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Choice of head ball in 8-ball?
I play 8-ball using world-standardized rules. Hence, there is no specific requirement for which ball is be placed at the head of the rack. It does not have to be the 1 ball as in IPT rules or any rotation games (9-ball, 10-ball, etc.). Which ball do you prefer to put up front? Does it depend on the color of the cloth? I know some people like to put the 6 ball up front on green cloth and the 2 ball up front on blue cloth. Do you prefer putting a stripe or a solid up front? Some people like to put the 13 ball up front for the superstitious opponents. What is your logic for selecting the head ball or do you feel that it doesn't matter at all?
Interesting answers so far. I personally don't think it makes much difference, but it's fun to see what other folks are thinking.
5 Answers
- Vegas MattLv 79 years agoFavorite Answer
I honestly don't pay any attention 99% of the time. I just throw the balls in the rack, move the 8 in the middle and make sure the bottom corners are different. I'll juggle them around if one side is all stripes or solids or something, but most of the time I don't do anything.
I'd be lying if I said I'd never intentionally put the 6 in front when playing an old man that I know is a high skill level though. There are more than a few gentlemen well into their retirement years in our league that were clearly sharpshooters in their younger days but now have waning eyesight.
- Mickey MantleLv 59 years ago
Never really think about it to tell you the truth. I have always placed the 1 at the top, then follow with two stripes, then two solids, then two stripes......you get the picture/rack........tell you what, bet you an arguement ensues as soon as I change the top ball to another one besides the one.....you are right on the rules, but still.....I bet you the other guy will ask or complain about it!......I am superstitious a bit, I like your 13 ball idea! Maybe I'll use that one to really get it noticed! LOL! Right now, I can think of one guy in particular that will "hollar" about it!........GOLLY, I miss this game, sure wish I had the time to play.....I can think of a few other things, but other then those....."nothing finer to be in a hall shooting the money ball in to beat someone!"........Happy New Year guys!
- life_loverflLv 69 years ago
The only requirement for racking in 8-ball is that the 8-ball is in the center of the rack and the balls are racked as tightly as possible. Any variation to that would be nothing more than a "house" rule.
This is the rule as it reads in the APA rule book. http://www.poolplayers.com/8-9-ball-Rules.pdf
2. Racking - All balls should be frozen (touching) as
tightly as possible. Balls are racked with the front ball
on the foot spot and the 8-ball in the center. The
breaking player may request and receive a rerack.
Source(s): 26 year APA Pool League player - 9 years ago
I use the one ball. Call me a traditionalist.
You should, whether it's a rule or not, place one solid and one stripe at the corners on the bottom of the triangle.
