Tipton's loose racks.

[Roll-Off]

Watching the Fisher/Webb match-up tonight, I noticed Steve Tipton give Allison a very loose rack. When she broke the balls, you heard a thud and the balls barely moved. Tipton is evidently a master of the "Road Rack." Did they give up on the Sardo?

 

[AuntyDan]

Watching the Fisher/Webb match-up tonight, I noticed Steve Tipton give Allison a very loose rack. When she broke the balls, you heard a thud and the balls barely moved. Tipton is evidently a master of the "Road Rack." Did they give up on the Sardo?

Sardo are no longer a WPBA sponsor. Their contract ran out and, I assume, Brunswick offered them more money to use their plain rack. I would not be suprised to see Brunswick buy up the official cloth sponsor spot as and when the Simonis contract runs out, that way they'd have everything except the balls covered on the equipment front. (Brunswick now sell their own brand of cloth.)

As for Tipton's racking, I've seen him do this close up and he appears to put a good amount of skilll and effort into it. However it is possible for anyone to make a mistake, and Fisher could have taken the time to check the rack if she'd wanted to. (I've seen Karen Corr do this sometimes, even with the Sardo in use.) I guess it is possible the WPBA asks players not to check racks for every game in the televised rounds as it takes up time and does not look very professional, perhaps you should ask this to some of the WPBA pros in the Ask The Pros section?

 

[mjantti]

When I practise, I always pay close attention to making a perfect rack for myself. Sometimes I make a perfect rack and the balls just won't spread. I don't know why, it's just one of those mysteries of life. Also, it might be that the 1-ball moved after the rack was completed. Happened to me once in a tournament, I made a perfect rack for my opponent, checked and double-checked and when he came down to check, suddenly there was a huge gap between the 1-ball and the nearest ball ! Couldn't believe my eyes...

 

[Eydie Romano]

From what I have heard ~ Just the rumor mill, is that the rack was too perfect. The pro's were having problems because one of the balls would always go in and the others would not. I think that Karen had the most problems with it...

Another thing is, I don't know IF they are still making the rack or not. This invention is just one of many that the Sardo brothers have going on.

 

[Hal]

When I practise, I always pay close attention to making a perfect rack for myself. Sometimes I make a perfect rack and the balls just won't spread. I don't know why, it's just one of those mysteries of life. Also, it might be that the 1-ball moved after the rack was completed. Happened to me once in a tournament, I made a perfect rack for my opponent, checked and double-checked and when he came down to check, suddenly there was a huge gap between the 1-ball and the nearest ball ! Couldn't believe my eyes...

A loose one ball (front ball) means nothing. You need to get Joe Tuckers racking secrets.

 

[seiyaryu55]

If the whole one ball comes apart of the rack and theres a large gap, that THAT will make a difference. Id like to see joe break a 9 ball rack if the one ball is half a cm away from the rest of the balls.

In my experiance, balls coming loose will probably be the fault of ther cloth. Like if the cloth is dimpled in the wrong area is or is very worn out, the rack can come loose.

 

[Hal]

Id like to see joe break a 9 ball rack if the one ball is half a cm away from the rest of the balls.

Well obviously. Half a CM doesn't like much being 1/4 inch! (.197)

 

[christopheradam]

A loose one ball (front ball) means nothing. You need to get Joe Tuckers racking secrets.

Actually it does if it is not touching either of the second balls. As I'm sure you know from reading Joe's book. I've read Joe's book and also experimented with different racks and find that as long as I get the 4 balls that Joe talks about in his book frozen, and I break from the correct side, I get a pretty good spread.

 

[JAM]

From what I have heard ~ Just the rumor mill, is that the rack was too perfect. The pro's were having problems because one of the balls would always go in and the others would not. I think that Karen had the most problems with it...

Another thing is, I don't know IF they are still making the rack or not. This invention is just one of many that the Sardo brothers have going on.

Hi, Eydie! What you've heard isn't just a rumor mill, IMO. I have heard the same thing from others more knowledgeable than I relating to the rack being "too perfect," thereby allowing the 1-ball to fly in the hole each and every time. Of course, in order to break the "perfect rack," you must have a "perfect break" to accomplish the 1-ball being pocketed.

That is why at the U.S. Open, for instance, when the Sardo rack is in use, the 9-ball is placed on the spot as opposed to the 1-ball.

JAM

P.S. Eydie, e-mail me your phone number so I can call you. I have misplaced it.

