Break shot

[Pangit]

I practice it about two hours a week. I should practice eight hours a week. Paid dividends today. Even match on every other level amongst four guys. The break won it for me. Corey Deuel seems to be the Master. It's important isn't it?
Straight Pool, One Pocket, rotation games etc...doesn't matter.

 

[ceebee]

well.... let's see.

It's the first shot in every game

It's the most difficult shot

You have to make a ball & control whitey or you may lose

If you make a ball & control whitey, you are in charge of the game at that point. You choose to run the rack or run down to a point where a good safety will win the game for you.

Should you practice the break shot.... by all means possible.

 

[Cdryden]

I agree. People hate to practice it because its time consuming. A few years ago I evaluated my game and decided that my break was my biggest weak spot. So I dedicated allot of time to improving my break (8-ball).

The next session I set a league record for most 8 balls on the break and set a new personal best record for most wins in a season.

IMO, you cant say your a good player if your break sucks. It IS the most important shot without a doubt.

 

[Bob Jewett]

I practice it about two hours a week. I should practice eight hours a week. Paid dividends today. Even match on every other level amongst four guys. The break won it for me. Corey Deuel seems to be the Master. It's important isn't it?
Straight Pool, One Pocket, rotation games etc...doesn't matter.

I think at some games it's over-rated. A study of nine ball breaks by Pat Fleming is often quoted. He found that in pro tournaments of the time (mid-80s?) the breaker usually lost.

The average league player around here is not going to run out from the break very often nor is their opponent. In that situation I think the break is just a way to get the game started. Try not to scratch.

 

[BarneyCalip]

Statistics

Bob, you are right. No one runs out from the break every time.

As a Statistic fanatic, I say it is how many balls “can you pocket” for any given game. Since very few of us can run out every time, I can see when breaking first can cost you the game.

Now ducking and hiding can play havoc with statistics. That’s why I always play roll out.

Back to the main topic, yes practice the Break, because one day you may run out like SVB. :smile:

 

[Fatboy]

I practice it about two hours a week. I should practice eight hours a week. Paid dividends today. Even match on every other level amongst four guys. The break won it for me. Corey Deuel seems to be the Master. It's important isn't it?
Straight Pool, One Pocket, rotation games etc...doesn't matter.

Its the most important shot in pool and because I have never had a good 9,10 break I have paid the price more than once.

 

[Fatboy]

well.... let's see.

It's the first shot in every game

It's the most difficult shot

You have to make a ball & control whitey or you may lose

If you make a ball & control whitey, you are in charge of the game at that point. You choose to run the rack or run down to a point where a good safety will win the game for you.

Should you practice the break shot.... by all means possible.

another great example was in China 2 months ago, SVB took 2nd place for $11,000 and the Chinese guy won $41,000 and a world title. They played a race to 9?, it was break apeace, SVB was up 2-0 then dry broke 4 games in a row and lost every one of those games, the Chinese guy didnt dry braeak and smoked Shane. That title and $30,000 difference was 4 dry breaks.

If I could have SVB break for me there are lots of games I'd play that I wouldnt play if I had to break. HMMM I just might be on to something here.


Bob,

I agree with you back in the 80's it was all about hitting them hard and square, the pop/drop SVB break was not very common. Also the weaker the players the less important the break is, you figure a miss ot 2 every rack, but when you get to the b+ and higher speeds then the break counts for lots more. Its a hell of a lot more important for SVB than you or me, in that order, for rotation games. I played a game of one hole the other night for $20 I broke bad and was in a trap the whole game on my break.

I never discount the break shot "You left enough" was a great line in the Hustler, and IMO true.