How to Rack a Game of Pool

Pool is a game that people all over the world play in taverns, pool halls and homes every day. Most games of pool start with the balls in a triangle formation at one end of the table. You use a tool called a rack to do this, which is called racking the balls. There are a number of ways to rack a game of pool, depending on which variation you are playing.

Things You'll Need

  • Pool table
  • Pool balls
  • Rack
Show More

Instructions

  1. Racking for 8-Ball Pool

    • 1

      Position the 15 pool balls in the triangle rack. Place the 8-ball in the center of the triangle and the 1-ball at the front of the triangle. Make sure a striped ball is in one corner of the back row, and a solid-colored ball is in the opposite corner.

    • 2

      Move the rack so that the center of the 1-ball is sitting over the foot spot. The foot spot will usually be marked by a diamond or dot on the felt of the pool table.

    • 3

      Press the pool balls as tightly together as possible. Once the balls are snug, carefully remove the rack from around the balls.

    Racking for Straight Pool

    • 4

      Arrange the balls in the rack so that the 1-ball is in the right corner of the triangle and the 5-ball is in the left corner of the triangle.

    • 5

      Place the remaining balls at random within the triangle.

    • 6

      Move the rack so that the ball at the front of the triangle is over the foot spot. Snug the balls up, and remove the rack.