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

Answer 1

How the balls are racked depends upon the game being played and the rules in use.

For 8 Ball, APA and BCA rules are different. Both require the 6 ball in center. APA has no other requirement. BCA requires that the 2 rear corners be 1 stripe and 1 solid. It is customary, but not required, under both rules for the 1 ball to be at the apex.

For Straight Pool, the 1 ball must be to the far right corner and the 5 ball to the far left corner.

Answer 2

Yellow

Red Yellow

Yellow Black Red

Red Yellow Red Yellow

Yellow Red Yellow Red Red

Or you can swap all the reds with yellows.
You might need to right it down in the pyramid style they are set out to see it clearly.

Answer 3

In all cases, the 8 ball must be in the center.

For the rest, it depends upon the rules - Under APA rules, only the 8 ball position matters. Under BCA rules, the 2 rear corners must be one stripe and one solid.

It is common practice to put the 1 ball at the front but it is not required.

Answer 4

15! (15x14x13...x1)

= 1307674368000

a lot in other words.