Does a break cue help the average player?

I'm a big guy and I break very hard, so I would never want to break with my playing cue, because it would make me nervous that I'd damage it, and I think that nervousness would prevent me from breaking very well.

I didn't like the idea of just breaking with a house cue all the time, because when you're swinging the cue really hard, having the weight and balance of the cue you're used to and have practiced with can be crucial to your control.

So I decided to get a break cue so I could get better consistency with my break, and I decided on the sledgehammer because it's a jump-break (and jumping is definitely something I can't do without a purpose-built cue), and because I could find them for cheap on ebay.

So yeah, I think the sledgehammer was worth it for me. But if you don't like to put as much power into the break as I do, and don't need/already have a jump cue, then you'd probably be just fine breaking with your playing cue. I do recommend using the same cue every time because I think controlling the break is very difficult to do, and using the same cue every time means one less possible cause of inconsistency in your control.

-Andrew

More specific questions

Dale Nichols said:

The reason I ask is because at the local pool hall where I shoot the owner has a $275 dollar custom. And I asked him how he like it, and what could I expect to see if I got one.

To my surprise he said don't waste your money, that 99% of the players in here don't have the technique or the mph break speed to get the true benefit out of it. And I would not see any difference for the most part.

And my next question is if I get one would I be able to see big enough difference between say a J&J(from Chrisonline) compared to a $300 dollar one.

Nobody really uses them here where I shoot.They all say I just break with my playing cue.....

So tell me your experience.

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I know Platinum Billiards has a ranking, but I'm wondering how AZers rank
Sledgehammer vs Predator BK vs X breaker & others you might wish to mention.

Also, what % of the time do you sink one or more balls on the 8 ball break -on the 9 foot table vs the bar table. I have no standard for comparison.

I find it frustrating that stores do not have break cues in stock to try. When I bought my playing cue, I spent an afternoon on a table in the store trying numerous cues ranging all the way up to $1500. I finally settled on a Universal Smart shaft mounted on a Players butt. I am quite happy with it & steadily progressing. Since I just started playing at age 64, I suspect that I will be dead before my skill reachs the potential of my playing cue.

At the Derby Classic in Louisville, I was about to try a Predator BK, when someone ran off with an expensive leather case, pandemonium broke out, & I never got to try it.

When Mc Dermott bought out Sledgehammer, I was concerned that the price would go up well over $200 & bought a Sledgehammer on-line. I have eliminated miscues, scratchs, & my CB placement & scatter are good enough to give me another shot & on rare occasions a run out. However, at this point, I'm only sinking a ball about 50% of the time with no significant difference between the 9 footer & the bar table. Progress is slow & the phenolic tip requires meticulous chalking on every break.

berlowmj said:

I know Platinum Billiards has a ranking, but I'm wondering how AZers rank
Sledgehammer vs Predator BK vs X breaker & others you might wish to mention.

Also, what % of the time do you sink one or more balls on the 8 ball break -on the 9 foot table vs the bar table. I have no standard for comparison.

I find it frustrating that stores do not have break cues in stock to try. When I bought my playing cue, I spent an afternoon on a table in the store trying numerous cues ranging all the way up to $1500. I finally settled on a Universal Smart shaft mounted on a Players butt. I am quite happy with it & steadily progressing. Since I just started playing at age 64, I suspect that I will be dead before my skill reachs the potential of my playing cue.

At the Derby Classic in Louisville, I was about to try a Predator BK, when someone ran off with an expensive leather case, pandemonium broke out, & I never got to try it.

When Mc Dermott bought out Sledgehammer, I was concerned that the price would go up well over $200 & bought a Sledgehammer on-line. I have eliminated miscues, scratchs, & my CB placement & scatter are good enough to give me another shot & on rare occasions a run out. However, at this point, I'm only sinking a ball about 50% of the time with no significant difference between the 9 footer & the bar table. Progress is slow & the phenolic tip requires meticulous chalking on every break.

Click to expand...

I break with my playing cue. On average I'll drop only 1 or 2 on a 9' 9-ball break but I made 5 once. On a barbox, I'll make 3 and I made 6 once. 8-ball on a barbox, I usually make 3-5 and I can't remember my last dry break.

Clarification?

Drew said:

I break with my playing cue. On average I'll drop only 1 or 2 on a 9' 9-ball break but I made 5 once. On a barbox, I'll make 3 and I made 6 once. 8-ball on a barbox, I usually make 3-5 and I can't remember my last dry break.

