Billiard Rack
A billiard rack is usually in a triangular shape, but
there are other forms for different games. Nine ball uses a diamond
shaped rack, while eight ball uses the larger triangle shaped billiard
rack. The racks are usually made from black hard plastic, or wood. Often
they come with a billiard table and are fashioned to match it. All the
billiard balls are placed inside the rack and then arranged for whatever
game is being played.
In eight ball, the one ball has to be at the tip of the
triangle, and the eight ball has to be in the center of the billiard
rack, surrounded by balls. Once the balls are arranged in the rack,
the rack must be arranged in relation to the table as well. Each billiard
table usually has two dots on it. If you divided the table through the
middle, those dots would each be in the center. The eight ball needs
to be on top of one of those dots, and the one ball needs to be pointed
to the other one.
Once the balls are properly positioned on the table inside
the rack, it can be gently removed. If the balls move or roll apart
they must be re-racked. When the billiard rack is removed and nothing
moves the game can begin. After all the balls are off the table, or
the game has been lost, use the rack and start another game.