Sick of watching players examining racks?

P

pamgifford

New member
I have a solution for the ludicrous practice of checking the racks and spending all day re-racking the balls, it's simple , first some preliminary logic:
1. Because of the laws of physics, no rack can ever be perfect.
2. It doesn't matter if no rack is perfect as long as the player breaking is not allowed to check the rack, (has to stay behind the breaker's headstring) the player can therefore gain no advantage due to an imperfect rack of balls.
3.Hire a designated racker for every tournament ( reduces unemployment rate as a side benefit.:grin-square:
 
Why not have a tournament requirement for players who aren't knocked out, to rack for others when they're not playing?

I see this done in other sports. When I used to participate in shooting matches, I took turns pulling and scoring targets. Same in auto-crossing, if I'm not driving then I'm out on the track resetting cones.
 
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ctyhntr said:
Why not have a tournament requirement for players who aren't knocked out, to rack for others when they're not playing?

I see this done in other sports. When I used to participate in shooting matches, I took turns pulling and scoring targets. Same in auto-crossing, if I'm not driving then I'm out on the track resetting cones.
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Why not have a tournament requirement for players who aren't knocked out, to rack for others when they're not playing?

I don't think this would be enforceable .
 
david(tx) said:

Why not have a tournament requirement for players who aren't knocked out, to rack for others when they're not playing?

I don't think this would be enforceable .
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Sure it would, if you haven't played yet, be available to rack. Makes the matches faster, too!

If not available to rack, forfeit your next game.
 
Why won't it be enforceable? Just takes a TD to be firm. It can be implemented in a double elimination tournament. People that get the first round byes rack or referee. Same for the rest after the first elimination, which usually a wait from the no-loss side.

When I was into high powered shooting it was mandatory to work the field. If I wasn't in front of the range shooting, then I was at the back pulling targets and scoring. Later, when I joined SCAA it was mandatory to work the track for auto-crossing and road rallying.

david(tx) said:

Why not have a tournament requirement for players who aren't knocked out, to rack for others when they're not playing?

I don't think this would be enforceable .
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the players already are underpaid, now ask them to rack for free?

I prefer hiring a designated racker....
 
michael4 said:
the players already are underpaid, now ask them to rack for free?

I prefer hiring a designated racker....
Click to expand...

Most people play tournaments for entertainment and are dead money and they know it, and without them pro level players would really be underpaid , and now you want me to work for free in a venue where i pay 9 prices for a drink? The idea that players aren't going to complain about a rack because of a neutral racker is wrong too .

I can't speak for others but i'm kicking back between matches and socializing , it is recreation , not a job.
 
As long as there is no pool organization in the U.S. nothing will ever change for the better. Same promoters and industry leaders have pool by the nuts for years. They are all getting old. Now is the time for pool to get some young smart leaders and take pool into the modern day.

Just like PPV. Been around pool a dozen years, yet it can't get enough sponsors make it affordable to all. Each year the price goes up or you get less for your money.

Rack cheating is at every U.S tournament that doesn't have a ref racking.

9 ball is a joke for pros. Want to prove whose best, play 15 or 10 ball rotation. Even 14.1 would be better that luck-ball. END RANT. Johnnyt
 
pamgifford said:
I have a solution for the ludicrous practice of checking the racks and spending all day re-racking the balls, it's simple , first some preliminary logic:
1. Because of the laws of physics, no rack can ever be perfect.
2. It doesn't matter if no rack is perfect as long as the player breaking is not allowed to check the rack, (has to stay behind the breaker's headstring) the player can therefore gain no advantage due to an imperfect rack of balls.
3.Hire a designated racker for every tournament ( reduces unemployment rate as a side benefit.:grin-square:
Click to expand...

1. Perfection isn't the goal. Adequate is. Certain gaps don't seem to matter too much, while other gaps are critical. Racking is a skill that etiquette dictates should be learned, but most people don't bother. That is why rack your own is preferable. Learn how to do it, or get crappy breaks. Up to the player. No one's lack of skill in this area hurts anyone but themselves.

2. Sure this makes sense.

3. Who pays the racker? And better make that rackers. One guy is gonna run around the pool room to every table that needs the balls racked? Is the money coming out of the prize fund? Who is going to like that?


ctyhntr said:
Why not have a tournament requirement for players who aren't knocked out, to rack for others when they're not playing?

I see this done in other sports. When I used to participate in shooting matches, I took turns pulling and scoring targets. Same in auto-crossing, if I'm not driving then I'm out on the track resetting cones.
Click to expand...

