Abstract: An improved ball setting and tightening rack for creating a compact formation of playing balls on a playing surface to be used for playing billiards, pool, snooker, or any other game requiring a tight grouping of playing balls on a playing surface. The improved ball setting and tightening rack uses horizontal compression along both the x-axis and the y-axis to create a tight grouping of playing balls. The use of horizontal compression in place of the more common vertical compression racks provides a tighter grouping of playing balls and also reduces wear, fatigue and subsequent failure of the playing surface. The improved ball setting and tightening rack also contains a novel mechanism for removing the improved ball setting and tightening rack from the grouping of playing balls by rotating a side of the improved ball setting and tightening rack up and away from the grouping of playing balls.