Triangle used at the World Pool

[Neil Taperell]

I was watching the World Pool Championships from Milton Keynes yesterday [ thank God it's on , as there isn't a great deal of other sport to watch ] and i'm intrigued as to know why they have a triangle [ rectangle actually ! ] placed onto the baize then the referee places the balls on top of it .

After the player breaks the referee then removes this very thin triangle .

It appeared to prevent the 9 ball from moving very far in one rack that i saw .

[DeanH]

I think these are called Magic Pool Rack or something like that.

[Neil Taperell]

Ok , but i'm still non the wiser as to what it actually is used for ? Keeping the balls in the rack tighter possibly ?

[Neil Taperell]

Found this online : The Magic Rack is a flimsy piece of plastic with strategically made holes in it to place the balls on and when squeezed together the balls fall inwards and form a perfect rack. ... At this level with these types of players a perfect rack while racking your own in the order you choose results in a break and run contest.

[DeanH]

oops apologies Neil, yes they are designed to keep a tight pack together without (supposedly) affecting the roll of any ball.