Reddit reviews Magic Ball Rack 8, 9, and 10 Ball Combo Pack
We found 3 Reddit comments about Magic Ball Rack 8, 9, and 10 Ball Combo Pack. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Magic Ball Rack Pro is the elite racking system; it gives a consistent tight rack even on old cloth.Magic Ball Rack Pro gives a perfect rack every time, you can rack in 10 seconds or lessSaves table wear on the cloth from using other trianglesNo need to Tap the table and damage the tableLies flat on the table and balls are placed on top of rack
You'll get some good tips on how to power break in here, so instead of rehashing those I thought I'd mention another option.
Modern pool pros no longer do the "hit'n'hope" type of break that was popular years ago. Good players have figured out that it's possible to make the same ball on the break every single time, as long as the rack is tight. And a lot of new racks have emerged over the years that give a perfectly tight rack... especially the Magic Ball Rack.
So my suggestion is... put the power break away for a while, and see if you can learn how to make a ball intentionally on your breaks. This will be useful for a lot of reasons:
If you're playing 8 ball, there are 2 types of break you can use, and both types have at least 3 different balls that are likely to go (though far from guaranteed).
Type 1: The controlled power break - this one is honestly hard to execute. Try it if you want but don't be surprised if it has limited success. It needs a perfect rack, accurate hit, and probably a 20+ mph break. So in other words, it's exactly what you were saying you struggle with haha. But it's amazing to see top pros make it work.
When it's hit well, the balls in the 2nd row (14 and 15 in this diagram) head towards the side pocket. Also one of the corner ball flies all the way around the table, going 4 rails and ending up in a corner pocket. But for that to happen they have to dodge a LOT of traffic.
The diagram: https://pad.chalkysticks.com/ee1b2.png
The actual break in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3eVaA_er1s&feature=youtu.be&t=600 (10:00)
This is one of the best breakers in the world so he makes it look easy. You can see the yellow stripe fly directly into the side, and the green stripe hits the nipples and comes very close. You can also see the corner ball (light blue stripe) fly around 4 rails and go in the corner. Keep watching this guy throughout this match and others, and you'll see it's no fluke... it's the same balls dropping over and over.
Type 2: 2nd ball break. My preferred method cuz I suck at power breaking. You hit a 2nd row ball intentionally instead of the ball at the top. No rule against it. This creates an entirely different result, but it's also got at least 3 balls that very reliably go towards pockets. It also has a small chance of making the 8 on the break.
The diagram: https://pad.chalkysticks.com/fb63c.png
(for clarity, I'm not showing the 2's path to its nearest pocket, but often it goes)
The corner ball opposite from you seems to fly straight into the pocket if the rack is right and you hit from the correct angle. https://youtu.be/TfXcWdJ6WuY?t=90 ...watch the 9 ball. Very often, the corner ball on the other side of the rack can go too. Sometimes both go. Sometimes one of them banks into the other corner.
This is the ball you're really playing to make, the other balls I mention below are just "Plan B".
It's all about a combination of a tight rack and the correct aim. You don't aim to hit the 2nd ball as full as possible. You aim to cut it a little... almost like cutting it down the diagonal line formed by the triangular shape of the rack. Here's where you're trying to hit: http://imgur.com/35cec4U
Plan B - 2nd (or 3rd) row ball BANKS into the opposite side. For me, this happens almost any time the corner ball comes close but fails. Watch the purple stripe: https://youtu.be/TfXcWdJ6WuY?t=170
The rest of the video shows some of the other stuff that can happen on this break.
8 on the break: This is pretty complex... sometimes it seems to fly straight in and other times it only seems to work with a late kiss. But it does often go into the opposite side pocket. This guy does a good job explaining the aim, which is the less-than-full hit on the 2nd ball I mentioned earlier. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iabp28yp00
Beware, a very common side effect of this break is all the balls cluster on the side rail, the same side you broke from. I've seen on a couple of occasions literally every ball on one half of the table. It makes for a really tough runout.
Also... you're breaking from the side rail. So be careful not to elevate the cue (it's easy to jump off the table) and make sure you use some firm draw (it's easy to fly directly off the rack and scratch into the corner). You can optionally add some left or right english to help move the cue ball back towards the middle of the table. Otherwise it tends to get stuck along the bottom rail or even scratch in the other corner. But adding sidespin does make it tougher to execute.
Pocket chalker, tip tool, premium chalk, Magic Rack or just about any of these books.
Very cool. It's a very thin cellophane material with the outline of a triangle or diamond. Holes in the outer edge hold the outside balls in a constant state of pushing against the inside balls. Absolute perfect racks and you don't scuff your nice new cloth by sliding a traditional rack back and forth.
Magic Ball Rack 8, 9, and 10 Ball Combo Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP8QFDQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_203NDbF3VEKKQ