 

[tom]

Sorry for this silly question, but I wasn't aware of the existence of a whole book about racking. Just curiosity, how many pages can be written about a rack of nine ball? I know it may seem superficial, but -to who read the book- how much this really helps in obtaining a ball on the break consistently?
Thanks

 

[JAM]

Sorry for this silly question, but I wasn't aware of the existence of a whole book about racking. Just curiosity, how many pages can be written about a rack of nine ball? I know it may seem superficial, but -to who read the book- how much this really helps in obtaining a ball on the break consistently?
Thanks

Tom, Joe Tucker authored a book entitled "Racking Secrets," and it sold like hot cakes. It was not published again, and players were searching for this little jewel, hoping to strengthen their game with the tips and tools of the trade.

At the U.S. Open, I received a DVD from Joe Tucker entitled "Racking Secrets with Joe Tucker." So his book lives on in the form of a DVD.

The DVD shares Joe Tucker's wisdom on 9-ball, 10-ball, 8-ball, straight pool, one-pocket, and 15-ball rotation break shots. The DVD can be purchased right here on AzBilliards if you see the advertising banner up above or you may be able to e-mail Joe Tucker directly to find out how to purchase one. His AzBilliards forum name is "JoeyT," I think.

JAM

 

[LowEnglish]

Hi, Eydie! What you've heard isn't just a rumor mill, IMO. I have heard the same thing from others more knowledgeable than I relating to the rack being "too perfect," thereby allowing the 1-ball to fly in the hole each and every time. Of course, in order to break the "perfect rack," you must have a "perfect break" to accomplish the 1-ball being pocketed.

That is why at the U.S. Open, for instance, when the Sardo rack is in use, the 9-ball is placed on the spot as opposed to the 1-ball.

JAM

P.S. Eydie, e-mail me your phone number so I can call you. I have misplaced it.

The problem with the 9 being placed on the spot, is that if you adjust your break speed accordingly, you can get the wing ball to fly in almost every time with the sardo rack. That's why you see alot of soft breaks at the US Open when the 9 is on the spot. There is a certain speed you hit that is just right and you can make the wing ball. This was being discussed by Jim Rempe when he was doing the commentary on an accustats tape.

 

[Barbara]

As for Tipton's racking, I've seen him do this close up and he appears to put a good amount of skilll and effort into it. However it is possible for anyone to make a mistake, and Fisher could have taken the time to check the rack if she'd wanted to. (I've seen Karen Corr do this sometimes, even with the Sardo in use.) I guess it is possible the WPBA asks players not to check racks for every game in the televised rounds as it takes up time and does not look very professional, perhaps you should ask this to some of the WPBA pros in the Ask The Pros section?

If a Ref is presiding over a match and racking the balls, it's a foul against a player to check the rack.

Barbara

 

[Williebetmore]

. The DVD can be purchased right here on AzBilliards if you see the advertising banner up above or you may be able to e-mail Joe Tucker directly to find out how to purchase one. His AzBilliards forum name is "JoeyT," I think.

JAM

JAM,
I was thinking Joe's handle was "Joe T" but I may be mistaken. Joe's website is www.joetucker.net.

I do know that "ceebee" has a book available on the break, and that Joe Tucker's racking secrets book is contained within. Good luck.

 

[Rich R.]

If a Ref is presiding over a match and racking the balls, it's a foul against a player to check the rack.

Barbara

Barbara, are you saying that the player can't even look at the rack?

I ask, because on the recent TV showing of the World Summit of Pool, Corey Deuel, in his match, was hovering over and checking each rack. If what you are saying is correct, he should have been called for a foul, each time.

I am no Ref, but I was always under the impression that, the player could look, but not complain.

I learn something new every day.

 

[vagabond]

Barbara, are you saying that the player can't even look at the rack?

Corey Deuel, in his match, was hovering over and checking each rack.

Hi Rich & Barbara,
If some one hovers on me or my rack I will say `` you have bad breath,want a mint?``.That drives them to the roof.Nice shark move,ha.

 

[Barbara]

Hi Rich & Barbara,
If some one hovers on me or my rack I will say `` you have bad breath,want a mint?``.That drives them to the roof.Nice shark move,ha.

That's a good one!

I'll have to look it up in my rule book at home. It's under the section for Instructions for Referees and it's not available on the BCA website.

I'm pretty sure about this because I've had to rack for two players going at it and I told them that they couldn't inspect the rack if I racked.

The men may have modified that rule to suit themselves.

Barbara

 

[JAM]

Barbara, are you saying that the player can't even look at the rack?

