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How to Do a Proper Eight Ball Rack

The game of eight ball is the most popular and classic of pool games. The game uses all 15 balls in the standard set of pool balls. In this two-person pool game, one player racks the balls in a triangular shape at one end of the pool table and the other player breaks them from the other end. Knowing how to make a good, tight rack is one of the most important aspects of the game.

Things You'll Need

Standard set of 15 pool balls
Pool table
Pool ball rack

Instructions

- 1
  Place the solid yellow 1 ball in the front of the "V" triangle of the eight ball rack. Align this ball with the second dot, or head-string, at the end of the pool table.
- 2
  Place the 9 ball on the left side of the rack behind the 1 ball.
- 3
  Place the 2 ball behind the 9 ball.
- 4
  Place the 10 ball behind the 2 ball.
- 5
  Place the 3 ball behind the 10 ball. This will fill the left side of the rack.
- 6
  Place the 11 ball to the right of the 3 ball along the the back side of the rack.
- 7
  Place the 4 ball to the right of the 11 ball.
- 8
  Place the 12 ball to the right of the 4 ball.
- 9
  Place the 5 ball in the corner next to the 12 ball.
- 10
  Place the 13 ball in front of the 5 ball.
- 11
  Place the 6 ball in front of the 13 ball.
- 12
  Place the 14 ball in front of the 6 ball.
- 13
  Place the 8 ball in the forward middle opening of the rack.
- 14
  Place the 7 ball and 15 ball behind the 8 ball.
- 15
  Create a tight fit in the rack of pool balls using your fingers, allowing no space between the balls. Carefully remove the rack.

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