How to Arrange Pool Balls

Pool is played all across the world in homes and restaurants. The basic concept is simple; pocket all of your targeted balls before your opponent can pocket his. For some games it won't matter how the balls are arranged at the start, but some based on what happens to a certain numbered ball do call for exact initial set ups. These set ups are designed to make the game fair and challenging.

Things You'll Need

  • Set of pool balls
  • Racking triangle
  • Racking diamond
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Instructions

  1. 8-Ball

    • 1

      Place the racking triangle centered on the table so one of the pointed ends is lined up with the second diamond on the side of the pool table.

    • 2

      Place the "1" ball on the rack at its apex. Place a random row of two balls behind the 1 ball.

    • 3

      Place a random ball on the left hand side of the rack to start the third roll of balls. Place the "8" ball in the center of the third row. Place a random ball on the right side of the "8" ball to finish the third row.

    • 4

      Place four random balls in the rack for the fourth row. Place a solid ball (1-7) at one corner of the last row and a striped ball (9-15) in the other corner. Add the final three balls to the rack to finish the third row

    9-ball

    • 5

      Place the racking diamond on the pool table so one corner is lined up with the second diamond on the pool table side.

    • 6

      Place the "1" ball at the front apex of the diamond and the "9" ball at the rear apex.

    • 7

      Place the "2" through "8" balls in the diamond in any random order.