Since we can use both hands, let's assume we can parallelise the first operation (swap 2 couple of balls at the same time), whereas we can only swap two non-adjacent balls at a time. To formalize this, we can assume there are two three operations we can do: If you want the white ones in the corners, you have just 2 of them in place (2,11). How do you decide that upfront? Should you take into account how many balls are already in place? In my example, if you want the grey ones in the corners, you already have 3 in place (balls 1,10,14). There's also the decision of which types of balls we want in the corners to be made. 5 is not, we swap it with 2, then we swap 4 with 3 (or with 8), but this would already be inefficient because we've either moved the 4 to the center or the 8 in 4's position - i.e. So for example, we'd assume 1 is at the correct position. How do you proceed?Ī simple approach would be to start in order, top -> bottom and left -> right. The two remaining balls (a stripe and a solid) don't matter.Īssume you just finished a game, gather the balls, put them in the rack and proceed to arrange them to start a new one. the 8-ball must be in the center, and along the sides the stripes and the solids must alternate. It is actually possible in some rare cases to pot the 9-ball right off the break.Since racking of billiard balls for the 8-ball game can be done under multiple rules, here's the racking I refer to: In this case, players can only make shots on the lowest numbered ball currently on the table (so the 1 ball, then the 2 ball, then the 3 ball etc). Similar to 8-ball pool, there are penalties for hitting the wrong balls at the wrong time. The goal in 9-Ball is to sink all the balls in numerical order, the winner of the frame being the one who actually pots the 9 ball.
#8 BALL RACK FREE#
You are free to break from anywhere behind the baulk line or ‘Head String’, though some tournaments may restrict your breaking point further to make the game more difficult. Where the finished rack is placed is largely dependent on what tournament you attend or your own preference, but the two normally accepted positions are to have either the 9 ball (the centre of the diamond) on the spot, or the 1 ball (the front of the diamond) on the spot.
![8 ball rack 8 ball rack](https://www.seyberts.com/images/products/solof_1560948361_accu-rack-8-ball.jpg)
All the other balls can be arranged however you like. the balls must be arranged in a diamond, with the 1 ball at the front, and the 9 ball in the centre of the diamond. To set up a 9-ball rack, use only the balls numbered 1-9. There are two boards (The WEPF and BCA) who have come together to decide the rules, but some specifics may depend on the tournament (which will be covered below). 9-Ball can be played with a set 2” spots and stripes on an English table, but the regulation game played in tournaments is always on an American style table with the larger 2 1/4” balls.
![8 ball rack 8 ball rack](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egTh7EwUWx8/UXXv-Hath0I/AAAAAAAAAH4/Tn2zPszvD5k/s1600/diamond.jpg)
The player must clear all of their colour balls from the table, before then potting the black or 8-ball to win the frame.ĩ-Ball is a hugely popular game over in America, and the rest of the world, but is surprisingly a generally lesser known table sport in England! The game is very fast paced, and you will play through frames quickly making for a very exciting game to play. Once a coloured ball is potted, whatever colour that player potted becomes that player’s colour, and it is then a ‘race to the black’. Players take it in terms taking shots with the cue ball from the baulk line to break and to pot any ball (excluding the black/8-ball). The balls are arranged in a triangle, with the point pointing back up the table. It can be played on any kind of table, either on an English table with 2” balls, or an American table with 2 1/4“ balls. The game is played with either english reds and yellows, or American spots and stripes. The respective rule sets can be found on their respective websites if you want to read the finer specifics, but for the sake of this guide, here is a very basic outline on the game.Ĩ-Ball Pool is very much just the game you will know from playing casually at home or even at the local pub or arcade. The main bodies being the World Pool-Billiard association, The EBA (European Blackball Association) and finally, the WEPF (World Eight-Ball Pool Federation) who cover the international rules of the sport.
![8 ball rack 8 ball rack](https://media.pooldawg.com/media/catalog/product/r/k/rk8phd_01.jpg)
There are a number of bodies that govern 8-ball rules. They are very different games to play, but both are excellent fun. The two most popular games you can play on a pool table is either 8-Ball, or 9-Ball.