My Rack

A few years ago my friend Monica suggested that I write in my blog how and why I rack balls a certain way. 

Well, I didn't think too much about doing that, until at ACS last week one of my friends asked me why I always put the 11 ball on the left corner, and the 4 ball on the right corner.

She wondered if it was related somehow to dates of my Mom.

I thought, "Wow, that would be cool!" 

Well, the 11 ball sort of is.

When I was 11, my Mom and Dad first met each other (obviously my step-Dad), and so 11 became my favorite number.

And anytime I have to choose a raffle ticket or a number or set my alarm, whatever, there is always an 11 or 1 in it.

So, of course the stripe I use to rack an 8-ball rack has the 11 ball on a corner.

 The way I rack 8 ball, with my break cue in the pic, too!

Why on the left side? 

I guess I am partial to the left because I shoot pool left handed, even though I'm right handed.  I even always move my coin to the left, if I win the first game.

The solid ball on the right corner is the favorite color of my friend Janet - purple.  It's a neutral color, and not the fav color or number of my two ex boyfriends, lol. 

So, there you have it!  Why I rack the 11 on the left, and the 4 ball on the right.  :)

Nickel Flip

Physically, I know there is no difference flipping a nickel.

It may seem like in my mind that a nickel is heavier (obviously only slightly) on heads because of the raised head on the coin.

Btw, I ALWAYS call tails.

Even when my opponent flips and it's a nickel,  I still call tails out of stubbornness and preferences to always choose "tails."

In my mind, I think it will be heads anyway because of what I said above.

But, all coins are equal when flipping.  One side isn't heavier than the other.

I know this because I searched the web for any website or research that could tell me otherwise.  I didn't find anything.

But I thought it was cool when my Friday morning opponent dug for a coin in her purse for us.  She found a coin and then asked me, "is it okay it's a nickel?"

Made me wonder why she asked me that.

Still curious.   If I see her today during the team event I will ask her.  Makes me wonder if she feels the same about nickels, lol.

Update:  She said she asked if the nickel was okay because she was new to this tournament and pool, and didn't know if we had to use a certain coin or not.