Rack experts, what are they doing?

[TwoRailDave]

I haven't seen this lately, but while watching some older vidoes, I see SVB and others racking the balls, then tapping the head ball with the triangle and sometimes wiping the head ball with their finger. Are they just trying to get everything frozen, or are they possibly manipulating the rack to their advantage? I know people sometimes tap the balls with another ball to supposedly just dent the cloth a little bit and help things settle, but it seems to me that it should be done while in the rack if at all. One time I heard some pros discussing rack mechanics and how huge of an advantage it is if you know how to manipulate the rack. I was glad to hear rules a while ago about not being allowed to do this anymore, but I'd like to know if this is a move if I come across it.

 

[erhino41]

Doodaddin' the rack. They'll claim they're trying to refreeze the head ball, but they are really making advantageous gaps.

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[erhino41]

If your opponent is racking for you and he's touching the one ball after the rack is off, you should inspect the rack and see where he's putting the gaps, they'll be there.

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[Bob Jewett]

... One time I heard some pros discussing rack mechanics and how huge of an advantage it is if you know how to manipulate the rack. I was glad to hear rules a while ago about not being allowed to do this anymore, but I'd like to know if this is a move if I come across it.

There's been a lot of discussion about rack manipulation on AZB over the last several years. Dr. Dave just posted a couple of videos on YouTube about it.

 

[Ģüśţāṿ]

I'll say that most of the time (some do try to manipulate the rack), they are just trying to freeze the head ball. The spot on many tables just isn't great (especially bar tables) and the head ball tends to roll off more than others. Tapping it with the rack can help it freeze, which leads to better, more consistent breaks. A loose head ball will make the break much less predictable.

 

[gregcantrall]

From experience at the White Spot. Tables used for 9 ball, A Lot get a set that tends to open between the two balls behind the head ball. Home table advantage can lead to large packages. Kim that gave me $200 spotting me (on my table) caught me after my good finish and convinced me I should give him the 8 ball. On his home table at The White Spot. 8 or 9 racks later I got a shot. Missed and paid the $100. Oh well.

 

[SBC]

I'll say that most of the time (some do try to manipulate the rack), they are just trying to freeze the head ball. The spot on many tables just isn't great (especially bar tables) and the head ball tends to roll off more than others. Tapping it with the rack can help it freeze, which leads to better, more consistent breaks. A loose head ball will make the break much less predictable.

I'd pretty much agree with this.
Spinning the one ball towards the rack gets in to seat against the other balls at times.

There's guys who say they can do this or that to engineer a rack...maybe, but if they aren't practicing the break hours a week it's not going for lead to a significant advantage.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... There's guys who say they can do this or that to engineer a rack...maybe, but if they aren't practicing the break hours a week it's not going for lead to a significant advantage.

At one US Open there was an obvious pattern racker. Pattern racking had been flagged as not permitted in the players meeting. His opponent didn't object because the guy couldn't make a ball on the break. I guess he should have been putting up an anti-pattern.

 

[Buckzapper]

To believe that pros pattern rack, is to believe you really have a chance beating them in a race to 9 or 11.

 

[ctyhntr]

At one US Open there was an obvious pattern racker. Pattern racking had been flagged as not permitted in the players meeting. His opponent didn't object because the guy couldn't make a ball on the break. I guess he should have been putting up an anti-pattern.

To address these complaints, last year's Matchroom US Open had neutral rackers on every table. Scorekeepers, had no referee duties, just scorekeep and rack the balls. As more money grows in these tournaments, I think neutral rackers more common place.

 

[JazzyJeff87]

If someone keeps rubbing at the 1 ball then looking at the rack and rubbing at it again they’re likely trying to make a gap, and definitely are if they’re using a template. If it’s ten ball or 8B, a tiny gap between the second two balls will dictate their path to the side pockets. Supposedly.

 

[SBC]

At one US Open there was an obvious pattern racker. Pattern racking had been flagged as not permitted in the players meeting. His opponent didn't object because the guy couldn't make a ball on the break. I guess he should have been putting up an anti-pattern.

If you have a few patterns...moving the inconsequential balls, few are even going to see it.

Just put the balls in a bucket and dump them, play pool.