Outlining Rack
- Thread starter slach
- Start date
Use a sharpie
I use a black sharpie myself. I don't think pencil would last more that a couple of days. I even have the line for the kitchen marked on my table. It has no negative effect for me.
Kevin
I use a black sharpie myself. I don't think pencil would last more that a couple of days. I even have the line for the kitchen marked on my table. It has no negative effect for me.
Kevin
Pencil will wear off in time, which is OK. Something even less permanent is a tailor/sewing chalk pencil which you can get at a sewing/crafts store. It is also useful for marking ball positions during practice.slach said:
I have used both pencil and medium Sharpie.
The pencil is less noticeable, and does wear over time (the re-tracing is a bit tedious; you must be careful not to make double lines; only needs done once or twice a year). I have had people play on the table for an hour, then say, "oh, I didn't notice the rack was outlined).
The medium sharpie did a nice job; overall I think I prefer it.
You must also draw a line from the foot spot to the foot rail (center diamond) to be used for spotting balls. That line is better with pencil.
A professional friend prefers putting it all on with sharpie (including the spot-up line, which he extends the entire length of the table); and also puts a dot at the intersection of every diamond to help with setting up balls for drills. Table looks weird; but is great for practice.
The pencil is less noticeable, and does wear over time (the re-tracing is a bit tedious; you must be careful not to make double lines; only needs done once or twice a year). I have had people play on the table for an hour, then say, "oh, I didn't notice the rack was outlined).
The medium sharpie did a nice job; overall I think I prefer it.
You must also draw a line from the foot spot to the foot rail (center diamond) to be used for spotting balls. That line is better with pencil.
A professional friend prefers putting it all on with sharpie (including the spot-up line, which he extends the entire length of the table); and also puts a dot at the intersection of every diamond to help with setting up balls for drills. Table looks weird; but is great for practice.
Yeah, I don't have a table but if I did it would have the rack, the spot line, and the head and center spots marked. I would extend that spot line from the spot to about 6 inches past the outline of the rack though. I wouldn't take it all the way to the rail. I mean c'mon, how often do you see balls spotted all the way down to the rail, and even if there are you have the other balls to judge where it should go.
I've marked just about every table at the pool hall. I use a pencil there and it holds up fairly well. I don't think a home table takes as much abuse as a table in a pool room so pencil will work just fine. I would use a ball point pen on my own table though. I like the idea of a sharpie but ink from a marker has the potential of bleeding into the cloth if you go too slow or have to stop. Not to mention where the line comes together.
Oh yeah, once you mark it don't change the rack unless you buy the exact same one.
MULLY
I've marked just about every table at the pool hall. I use a pencil there and it holds up fairly well. I don't think a home table takes as much abuse as a table in a pool room so pencil will work just fine. I would use a ball point pen on my own table though. I like the idea of a sharpie but ink from a marker has the potential of bleeding into the cloth if you go too slow or have to stop. Not to mention where the line comes together.
Oh yeah, once you mark it don't change the rack unless you buy the exact same one.
MULLY
Blackjack said:
Me too. Along with a line running lengthwise through the middle of the rack, extending a few inches beyond the bottom of the rack. Oh, and the headstring, and a little mark across the headstring line where the head-spot is. Geez. Do I have enough lines here?
I also have a little cross in the dead center of the table per the recommendation of an old-time straight pool player who said that's what they used to do. It's actually really nice to have a quick visual reference to where the middle of the table is since, so often, the middle of the table, or thereabouts, is where you want to get.
It's also required for certain spotting situations. I think I've seen a ball spotted there two or three times.Jimmy M. said:
I think it was at one US Open that Irving Crane played for a head-spot break shot. There was no spot marked, and when they did mark it, they got it in the wrong place.
Bob Jewett said:
Bob, I'm taking a shot in the dark here, but isn't one of the ways a ball gets spotted in the center is if the 15th ball is in the rack area and the cue ball is on or blocking the head spot?
Also, what is the rule for if the 15th ball is already on the foot spot? Does it go to the head or is it racked with the other balls?
MULLY
A ball interferes with the rack if it overlaps any part of the outlined area.mullyman said:
Caromsoft said:
Well, I didn't want to tell you that I had a cross drawn in my toilet also, but now that the secret is out of the bag ...
Jimmy M. said:Well, I didn't want to tell you that I had a cross drawn in my toilet also, but now that the secret is out of the bag ...
You know, I have a pretty warped sense of humor and imagining a "bombing mission" almost made me spit a mouth full of water all over my keyboard. Thanks for that. HAHA!!!!
MULLY
mullyman said:
try putting a line from the spot just one balls length more than a 9ball rack that is even with the center diamond on the bottom rail. that will keep all those guys that like to tilt the rack with no excuse! i personally dont like the outline of the rack because of , like you said, all the different size racks. we just use a black pen, it works for us.
I use a pencil (lasts a long time) but only mark the foot/head strings and spotting lines on both ends of the table. I have drop pockets so I like to alternate ends for racking to even out the wear and tear. I also put a small X in the middle of the table just for reference (never use it for anything formal).
I outlined the rack once and didn't like that much stuff on the table. Simpler is gooder.
pj
chgo
I outlined the rack once and didn't like that much stuff on the table. Simpler is gooder.
pj
chgo