How do you get a tight rack for the most effective break?
If a racking template is allowed and is available, it can provide the best rack possible. See more info below.
Another effective method for getting a good rack every time is to “train the table” as demonstrated in the following clip from Vol. I of the Video Encyclopedia of Nine-ball and Ten-ball (VENT):
For more information, see “VENT – Part II: How to Train Your Table” (BD, November, 2017).
If using a traditional racking triangle instead, try the following things:
- First find where the 1-ball wants to settle and rack the balls behind the 1-ball, in this position. The ideal position might not always be in the center of the spot. This is probably the most important advice.
- Pushing the balls in the rack toward the center (from the back) and down can help them freeze together.
- Spinning the perimeter balls toward the center can help them push the cloth fibers outward, allowing the balls to better sit in place.
- If any of the perimeter balls roll out of place, they can be tapped down in position with another ball or the rack.
- If there are gaps between balls in the rack, sometimes turning the balls or rearranging their positions can help (e.g., if the balls are old, worn, and slightly out of round). Sometimes, flipping the rack upside down or turning it can also help (if the rack itself is irregular, worn, and/or dirty).
- When removing the rack, lift the back first and then slide it forward away from the front ball.
- If the the lead ball is sticking to the inside of the rack, clean the rack and/or spin it to use a less dirty corner.
- If the balls do not sit well, sometimes brushing or wiping the cloth in the rack area can help.
If the balls are old and worn, it may be impossible to get a perfectly tight rack (with all balls frozen). For example, if the center ball (the 8, 9 or 10) is smaller than the others or not perfectly round, it will not be possible to freeze it with all of the surrounding balls.
And if you want to place the balls in a certain order or place gaps in beneficial locations (if allowed by the rules under which you play) to take advantage of ball-motion patterns, see pattern racking and ball-gap strategies.
Here are some printable racking templates from Craig McWhorter for both an 8-ball rack and a 9-ball rack. Just print them actual size (i.e., make sure “Fit to Page” is not selected in the printer dialog box) and use a 1/4-inch hole punch to remove the spots. The spots are 0.045″ (1.15 mm) closer together than the ball positions to help create a tight rack. If you want the template to last longer, print it onto a sheet of mylar (e.g., at a FedEx Office store). Here are some additional 9-ball racking templates from Bob Jewett, with various hole distances. You can also use the printable templates (or purchase a Perma-Rack) to place donuts and optionally use the donuts positions to help you train the table with ball tapping.
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