Maybe I don't do it right, but I find that the second ball break creates more clusters along the side rails, where as the centreish ball break gives you a more even spread.
2nd ball 8 ball break
- Thread starter berlowmj
- Start date
Agreed. Joe Tucker has done a ton of the leg work for us all. He explains how to decide which side to break from to give the 8 ball the best chance of moving, and he talks about when it might not make sense to use the 2nd ball break.
I use the 2nd ball break when an 8 ball snap will win me a game, AND when I see something in the rack that leads me to believe I can get the 8 moving. I'll also use it if I'm playing a run out specialist, and I want to slow my opponent down some. By varrying the speed of the break, I've found I can usually control the spread of the balls pretty well, depending on whether I want clusters or not.
I never intentionally use right or left on a break shot, though. I don't trust myself to judge squirt with a break cue at that speed, and the shot already requires enough precision. What's more, I don't find it necessary. Every now and then I wind up with no offensive shot and have to play safe. I don't think that happens any more often than those unfortunate kisses that other people have already mentioned. And, if I'm going to play safe after my own break, I'd usually rather be burried down in the balls where there's more traffic to utilize.
I was just wondering how many times in a session of league play or just in general how many of you make the 8 Ball on the Break consistantly and what method do you use? I also use the 2 nd ball break and sometimes get the 8 Ball moving and sometimes it doesn't move at all.
Thanks
Ron
Thanks
Ron
Ron...Not to sound contrite, but NOBODY on Earth makes the 8 on the break with ANY kind of consistency (not even the top pros)...and if you know someone who says they can, I want to bet big with them (because I'll retire after I relieve them of all their cash)! 
:grin:
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
:grin:Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Ron...Not to sound contrite, but NOBODY on Earth makes the 8 on the break with ANY kind of consistency (not even the top pros)...and if you know someone who says they can, I want to bet big with them (because I'll retire after I relieve them of all their cash)!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Yea Scott I agree but I just want to see what the rest have to say.
I personally like to hit head on and run the table. I have lost some games when the opponent broke the 8 ball in.
Thanks
Ron
Ron...Not to sound contrite, but NOBODY on Earth makes the 8 on the break with ANY kind of consistency (not even the top pros)...and if you know someone who says they can, I want to bet big with them (because I'll retire after I relieve them of all their cash)!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Hmmm...anyone who's willing to make that bet, probably doesn't have a lot of money to lose...
It's pretty rare to actually make the 8 ball. I'm sure it's lower than 5% unless someone's doctoring the rack. On the other hand, it can be fairly easy to get the 8 ball in motion, especially in league play where there are often flaws in the rack that you can exploit.
That said, if I feel like I'm being productive with the second ball break, I don't see a whole lot of reason not to give it a whack and maybe take down a quick rack. I think it probably pays off for me more often than it hurts me (stuck in the mud with no shot). One glorious night, I snapped two 8 balls in a row and broke and ran the next rack using the 2nd ball break. 3-0 and breaking in a race to 5 is a nice way to start.
Whenever I decide to hit the side of the rack, regardless of which ball I aim for, I always use low outside english. This puts counterclockwise spin on whitey and will help you keep from scratching. This is because the spin is away from the end pockets, not toward the pocket as when you use low inside english. Try it. You'll like it.
I also use this break on occassion. I prefer slight draw & left. For me, this usually brings the CB off the side rail and back somewhere close to the centerline of the table. Maybe its just me, or my imagination, but it seems to work better for me when i hit this break significantly softer.
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I think it depends on the rules your playing. If I snap the 8 on the break its a win around these parts:smile: Breaking on a bar box, the 2nd ball break can have good results. I like to hit the 1st ball as solid as possible and get a good spread. I have got the 8 on the break about 15 or 20 times in my life and it always gets kicked in by another ball. I tend to launch whitey off the table when I use the 2nd ball break.
I think it depends on the rules your playing. If I snap the 8 on the break its a win around these parts:smile: Breaking on a bar box, the 2nd ball break can have good results. I like to hit the 1st ball as solid as possible and get a good spread. I have got the 8 on the break about 15 or 20 times in my life and it always gets kicked in by another ball. I tend to launch whitey off the table when I use the 2nd ball break.
I tend to treat the 2nd ball break as a "skill shot" that has select times to use it. if your down in a match and 8 on the break counts for a win or im on the hill and wanna do something cocky. The last session i played league i ended several matches with 8 ball breaks. Its a good shot to have in the bag.
Kobachi
Scarred but Smarter
I'm enjoying this thread and just wanted to throw in my 2 cents, cuz that's what it's worth...
I feel it's all a matter of comfort for the individual player, personally, I usually do the second ball break, and I've been doing it for so long now, I'm very comfortable with it, and don't scratch much, (with a touch of outside english). Having said that, if I find that the rack is dead on a second ball break, I'll try down the middle, and as much as this doesn't make much sense, I feel like I'm losing a bit of control when I do. I know, it's crazy talk, and it may all be demons in my head, but it's out of my comfort zone, to hit the head ball.
Using just a touch of outside english works for me, opposed to 8 o'clock or more, which increases the 'squirt' factor...if I squirt and clip the head ball, I find I lose control and bad things happen....
I feel it's all a matter of comfort for the individual player, personally, I usually do the second ball break, and I've been doing it for so long now, I'm very comfortable with it, and don't scratch much, (with a touch of outside english). Having said that, if I find that the rack is dead on a second ball break, I'll try down the middle, and as much as this doesn't make much sense, I feel like I'm losing a bit of control when I do. I know, it's crazy talk, and it may all be demons in my head, but it's out of my comfort zone, to hit the head ball.
Using just a touch of outside english works for me, opposed to 8 o'clock or more, which increases the 'squirt' factor...if I squirt and clip the head ball, I find I lose control and bad things happen....
I agree. Its like playing straight with the rack on the long rail, lol. Just smack em and run em instead of looking for the easy win. I played a guy last week who was using the 2nd ball break (9ft GC). He did make the 8 1 out of 10 but scratched also. 9 of the longest games of pool in my life, safety after safety. I was in heaven when we switched to 9.