Racking the balls with a wooden, metal, or plastic triangle rack before a game of pool is often overlooked. A proper rack can be the difference between the balls being spread out across the pool table or having a cluster of balls for your opponent to make easy work out of you after the initial break.
Having a nice tight rack is one of the secrets to breaking like a pro. This all starts with a high quality triangle pool rack. There are tons of racks on the market, but not all are created equal.
In our comprehensive guide to the best triangle pool racks, also known as an eight-ball rack, we’ll show you the best triangle racks on the market and give you some advice when it comes time to choose. Let’s get started.
IN A HURRY? HERE’S OUR TOP PICKS…
| Name | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
Top Pick: Magic Ball Rack | 4.5/5 | Click for Price |
| CueStix International Heavy Duty Plastic 8 Ball Triangle Rack | 4.5/5 | Click for Price |
| Eight Ball Billiard Rack with Oak Finish | 4/5 | Click for Price |
1- Magic Ball Rack
The first item on our list is our top pick. The Magic Ball rack is a revolutionary way to rack your pool balls perfectly every time like a pro. There are many knockoff brands of this product available, but we recommend the original brand due to its high quality.
This is actually a bonus rack that comes with this combo pack for 9 ball. It allows you to get a tight diamond rack just like the original triangle iteration.
The rack is actually a very thin plastic template that is compatible with any cloth, and any table for standard 2.25″ balls. It is made of a high quality special grade plastic that is 0.14 mm thick to ensure there are no disruptions in ball travel after a break.
Here is a great in depth video review of the Magic Ball Rack:
What we like
- Original brand with high quality plastic
- Achieves an extra tight rack which doesn’t compare to traditional triangle racks
- Very easy to use
- Great value
What we don’t like
- Not legal for for use in some high-level tournament events
- Small learning curve to players who have never used a template
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
2- CueStix International Heavy Duty Plastic 8 Ball Triangle Rack
The next product in our top 5 list is the CueStix International Plastic Triangle Rack. You would think a pool rack made out of plastic must have very low durability, but this is just not the case with this rack. At first glance this rack looks simple yet elegant.
What makes this plastic rack different from the rest is how absurdly strong it is. It is made out of a very hard proprietary plastic and is pretty much indestructible. The plastic is also safe enough to use on your pool table cloth as it won’t leave any scratches or marks.
The inside dimensions of this triangle rack is 10.5″ x 11.5″. This doesn’t leave much room at all for finger space, but it is still manageable.
What we like
- Very high quality and durable
- Makes a tight rack
- Doesn’t leave marks on your pool cloth
- Great Price
What we don’t like
- Could use some more finger room
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
3- Eight Ball Billiard Rack with Oak Finish
The next triangle rack is by Trademark Gameroom. At a quick glance it looks like a standard wooden triangle rack. It is constructed out of wood with an Oak finish to give it that quality and classic look sought after by many players. To spice it up, there are 2 brass bands at each corner to add a quality touch and finish.
Another great trait about this rack is that it is slightly over-sized. The dimensions are 11. 5″ x 13″ x 1. 25″. Having a slightly over-sized rack makes it easier to achieve a very tight rack which is the main attribute we are striving for.
What we like
- Beautiful traditional triangle rack look
- Slightly over-sized to make tight racking easier
What we don’t like
- Quality control issues
- Lacks rounded corners for easy sliding
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
4- Imperial Hardwood Triangle 8 Ball Rack
This wooden triangle rack by Imperial looks awesome and has a mahogany finish. The picture of the product is substantially brighter than what is received in person. The picture looks red, but the actual product is in fact mahogany which is not as bright as what is shown.
This rack is very durable due to the reinforced hardwood corners. The edges are also rounded to allow the rack to easily glide across your pool table. This will help reduce wear and tear on your pool table cloth.
The size of this rack is able to fit standard sized 2-1/4″ sized billiard balls.
What we like
- Provides a good, tight rack for standard sized billiard balls
- Slides easily across pool table cloth to reduce wear
- Very durable and stylish
- Rounded corners for smooth gliding
What we don’t like
- May leave gaps with Brunswick centennial balls
- Picture of product is brighter than actual product itself
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
5- Games & Sports Expert Solid Wood Billiard 8-Ball Triangle
This wooden triangle rack by Games and Sports Experts has a very similar design to the Trademark Gameroom rack, but offers a 2-tone high quality construction for added durability and quality.
