My Take...
As for pattern racking I support it completely. For me those who say it's cheating should also say it's cheating to use too much English on certain shots... The break is just like any shot that is practiced with the balls set up in a certain position. Practiced and perfected. To say it's illegal to rack the balls in a certain order is stupid IMO... If u feel comfortable breaking with the balls in a certain order then do so. Who's to tell u that u can't. And also how are you going to police that if it were illegal?are you going to say they can rack in any order except the one they prefer...
Honestly its the mindset of people who aren't willing to adjust to the meta game of the time period... The game is ever evolving and players who rack patterns are the ones who are willing to adapt and approach the game tactically. They understand the power of control and consistency and will do what it takes to compete at the highest levels... Why would you leave something like that to luck against a serious opponent. Or in a big match.
I've been racking the same pattern of 10 ball for the last 2 1/2 years on the Seminole tour. No ones ever given me problems about it. I was able to finish top 10 for the season, and I went hill-hill with Corey at the hard Rick on TAR using the same pattern. My point is if your opponent and all the best players on earth do it. They show top level shot making behind their pattern, then why can't I emulate that in order to be competitive against them. It would be an injustice to say okay Corey you can pattern rack but Raymond you can't. There are rules that go in place now in tournaments where certain balls must be racked in certain spots. If that's all the tournament director sees fit to require then that should be the end of the discussion.