I ask, because on the recent TV showing of the World Summit of Pool, Corey Deuel, in his match, was hovering over and checking each rack. If what you are saying is correct, he should have been called for a foul, each time.

I am no Ref, but I was always under the impression that, the player could look, but not complain.

I learn something new every day.

Hi, Rich. I think when the matches are aired on TV, it is a rule that the players are not allowed to check the rack when there is a "neutral racker," i.e., the TD or referee.

Interestingly, this year at the Skins, there was a rule in effect about a player touching a ball on the table with his shirt or any part of his body. If he did so, then it was considered a foul, i.e., ball in hand to the opponent.

Since the Skins format is four players in each round, each player has a vested interest. This year, Danny Basavich saw a player in his foursome accidently touch a ball on the table ever so slightly with his shirt, and he called the foul sitting on the rail and brought it to the TD's attention. It was upheld, and the player had to leave the table and give his opponent ball in hand.

On the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour, a player may not concede a game. Sometimes if the 9-ball is an easy duck, a player will allow the opponent to rack and not have to shoot it in. If you're playing on the Joss Tour, this is most definitely a foul.

At the World Pool Championship a few years ago, Rodney Morris and Alex Pagulayan received fouls due to rules they were not familiar with, one being I think when Rodney laid his cue stick on the table or maybe he used it to measure a shot. I can't remember.

Every event has a set of rules, and they most definitely differ, depending on the event. Most TV matches have neutral rackers; thus, the players are on a level playing field. I like this rule.

JAM

 

[Joe T]

Steve Tipton does a great job of running the events but the problem of 9 ball and the rack is one of the few flaws the WPBA has yet to conquer and when it comes to 9 ball racks I don’t know if anyone can come up with a suitable solution. One of the best solutions I have seen to date (besides switching to 10 ball) was at this years men’s U.S. Open. They used the Sardo rack (I know a lot of you aren’t fans but it does stop players from manipulating racks whether it’s for them or against their opponent), racked the 9 on the spot and it was rack your own. The reason I liked that format is because the rack played the smallest roll I have ever seen in a professional tournament, less arguments, less 9 balls and less dead corner balls. This combined with very tight pockets allowed more of the playing and less of the racking to help determine match outcomes. But this doesn’t help the WPBA because of their decision to not use the Sardo rack and I don’t see them switching to 10 ball any time soon. So what should be done remains the question?

#1 The WPBA should recognize how important of a topic this really is and devote some serious time solving it permanently rather than constantly switching formats. (I’m sure they have put some thought into it but I would recommend a little more)
The rack is a huge factor in professional play and if you’re going to have a designated racker then that person should have some skills in that area (someone send Steve’s address and I’ll send him a DVD), believe me, nothing personal but most refs are horrible rackers as are most players and it’s really not anyone’s fault, we aren’t instructed to practice are racking skills, some people have a knack for it and some don’t.

So train the refs to rack properly (there aren’t that many) and then let the players inspect only, they can check but must accept is an okay option by me. But if the rack is that big of a factor a player should be allowed to use their knowledge of rack reading to help them determine where to break from. The way they play now a player can purposely give someone they know that has this rack reading skill a rack they know they will refuse in an effort to get the ref to rack, thereby tying up the ref and taking away the use of that players knowledge.

I still haven’t offered a solution!

How about rack your own, opponent can’t check (less arguments) but if you make the 9 it spots? But if you do that please give the incoming player the option of which spot the 9 is placed on, hate to see someone hooked for making the 9 (as I think happened to Jeanette Lee once in the Challenge of Champions) With this format being able to rack good will reward players rather than punish them (as is my problem) and if it’s alternate breaks it’ll be a nice break and runout contest.

Lot of typing but even I don’t think I can help much in this situation of 9 ball, that’s why I always promote 10 ball rack your own, spot the 10. The rack is less of a factor, they’ll be less arguing and more play.

And as for Steve purposely giving a bad rack to Allison, I highly, highly doubt it. My guess without even seeing it is Steve as most refs did his absolute best to freeze the 1 ball but accidentally and probably doesn’t know any better, left one (or both) of the front balls in the second row off the 9 and Allison happened to be breaking towards that ball and no energy went from that second ball towards the middle of the rack thereby creating a bad break, which was really a good break but a bad rack.

I wish I had the 9 ball solution so I wouldn’t have to keep banging my head against the table with these discussions.

 

[Wally in Cincy]

The racking you see on tv is done before the taping begins and is strictly for the purpose of clearly showing the sponsor's (Brunswick's) name.

It is not an actual rack for a game.

Tipton knows how to rack.