The dimensions of this rack are 10″ x 7.125″ x 1.25″. These dimensions allow for a nice tight rack and has just the right amount of slop on the bottom for your fingers to press against the billiard balls.
It easily fits standard sized billiard balls that are 2-1/4″.
What we like
- Good quality and durability
- Low price
- Glides nicely along pool table
What we don’t like
- Lacks rounded corners for smoother gliding
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
What to Look for in a Triangle Pool Rack
To find the best triangle pool racks for your needs, consider the following major aspects before finalizing a purchase.
Material
Triangle racks come in a variety of materials. The most common materials used are metal, wood, and plastic.
Metal
Metal racks are usually the most expensive because it costs more to produce and manufacture. One of the main flaws to a metal rack is that they tend to be heavy and can produce a lot of wear and tear on your pool table’s cloth.
Wood
Wood is the classic age old material that racks are usually made out of. Most wooden racks do well since they are light weight, and durable. The best wooden rack is one that has rounded corners to allow for nice, smooth gliding across your table.
Plastic
Many plastic triangle racks are cheaply and poorly made which is why plastic racks can have a bad reputation. There are exceptions to this. The Magic Ball Rack and CueStix International racks both utilize plastic in their racks and they are both superior products.
Size and Shape
The size of the triangle rack is very important. The size and dimensions of a rack will determine how much space you have to play with underneath the balls and inside of the rack.
This small gap underneath the balls is important in creating a tight rack since you will be pressing your fingers against the balls. If there is very little room to place your fingers, it can be difficult to press the balls and remove the rack.
Another attribute to look out for is whether or not the edges or corners of a rack are rounded or circular. A flat corner will not glide as smoothly as a rounded corner. This can directly correlate to the wear and tear of your table cloth. A good rack will be able to give you a tight rack without sacrificing your pool’s table cloth.
Best Triangle Pool Rack Brands
Imperial Billiards
Imperial offers a full line of Billiard Tables, and Accessories. They have over 50 years of experience in the pool industry and supply inventory to many different billiards distributors.
They have 2 distribution centers that are located in the East and West Coasts. They deliver their inventory to distributors quickly and economically.
Cuestix International
CueStix International strives in their goal to give the best customer service within the industry. They started working in the industry over 25 years ago. Their products are very high quality which matches their customer support. Their philosophy is simple. They keep their customers happy by treating every call and order with high importance and with respect.
Magic Ball Rack
The Magic Ball Rack was created to create a high level of efficiency and consistency when it comes to racking your pool balls. Magic Ball Rack created the original rack template that we all know today.
Magic Ball Rack strives to produce high quality products at a good price to allow everyone to experience the perfect rack. Magic Ball Rack has been dabbling in the developing products related to racking since 2006. They believed that the technology in terms of racking has been stagnant for quite some time which is why they felt the need to innovate the market.
FAQs
How Big Is a Pool Triangle?
There is not a one size fits all when it comes to a triangle rack. A good sized rack will measure somewhere in the vicinity of 11. 5″ x 13″ x 1. 25″.
Where Does the Rack Go on a Pool Table?
Depending on the type of game being played, the rack will be located in different areas around the pool table. If you are playing a standard game of 8 ball then the rack should be placed with the apex ball directly on the foot marker.
How Do Professionals Rack Pool Balls?
Racking pool balls like a pro isn’t as hard as it sounds. When using a traditional triangle rack, start by placing all the balls inside of the rack according to the rules of the game you are playing. Grab and slide the rack up to the foot marker in one quick, swift motion. Once the rack is in the right position, use your fingers to apply pressure at the bottom row of the balls by placing your hand in the small gap behind them.
Gently lift your hands off of the balls and check to see if there are any gaps between the balls. If the rack looks good and tight, carefully remove the triangle starting from the back of the balls to the front.
Final Thoughts
Our top pick is the Magic Ball Rack due to its innovative and unmatched design. It gives you the perfect tight rack each and every time. The best feature about this rack is that it provides zero wear and tear on your pool cloth since it is just a template that doesn’t slide. There are many knockoffs of this product on the market. Don’t sacrifice the quality for the price.
The runner up is the CueStix International Heavy Duty Plastic 8 Ball Triangle Rack. This thing is darn near indestructible and the design is flawless. It gives a nice tight rack, and also glides smoothly across your pool table to reduce the wear and tear on the cloth.
Whichever triangle pool rack you choose for your pool balls, we hope this guide has been helpful in your purchasing decision. Thanks for reading!