Racking in billiards is the crucial first step that sets the stage for a fair and explosive break shot. It involves precisely arranging the object balls within a triangular or diamond-shaped rack at the foot spot of the table. The primary objective is to create an incredibly "tight" rack, where all the balls are frozen (touching) against each other with no gaps. This tightness ensures that the energy from the break shot transfers efficiently through the entire rack, causing the balls to scatter widely and predictably across the table, maximizing the chances of pocketing balls and creating an open layout. Specific racking rules vary by game (e.g., 8-ball requires the 8-ball in the center and opposite solids/stripes in the back corners, while 9-ball places the 1-ball at the apex and the 9-ball in the middle of a diamond rack), but the universal principle of a "frozen" rack remains paramount for an effective and exciting start to any game.