How to Rack Pool Balls for 8 Ball

Billiards or Pool is a challenging and strategic game. Before you can play the game you must rack the balls in a fair and tight manner. The triangle is the tool used to rack the balls for the opening break. In order to play 8 ball you will use all 15 balls.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 Billiard Table
• 1 triangle
• 15 Billiard Balls
• Patience

1. While standing at the ball return end of the table. Place the apex of the triangle over the foul spot on the table, and the bottom of the triangle toward you, parallel to the end of the table.

2. Place the 1 ball on the foul spot, inside the apex of the triangle. Then fill the triangle with the remaining balls. It is important for fairness, that the balls in the rack alternate solid then stripe, around the outside. The remaining three balls will fit in the center of the rack with the 8 ball at the top.

3. The balls must all be touching when you remove the triangle. To accomplish this, you will place your fingers between the bottom of the triangle, and the balls, so that you are pushing the balls toward the apex of the triangle.

4. When you have gotten all the balls touching and the 1 ball over the foul spot, carefully remove your fingers. Then slide the triangle forward slightly, so that the racked balls are not disturbed when you lift the triangle off.

5. Very carefully, lift the bottom of the triangle, leaving the apex touching the table. Push it forward and away from the racked balls.

Tips & Warnings

• Now go try to sink the 8 ball on the break. If you accomplish this, you have won the game in one shot.