Stack the Rack - Viking Cues Tip of the Week with Mike Roque, Author of "Build Your Game"

Stack the Rack

“Nine ball racks are the easiest to predict, manipulate and take advantage of.”

-Joe Tucker

AFTER YEARS of breaking nine ball, players have figured out that the balls tend to have a somewhat predictable scatter pattern. Although each rack is unique, there is a tendency for the two balls directly behind the one to go up table with it and the two balls behind the nine to stay down table nearby. This is valuable information that can be used to your advantage.

In the diagram example 1, the one, eight and three will go up table, while the two and seven balls will stay down table. To run this rack requires a lot of traveling and that creates the possibility for errors. If you are playing a strong shooter with a killer break, this racking sequence might give you a few more trips to the table.

If you are racking for yourself and making a ball on the break or racking for your opponent who can’t run out, try this arrangement in example 2. The low numbered balls should go up table, with the higher ones staying down table. That will provide an easier runout.

Rack the balls to give yourself an advantage.

Love our Tip of the Week with Mike Roque, you can purchase your own copy of his book "Build Your Game" at the BEBOB Publishing Website at http://bebobpublishing.com/