The right setup is essential at the start of a game. Here is our guide to setting up your billiard and snooker balls to get you off to a good start.
Before setting up your balls, check the billiard cloth for any debris or blemishes. If needed, gently wipe the billiard cloth and add new billiard points to ensure the billiard cloth is in good condition.
If your pool table needs some maintenance, we have a variety of maintenance accessories, or you can also provide a restoration service if needed.
What is a billiard rack?
A billiard rack, also known as a triangle, is a device used to place billiard or snooker balls in the starting position. Traditionally, billiard racks are in the shape of a triangle, but there are also diamond-shaped ones.
How to Set Up English 8-Ball Billiards
English or English billiards is played on a British pool table.
Note: English 8-Ball Billiards uses 15 red and yellow balls.
Start at the two back corners of the triangle. They need to be different colors, and then place two stripes of two balls next to them.
On the right side, place a stripe of three balls of the same color connected to two balls of the same color (forming a J shape).
Then place two yellow balls inside the J shape, close to the black ball.
Finally, the ball in front should be the same color as the ball in the upper left corner. The ball behind and to the right of it should be the same color, with space to the left of it for another ball of the opposite color.
The black 8 ball should be placed on the foot point - move the ball away, move the triangle until the point appears in the center of the gap, and then place the black ball in. Gently move the triangle away.
Your balls should be placed like this.
How to place snooker balls
The snooker table is the most complex to place.
The 15 red balls should be placed in the triangle and directly behind the foot point.
The pink ball is placed in front of the triangle and the black ball is placed behind it.
On the kick-off line at the other end of the table, the brown ball is placed in the middle.
Draw a semicircle starting from the kick-off line. When you look down at the table and the black ball is closest to you, the yellow ball is placed in the upper left corner of the semicircle and the green ball is placed in the upper right corner.
Ball Poling Tips
If the table has a poling cloth, use it. This will protect the cloth.
When the balls are properly poised, press the balls together with your hands while removing the triangle to create a nice, tight poling rack. This will ensure a clean poling rack.
If the balls move while removing the triangle, point the moved balls away from the balls, put the triangle back in place, and then poise the balls tight again.
If you want to try Nine Ball, but don't have a diamond, just use the front of a typical Eight Ball triangle to make a diamond. The black ball is placed in the same position, but the other balls are poised in a diamond. If you want your own diamond, we have plenty to choose from in our Pool Triangles and Diamonds section.
