In a gambling session we decided to rack our own balls playing 9-ball. My opponent got upset because I was racking the 2 in the back every time I broke, was using a cut break and making the wing ball or the 1 in the side consistently and getting shape on the 2. He tried doing the same but he didn't know how to hit the break the right way on that table. Just to stop a headache I stopped putting the 2 in the back. If you are racking your own, can you rack them in any order you want, since your opponent can do it to you if loser racks? Ive never had this situation come up before.
Rack Your Own, 2 in the Back
- Thread starter cuetechasaurus
- Start date
All rules I know of say the bals must be racked random with exception to the 1 and the 9.
If we matched up, I'd call you on it too...
If we matched up, I'd call you on it too...
Interesting.
I recall watching players at last year's UPA Tour Championship rack their own. Aside from the 1 on the spot and the 9-ball in the center, the only requirement of the rack was that the 2-ball was in the rear!
Not sure what the logic behind it was, but it looks like you got yourself a professional rack there. If the pros do it I guess you can too.
S.
I recall watching players at last year's UPA Tour Championship rack their own. Aside from the 1 on the spot and the 9-ball in the center, the only requirement of the rack was that the 2-ball was in the rear!
Not sure what the logic behind it was, but it looks like you got yourself a professional rack there. If the pros do it I guess you can too.
S.
i've watched a match on ESPN where i think it was Corey Deuel didnt get enough balls past the side pockets and was called on a foul....
And in response to your question, I've always played that it's rackers choice for position of balls, but i never mess with it. I just break and unleash the fury.....
And in response to your question, I've always played that it's rackers choice for position of balls, but i never mess with it. I just break and unleash the fury.....
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CaptiveBred said:
yep, IMO 9 ball should be random racking except for spot balls. Tournaments should not require certain ball placement other than 1 and 9, To place them a certain way is IMO tampering with the rack, whether done by opponent or you. I know it goes on all the time, but I don't think that is how it should be done. If breaking has gotten to that point it is time for another game. Play 10 ball, one pocket, straight pool, whatever.
I have posted before that I think in big tournamnets a random number generator should be used to dictate the placement of the balls in each game. A race to 11 would have 21 randomly generated patterns for the 7 randomly placed balls. You don't know ahead of time which player will get which racks, so it is completely fair and nobody can whine. This is too much hassle for little events or gambling I know, but would solve the problem.
Personally, if your doing a Rack your own situation while gambling, then why should i care where you place the 2 ball.
If i am racking, i normally switch between the 2-3-4 balls when placing them in the back. That way if someone makes the one or two of them balls on the break it uses the same effect.
Now obviously if i was playing rack my own, i would put the 8ball or the 7ball in the back every time.
dave
If i am racking, i normally switch between the 2-3-4 balls when placing them in the back. That way if someone makes the one or two of them balls on the break it uses the same effect.
Now obviously if i was playing rack my own, i would put the 8ball or the 7ball in the back every time.
dave
Louis Ulrich
New member
All things being equal it should not matter where the 2 ball is racked, as long as it is consistent for both players. Now, if you are playing rack your own and your opponent is racking the 2 by the 1 and you are racking the 2 below the wing balls, then your putting yourself at disadvantage. It's your own fault and there should be no bicth.
The UPA has a great rule about forcing the 2 ball to be placed at the back of the rack. It is going to be equal for both players and there is really no way to predict where it is going to end up after the break.
An easy fix for when you are matching up is to designate how you are going to rack the balls before you start your session.
The UPA has a great rule about forcing the 2 ball to be placed at the back of the rack. It is going to be equal for both players and there is really no way to predict where it is going to end up after the break.
An easy fix for when you are matching up is to designate how you are going to rack the balls before you start your session.
Maybe I break the balls differently, but for the longest time I've known that the if the 1ball doesn't go in the side pocket, it usually stops behind the headstring. If a ball is racked frozen in the back, it usually winds up in center table or behind the headstring also. I was also under the impression that in pro events the 8 ball is racked in the back. That's very strange.
Louis Ulrich said:
All things being equal it should not matter where the 3ball is racked, as long as it is consistent for both players.
All things being equal it should not matter where the 4 ball is racked, as long as it is consistent for both players.
It absolutely matters where the balls are racked. Nick Varner taught me how to rack in a 5 minute conversation/lesson that has made me alot of $$$. He did a study breaking over 1000 racks, and charted the results.
There are sequences for which side of the table your opponent breaks from, how hard they break, and if the wing/1 ball is going. I studied this for about a year while playing predominantly 9ball, because of how important the break is. I've also taught much better players than myself how to break, how to arrange the balls, and how to adjust.....If you don't watch, or care where and how the balls are racked, you are giving away an advantage.
Obviously, I am not talking about slug racking, or anything like that to gain an advantage.
Gerry
There are sequences for which side of the table your opponent breaks from, how hard they break, and if the wing/1 ball is going. I studied this for about a year while playing predominantly 9ball, because of how important the break is. I've also taught much better players than myself how to break, how to arrange the balls, and how to adjust.....If you don't watch, or care where and how the balls are racked, you are giving away an advantage.
Obviously, I am not talking about slug racking, or anything like that to gain an advantage.
Gerry
S
Scottster
Guest
Gerry is absolutely correct.
Rack the balls in this order: (the side breaking from does have an affect but not going to discuss that now).
1
8 3
4 9 6
2 7
5
Break this pattern 10 times and notice the consistant distance between the 8 and the 7 and the 2 and the 3. It generally ends up being a pretty difficult runout.
Now, if you rack in this order:
1
2 3
4 9 6
7 8
5
And break this rack 10 times you will notice that most of the time you will have your clusters in close numerical order. (2 3, & 7 8) at same area of the table.
I would also like to add that JPB has a great idea with a rack generator.
A person that knows how to rack in his benefit, especially when gambling, does have an advantage, regardless if it is rack your own or not.
Rack the balls in this order: (the side breaking from does have an affect but not going to discuss that now).
1
8 3
4 9 6
2 7
5
Break this pattern 10 times and notice the consistant distance between the 8 and the 7 and the 2 and the 3. It generally ends up being a pretty difficult runout.
Now, if you rack in this order:
1
2 3
4 9 6
7 8
5
And break this rack 10 times you will notice that most of the time you will have your clusters in close numerical order. (2 3, & 7 8) at same area of the table.
I would also like to add that JPB has a great idea with a rack generator.
A person that knows how to rack in his benefit, especially when gambling, does have an advantage, regardless if it is rack your own or not.