Should you be able to insist at a tournament or league play on using a magic rack vs a triangle rack? Are there rules addressing this issue ? Amateurs racking with a wood or plastic rack are inconsistent at best.
Racking rules
- Thread starter Valiant Thor
- Start date
No you can't insist, up to the tournament or league director. Many places are fine with using template racks but if they say no, make your case about poor racks and try to change their minds. If they say it's OK to use, your opponent can't stop you from using it, but he would also be allowed to use it as well if he/she wants to.
Tournament directors usually stipulate what the rules for racking are and what kind of racks will be used before the tournament starts, which then applies for all players in all matches. That is generally NOT negotiable, unless a majority of players can manage to successfully plead with the TD to do it differently - not likely.
However, you always have the right to inspect the racking job your opponent has done for you, and you should have the right to request him to re-rack if it is not tight - within reason, as many tables/racks make it virtually impossible to get an absolutely tight rack.
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In league play i would expect to get some push back on template racks, especially from lower handicap players. There is a large contingent of inexperienced players who understand that a sloppy rack works in their favor. I would assume that, in most leagues, even though templates may be allowed, the default is probably in favor of the equipment supplied at the hosting venue.