How to Rack Nine Ball

Nine ball works differently than a standard game of billiards--each shot is sequentially pocketed until eventually the nine ball is sunk to end the game. The racking in nine ball is also different because as the name suggests, not all fifteen of the numbered balls are used. Use the steps listed here so that you can begin enjoying the game of nine ball.

Instructions

    • 1

      Place the "one" and "nine" balls onto the pool table along with seven other balls. Place the rack unto the table, also.

    • 2

      Place the rack with one side of it facing the back wall, or "foot" of the pool table, with a corner of the rack pointing to the direction from which you will be shooting--the "head" of the table.

    • 3

      Place the "one" ball into the corner of the rack facing the head of the table. Place two balls directly behind the "one," followed by three balls, and then two balls behind the three.

    • 4

      Place the nine ball behind the last two balls to form a diamond. The "one" ball should be at the front of the rack with the nine ball at the very back of the rack.

    • 5

      Align the rack to the foot spot--the dot on the table between the two diamonds on the "foot" end of the table. The "one" ball should rest on "foot spot"--the dot at the foot end of the table-- and the rest of the rack should be centered.

    • 6

      Tighten the rack. You can use your fist to fill the void of the other six ball not included in the nine ball game, and tighten your rack. Carefully remove the rack.