What is a good technique on getting a tight rack? I've seen a lot of different approaches: moving forward/backward a hair, tapping the head ball, flipping the rack over, etc. What is your approach and why? Also if you just can't get every ball tight, what is the most important thing to look for? Assume full 15 ball rack.
tips on getting a tight rack?
- Thread starter mohrt
- Start date
I try to avoid tapping the head ball because it's really just creating a small depression in the cloth that the head ball will rest in. That can then just cause more problems trying to get it tight the next time. It usually does work to get the first three balls touching but there's more to a tight rack than the first three balls.
I think pushing the balls from the back with a forward rolling motion and then trying a slightly different position for the rack if that doesn't work is the best way.
Some tables, especially with old and worn out cloth just don't want to give up a tight rack though. On some tables it is nearly impossible to get a good tight rack.
I think pushing the balls from the back with a forward rolling motion and then trying a slightly different position for the rack if that doesn't work is the best way.
Some tables, especially with old and worn out cloth just don't want to give up a tight rack though. On some tables it is nearly impossible to get a good tight rack.
That could work, or just get surgery.
First suggestion would be to use the Magic Ball Rack, no one can say it won't be tight. Beyond that a lot has to do with the table, I play occasionally on a table were there has so much racking that there are what
seems to be dimples for the balls, almost impossible to get a tight rack under those conditions.
As a side note I see they used the MBR at the big bar box event just recently.
seems to be dimples for the balls, almost impossible to get a tight rack under those conditions.
As a side note I see they used the MBR at the big bar box event just recently.
I've see this getting used more and more in major tournaments, however it is not wide spread enough to be common knowledge. If I whipped out a MBR at leagues, there might be some questions or complaints about laying some contraption under the balls that results in me crushing the break (?)
rub the cloth with medium pressure to smooth the dimples, turn the rack to try the other two sides of the triangle and adjust the balls so that the numbers face each other. also change headball if the front balls wont tighten up.
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If you are patient, you can almost always get one. I'm not patient, so I use a magic rack.
The clothe, the balls, the rack all play a part.
Check your rack. If I get a tight rack easily without much fuss, I like to mark the rack so I'm using it in the same orientation each time. Not all racks are perfect. I also note where the balls are. Just moving balls around can make a difference.
One misconception is that only the front of the rack is the most important.
The back three rows are the most important. If there are spaces in the back, it's like breaking into a pillow. No resistance for the explosion to occur. You can get a decent spread with a little space in the front three balls as long as the back three rows are tight and you make a good hit. If there are spaces in the middle to back, you're screwed.
The clothe, the balls, the rack all play a part.
Check your rack. If I get a tight rack easily without much fuss, I like to mark the rack so I'm using it in the same orientation each time. Not all racks are perfect. I also note where the balls are. Just moving balls around can make a difference.
One misconception is that only the front of the rack is the most important.
The back three rows are the most important. If there are spaces in the back, it's like breaking into a pillow. No resistance for the explosion to occur. You can get a decent spread with a little space in the front three balls as long as the back three rows are tight and you make a good hit. If there are spaces in the middle to back, you're screwed.
Try this method taught to me by Buddy Hall many years ago. Rack the balls as best you can. Pull the rack up. If the one ball moves forward, re-rack the balls to where the one ball rests. Remove the rack and check for tightness. Keep doing this until you are satisfied. Spin the balls behind the nine and be sure they are tight. Sometimes a table will rack perfectly on the first try. Sometimes it may take a while. If all the balls are tightly racked, your opponents chances of breaking in the nine go way, way down. Watch a good player break a rack with the Magic Rack. First thing you might notice is the nine ball hardly moves. That's a perfect rack!
Lyn
Lyn
This is similar to what I do. I figure out where the front ball wants to rest, then rack the rest of the balls to that spot. If that doesn't work I move forward a hair so the front ball wants to fall back against the second row of balls.
I'd say give it a try, if you think it would be alright for leagues see if the other players agree, nobody likes a slug rack.
This is exactly what I do, for problem tables. Find where the head ball sits, and rack the balls there! :thumbup:
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com