What is the proper way to rack 8-ball pool?

Question

Billards.

Answer 1

WPA rules state:

3.2 Eight Ball Rack

The fifteen object balls are racked as tightly as possible in a triangle, with the apex ball on the foot spot and the eight ball as the first ball that is directly below the apex ball. One from each group of seven will be on the two lower corners of the triangle. The other balls are placed in the triangle without purposeful or intentional pattern.

The alternating pattern would result in balls of the same group being in the two lower corners, so it would be illegal by WPA rules.

Answer 2

Technically speaking, all that matters is that the 8-ball gets placed in the center of the rack. There is NO specific order to place the balls by number or by suit (stripes and solids).

When I rack the balls for a game of 8-Ball, aside from placing the 8-ball in the center of the rack, I alternate stripes and solids, but it is not a rule nor necessary to do so.

http://www.tonybasa.com/8-ball.html  <-----Read the first paragraph. After you read through the "rules", be sure to read the comment following "rule" # 14.

Good luck, pool player -

LAG