Pool Table Setup Instructions

Pool is a hugely popular activity the world over, and many people play it every day or night in bars and pool halls. If you ever feel intimidated when you see some people set up the table without even thinking about it, don't worry. You can do it too. It is an easy process to remember, and after you have done it a few times, you too will look like a pro. Racking the triangle is the most important part.

Instructions

1

Rack the object balls in the triangle. These object balls are normally solids and stripes. In a standard set of 15 billiard balls, one through nine are solid colors and 10 through 15 are different colored stripes. If the game is "8 Ball," the official World Pool-Billiard Association specifies that one ball of each group must occupy a bottom corner, but the rest of the balls do not need to be in a specific order. The black ball, or "8 Ball," must be the middle ball of the third row down.

2

Rack the balls in a more even order if necessary. Many players use a certain order when they rack the balls, so that the distribution is more even between groups. See the "Resources" for a diagram demonstrating how to arrange the balls in this generally accepted, fair way.

3

Slide your rack of balls so that the apex ball is sitting directly on the "spot" on the table. This is a small, black circle near the base of the table. Some tables place the spot closer to the base of the table and require you to place the black ball over the spot. Make sure the base of the triangle is level with the cushion at the base of the table, so you have an even, straight rack of balls to aim at when you break.

4

Lift the triangle carefully off the table. If any balls roll out of place when you do this, carefully put them back in their place.

5

Place the cue ball anywhere behind the line at the top end of the table. Some tables only have another "spot" to show where the cue ball must be placed. Agree with your opponent where to place the cue ball in this case.