Q&A for How to Rack a Pool Table

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Question

Do we get two shots for a foul when there is only the black ball?

Community Answer

If a player is on black, he only gets one shot for any foul, even if the other player still has colors left.

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Question

Why does one player rack and the other one breaks?

Community Answer

If the same player both racked and broke, then he could set it up to give himself an unfair advantage.

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Question

Where should the center dot be for placing the rack?

Community Answer

In the center of the table and at the quarter mark.

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Question

How do I rack up yellow and red balls?

Community Answer

You do it exactly as you would with solids and stripes, except there is no way to find out what color ball would be at the apex.

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Question

How do I have a stronger break in pool?

Community Answer

Using the 8 ball rack in this example, place the cue ball behind (but close to) the head string and about three finger widths away from the side rail of your choice (right side for a right-handed player or left side for a left-handed player). You should be aiming the cue ball at the closest side of the apex ball so that you just barely graze it, while the remaining force strikes the ball right behind the apex ball. The english to use is low and inside, so for a right-hander that would be at about 7:30 or so (by 7:30 I mean that you imagine that the face of the cue ball is a clock face). Strength is not really a major factor when you use this break.

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Question

Do I have to call the pocket when hitting the black ball?

Community Answer

Yes, you have to call which hole the ball will fall into in every shot, including the eight ball.

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Question

Why does someone lose if I scratch by knocking the 8 ball in?

Community Answer

You only lose by scratching on the eight ball in casual bar pool. In transitional eight ball, your opponent is given the cue ball “ball in hand” and can play it anywhere and not just behind the string.

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Question

What happens when the 8 ball goes into a pocket?

Community Answer

If the 8 ball is not the last ball for any of the players, that team loses automatically.

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Question

Where should I position the balls on the table in relation to the dot?

Community Answer

From above: "The center of the first ball should be in the middle of the table at one quarter of the length. Some tables have this spot marked with a small dot."

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