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So, you sink at least one 100% of the time? Wow, that is my goal. I use a loop bridge & stay down on the follow through about 9 inches & into the table surface. My ability to raise my body & incorparate my upper body & leg muscles is still inconsistent. I have watched Colin's video.

Do you have any comments on technique &/or practice drills?

If you are a C- or below, breaking just doenst matter. The break is huge at A and above but by the time you get to C-, it means nothing IMHO.

berlowmj said:

So, you sink at least one 100% of the time? Wow, that is my goal. I use a loop bridge & stay down on the follow through about 9 inches & into the table surface. My ability to raise my body & incorparate my upper body & leg muscles is still inconsistent. I have watched Colin's video.

Do you have any comments on technique &/or practice drills?

Click to expand...

Sorry I probably didn't word that correctly. On a barbox yes...I'm close to about 100%. But I scratch about %15-20. On a 9' I'm probably closer to about %70-80 making a ball and about %10 scratching.

You don't want to "dig" into the table. I snapped a shaft doing this once. Make sure to keep your eye on the cb. Breaking is much like swinging a bat or club. Look at the cb on contact and don't follow the cb to the rack. Just keep your eyes on the same spot. Don't fix your bridge to the table. On your follow-through, lift your bridge hand off the table. Raising your body on the break is important. Just look at all the pros...they wouldn't do it if it didn't work.

Maybe I'll put a video of my break on youtube whenever I figure out how to use a camera.

Are you suggesting that I work on the rest of my game & ignore the break rather than work on all of it? I only compete at the bar in my small town, where I live. I practice on a 9 foot table in a recreation center near my work place in the city. How does one get rated?

I understand why you think the break is important for an A player, but why don't you think it matters for a C-? I would think it would be as important, if not more important to the lesser skilled player. I am definitely below a C player and know I feel that my chances of getting out, or at least stringing together a few balls significantly increases when I get a nice spread on the break.

berlowmj said:

Are you suggesting that I work on the rest of my game & ignore the break rather than work on all of it? I only compete at the bar in my small town, where I live. I practice on a 9 foot table in a recreation center near my work place in the city. How does one get rated?

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Don't do that. The break stroke is kinda tough to figure out. Especially Colin's . There are some great players I know that can't seem to win because they have no break. It's a very important part of the game. I would definitely focus more on the other parts of your game but don't completely ignore the break.

Very helpful

Drew said:

Sorry I probably didn't word that correctly. On a barbox yes...I'm close to about 100%. But I scratch about %15-20. On a 9' I'm probably closer to about %70-80 making a ball and about %10 scratching.

You don't want to "dig" into the table. I snapped a shaft doing this once. Make sure to keep your eye on the cb. Breaking is much like swinging a bat or club. Look at the cb on contact and don't follow the cb to the rack. Just keep your eyes on the same spot. Don't fix your bridge to the table. On your follow-through, lift your bridge hand off the table. Raising your body on the break is important. Just look at all the pros...they wouldn't do it if it didn't work.

Maybe I'll put a video of my break on youtube whenever I figure out how to use a camera.

Click to expand...

Your remarks are very helpful. I found it easier to keep my eye on the CB & my body raised more naturally & I did better. Then somebody advised me to focus on the headball & stay down. But , as you say, Colin & the pros on Youtube do raise up.Thank you very much!

I find it advantageous to sink balls on the break & thereby take the offensive.

An expensive break/jump cue is not necessary. Get an inexpensive cue and have a very hard tip installed and use it.

Dale Nichols said:

The reason I ask is because at the local pool hall where I shoot the owner has a $275 dollar custom. And I asked him how he like it, and what could I expect to see if I got one.

To my surprise he said don't waste your money, that 99% of the players in here don't have the technique or the mph break speed to get the true benefit out of it. And I would not see any difference for the most part.

And my next question is if I get one would I be able to see big enough difference between say a J&J(from Chrisonline) compared to a $300 dollar one.

Nobody really uses them here where I shoot.They all say I just break with my playing cue.....

So tell me your experience.

Click to expand...

I been playing pool for over 12 years. I not a big fan of break cue's either. I have a hard break and would rather just break with my playing cue it just feels right in my hand. But lately I have been using a break cue because my playing cue has a ivory joint.I just think I going to break it from listening to ,to many people lol. I hate those break cues with the fat shafts like j&j. If I have a break cue it will be 12.75 mm shaft. My playing cue is around the same weight and shaft diam. as my break cue IMO. I realy like the gilbert and the x -breaker break cues as they just feel natural and seem to help your break out IMO.