#POOL BALLS SET UP HOW TO#

How to Set Up for Cut Throat (Elimination) PoolĬut throat pool also uses a very simple set up. Straight pool differs from other games in the sense that the apex ball must be placed over the foot spot, rather than the centre ball in most other games. The rest of the balls should be set up at random. Typically, players place the one ball in the bottom right corner of the rack, whilst placing the five ball in the bottom left corner of the rack. There are no set rules regarding the placement of the balls, however most people use specific corner balls. Straight pool requires a triangle rack and 15 balls. Straight pool is a little more complex to set up than other pool games. How to Set Up for Straight Pool (14:1 Continuous) The rest of the balls should be placed as randomly as possible. There are no specific rules regarding the set up of the balls, other than the the one ball must be placed at the apex and the ten ball placed in the centre of the rack. This game requires the billiard balls numbered 1- 10. This suggests that a straight on shot should be more effective. Nine ball pool requires the breaker to hit the number one ball first. The rest of the balls should be placed randomly. Ensure to place the number one ball in the apex of the rack, with the nine ball in the very centre. Using the correct diamond shaped rack will help to keep the balls tight. Nine ball pool balls can be set up in a triangular rack, however, a diamond shaped rack would be preferable. It is important to use the balls numbered 1-9, as the rules of nine ball pool state that every shot you take must hit the lowest numbered pool ball on the table. Needless to say, nine ball pool uses nine balls. Hitting the pack of balls from an angle is likely to spread the balls more effectively, whilst also increasing the chances of potting from the break. Many of the top professionals, however, place the cue ball slightly to one side of the table. It feels instinctive to place the cue ball in the middle of the table when breaking. The balls are racked, now you’re ready to break! Top Tip for Breaking in Eight Ball Pool This black circle is known as the foot spot, indicating where the balls should be positioned for the break.įinally, you need to remove the triangular rack without disrupting the balls or creating any slack amongst the arranged balls. You should now move the balls still in the rack so that the eight ball is sitting over the black circle on the pool table. Once you have the balls correctly set up, remove the eight ball from the triangle. This helps to get a greater spread from the break and avoids clustering. It is important to try spread the balls randomly, ensuring that the solids and stripes are evenly mixed other than the corner balls. The remaining balls can now be set up at random within the rack. Now we must ensure that there is both a solid and a stripe in the bottom corners of the triangular rack. Next comes the eight ball, which should be placed in the centre of the rack, directly below the apex ball. To start off with, take the number one ball and place it in the top corner of the triangle. How to Set Up for Eight Ball Poolįirst of all, you’re going to need a triangle rack to accurately set the balls up.

The eight ball is always positioned in the middle of the triangle, over the foot spot. The black ball pool set up uses alternating lines of red and yellow, with two extra yellows on the left side creating a half flower pattern. Most pool tables in the UK use the black ball pool balls, consisting of 7 red balls,7 yellow balls, and the eight ball. There are many pool games, with more popular games including English black ball pool, ten ball pool, nine ball pool, three ball pool, straight pool, and cut- throat (elimination) pool. The aim of the game is to be the first to pot all 7 of your balls (either stripes or colours), followed by the final eight ball.

Let’s start by understanding how to set up balls for the most popular pool game, eight ball pool.Įight ball pool consists of 7 striped balls, 7 coloured balls, the black eight ball, and the cue ball. There are a number of different ways to set up pool games, each using a different number of balls.

Pool balls set up