How do I rack the balls the right way? This is one of the most commonly asked questions when setting up the break shot. Well, there is more than one correct way to rack when playing Eight Ball, Nine Ball, Straight Pool, or even One Pocket. There are however specific ways in which to set up the balls.

EIGHT BALL: All fifteen balls are racked in the triangle with the eight-ball in the center of the triangle, the apex ball on the footspot, a stripe ball in one corner of the rack and a solid ball in the other corner. The diagram below is a good example of a correct Eight Ball rack.

NINE BALL: The balls are racked in a diamond shape with the one-ball on the footspot, the nine-ball in the center of the diamond, and the other balls placed randomly. The diagram below is a good example of a correct Nine Ball rack.

STRAIGHT POOL OR(14.1 CONTINUOUS): This game is also racked in a triangle with the apex ball on the footspot , the one-ball on the racker's right corner, and the five-ball on the left corner. The other balls are placed randomly. The diagram below is a good example of a correct Straight Pool rack.

ONE POCKET: In one pocket. you'll use a standard triangle rack with the balls placed entirely at random

ROTATION: This game also uses a triangle rack with the one-ball on the footspot, the two-ball on the right rear corner, the three-ball on the left rear corner, and the fifteen-ball in the center. The other balls are placed at random. The diagram below is a good example of a correct Rotation rack.

BANKS: Like One Pocket, you'll use a standard triangle rack with the balls placed entirely at random.

SIX BALL: In Six Ball, the one-ball is placed on the footspot, and the six-ball is placed in the center of the rear row. The other four balls are placed randomly. The diagram below is a good example of a correct Six Ball rack.