiards in south florida. Honestly I hate them. They do not rack the balls tight. When I am racking with those racks, I find myself turning and flipping the rack quite a few times. On some of the racks, it seems only one side and one specific way racks em tight.

Theoretically, every rack should have three, sixty degree angles. In reality, very few of them do. At the VFW, where I play a lot, I found the corner which worked best in the front. I marked the corner with a pecil, then I took it home and inlayed a 3/8" diameter, white dot. I sanded it, not on the inside though, then finished it with polyurethane. It worked great, untill someone smashed it. I tried to glue it up, but it would not cooperate. We have a semi-acceptable spare in place now, untill I can afford a good replacement. I'll probably do the inlay trick on the new one, unless it is one of the rare, perfect racks. By the way, which of the racks from Diamond works best? I mean which type of wood, oak rosewood etc...

Tracy