This is hardly neutral racking. Suppose the player required to rack for a particular match prefers for whatever reason that one player win. Also, the players that do well through the long grind of a tournament are often the ones the exhibit good personal management. Eating at appropriate times, relaxing effectively, hitting balls when needed to keep loose, etc. Some people like to go outside, get some fresh air, go for a walk, etc. It simply isn't realistic to take this ability away from a tournament player.

KMRUNOUT
 
Why is it any different looking at the rack then taking time to looking at any shot? The break can make you or break you in rotation. No rack with a magic rack of some sort will be perfect but looking at the gaps and figuring out the best way to break that particular rack takes host knowledge and skill.
 
Maybe the camera could focus on another table during the rack inspection. Or to solve the live view problem, a curtain could drop from the ceiling or be rolled out to allow a private viewing of the rack.
 
Rack you own and inspect

I understand your angst but in the rack is a huge determining factor. The best is rack your own and have the opponent inspect. If you like the rack you just racked your opponent should have the right to check it for gaps that make shots go.

If the opponent doesn't want to then he accepts his fate with no argument allowed. Too many accidental loose spots racked by a third party or disinterested party can be game changers.

Before we knew this was a huge deal there wasn't so much of a problem but really it is and will always be.

The age of innocence is gone, so accept it is all we can do.

pamgifford said:
I have a solution for the ludicrous practice of checking the racks and spending all day re-racking the balls, it's simple , first some preliminary logic:
1. Because of the laws of physics, no rack can ever be perfect.
2. It doesn't matter if no rack is perfect as long as the player breaking is not allowed to check the rack, (has to stay behind the breaker's headstring) the player can therefore gain no advantage due to an imperfect rack of balls.
3.Hire a designated racker for every tournament ( reduces unemployment rate as a side benefit.:grin-square:
Click to expand...
 
I can't tell you how many racks I've examined. But having said that, I find it quite annoying when during a serious game of One Pocket my opponent gets up from a shot to watch a bosomy woman walk by. Very disruptive.
Still, I suppose I'm just as guilty as the next guy when it comes to a good looking rack. I have to examine them, too. :smile:
 
Neutral rack, end of story . Use wooden rack like Matchroom events such as WCOP

No rack your own or rack opponents
Players should not be allowed to touch any balls except their " own balls" or CB when they break or when it is BIH
In bowling , players never manually setup pins so same thing should apply in pool:)
 
trob said:
No rack with a magic rack of some sort will be perfect but looking at the gaps and figuring out the best way to break that particular rack takes host knowledge and skill.
Click to expand...

Being able to walk up to any rack, break them and still win the game takes skill that any good player should be able to do.

If the skill needed to win a match comes down to reading a rack so it can be broke right, then maybe there is a need to work on another part of the game to improve.

I would agree with the first posters 2nd suggestion. Balls get racked and the breaker stays at the head of the table and does not get to read the rack.
 
pamgifford said:
I have a solution for the ludicrous practice of checking the racks and spending all day re-racking the balls, it's simple , first some preliminary logic:
1. Because of the laws of physics, no rack can ever be perfect.
2. It doesn't matter if no rack is perfect as long as the player breaking is not allowed to check the rack, (has to stay behind the breaker's headstring) the player can therefore gain no advantage due to an imperfect rack of balls.
3.Hire a designated racker for every tournament ( reduces unemployment rate as a side benefit.:grin-square:
Click to expand...

This is a great and Unrealistic idea $$$$$$....but looked at from another point of view it could happen....here's a suggestion.
Within each league there are beginners, enthusiastic, engaging and enjoying the game, but the environment & ones perception of the game eventually plays out as the game takes a seat and the BS starts taking front stage as it ALWAYS has for decades...samo/samo.

As their playing years pass and they get better, if still around they soon realize, they too are caught up in the same loop as the Complainers.

Have beginning League players, newbies learn to rack, and get involved, that might work. They'd be around good players and learn allot from their experiences.

In tennis, guess who are the ''ball boys/girls'' the new up and coming players, chosen by their peers or??? But bringing in new players to be involved, works. I think all the greats were ball boys/girls at one time.
 
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ODD....???

Europe barely checked the rack...They WON

USA ...Mike (way too LONG) and Shane checked it every time....They LOST
 
pamgifford said:
I have a solution for the ludicrous practice of checking the racks and spending all day re-racking the balls, it's simple , first some preliminary logic:
1. Because of the laws of physics, no rack can ever be perfect.
2. It doesn't matter if no rack is perfect as long as the player breaking is not allowed to check the rack, (has to stay behind the breaker's headstring) the player can therefore gain no advantage due to an imperfect rack of balls.
3.Hire a designated racker for every tournament ( reduces unemployment rate as a side benefit.:grin-square:
Click to expand...

Or, just tap the table as they do in Europe. Rack in 5 seconds, always tight.
 
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