What to look for in 8 ball racks?

luv1pocket

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I posted something a similar question years ago but now I'm playing more 8 ball.

Does anybody have a theory on what to look for in an 8 ball rack, like gaps that make corner balls go.
Joe Tucker really doesn't go over anything in his video but 9 and 10 ball.
Don't need to make the 8 on the break just making a corner ball easier or another and running out. I know for the 8 if there are gaps around the 8 I just break 2nd ball on the other side of the gaps and it moves out but the balls cluster too much.
I'm hitting center of the table and trying to open the balls and make several. If the corner ball is only frozen to 1 of the balls will it have a higher speed coming out of the rack and go a higher % of the time? Which ball is it better to be frozen to the one above it or the one beside it.
 
In Joe Tucker's racking secrets BOOK he talks about if you hit the head ball square aiming a little low on the cue ball, it will impart spin on the 2 balls behind it and they're more likely to go into the side pockets. You can read that excerpt on the free preview on amazon :thumbup:. I'm just curious now what the second break he suggests is...

http://www.amazon.com/Racking-Secrets-Joe-Tucker/dp/0966079426
 
Good info makes sense. Thanks for the link. I'm always wondering if the 2 corner balls can be made easier 2 rails in the corner or 4 in the corner because they are flying out of the rack and are usually the fastest balls moving.

Thanks Again
 
There should be no gaps at all in a legitimate 8 ball rack.

It seems to me that there is an inherent disadvantage in breaking. Is it true that more times than not no ball goes in on an 8 ball rack?
 
Also suggest Joe's racking secrets books. The amazon link is good for a preview but they say it's "limited availability". Go to ozone billiards and they seem to have both version 1 and 2 in stock. Even better, go to Joe's site directly and support him by buying direct at www.joetucker.net
 
I bought the racking secrets DVD a couple years back but it didn't say too much about corner balls in 8 ball.
I then emailed him personally and he really didn't know. He said to try out different things and if I find anything good to let him know.
 
There should be no gaps at all in a legitimate 8 ball rack.

It seems to me that there is an inherent disadvantage in breaking. Is it true that more times than not no ball goes in on an 8 ball rack?

I have no breaking secrets, but I do seem to be able to make a ball on the break more often than not. Given the choice I'd rather break than let my opponent have the chance, especially if we are playing BCA rules as opposed to APA.
 
I was a little lucky, when it came to reading a rack. We had a kid name Cory Duel, that spent some time explaining somethings to me from time to time. I have read Joe's book on racking secrets. Great book. But remember what you read, you need to practice it over and over. Remember it is a learning process.
 
I just might pay to hear what he has to say about the break in 8 ball. He knows how to read a rack so good they had to change the rules of breaking for him.
 
Back
Top