Break Cues, Not what you think

[LuckyStroke]

Since we are all different, we all have different needs. We all want to have a good Break Shot in all the games of Pool, but does anybody practice the Break Shot or watch videos or even read books on the Break Shot? I wrote a book on the Break Shot & lots of folks have taken advantage of that info. After you learn what you want to do, then you have to learn application of that knowledge. That is where practice comes in. Practice is fun, we make it drudgery because we lose sight of the reward & the minuscule improvements we make in the learning process... we want it now, but that ain't gonna happen, so we remain stymied.

The Break Shot is like the Drive in Golf. The Golfer & the breaker are using lots of motion to create a desired outcome. The putt & the play stroke are almost motionless except for the body parts used to control the cue or the putter. Imagine if you will, what would happen to Pro Golf, if those boys never hit the freeway & their putts didn't fall? Their scores would go straight up & their fan base straight down.

All of us want to be better players, but only a few are dedicated to becoming better. And only a few of us will never get better for more than one reason. If you are like me & have physical limitations, you will never play 10 speed Pool. I play 7-8 speed on a Bar Box, but that ain't bad. I have won lots of tournaments playing with my peers. I have a broken back in 5 places, I can't turn my head to look at the shot, my stroke arm has a 25 degree loss in movement, I have 2 bad legs, I'm 72 & can't see good, but I refuse to quit learning & trying. If I can do it, you can.

The other reason is that practice & learning ain't your bag.

The Break Shot is a legal shot, just a much more difficult shot than a two rail double-combination kick in. It is not just a way to begin the game, It is the first shot & your hopes are to continue shooting after the balls quit rolling. You can do this, many a player has learned how, That proves that you can too.

Good Luck to all.

Damn homie! Well said. I'm always trying to improve my break. I've never had a break shot I was happy with, which is probably why I'm always trying to improve it.

Hey Stu, Dechaine plays for OB now

Ben

 

[ceebee]

First, this is not a post about what cue I should get or what weight I should use. It more of an observation.
I was lucky enough to sit in front of the TV table at Beloit this weekend and I was able to look at the break cues that the players used. I looked at what tip and what weight they used. Im on a quest for the break cue that will pocket a ball every time I break, so that why I paid close attention to the players equipment. Im a dreamer. Just saying.

Well what I found out was really surprising. I seen guys break with cues that cost $35 on up to $1200. It seemed that most had a story with there break cue. Everything from a fan gave it to me, to I borrowed it and never gave it back. Shane doesn't use one and Cory uses a bright blue OB. Weight varied from 17 to 24oz . Condition was another issue. I seen a guy clean his break cue after each break and i seen a guy sneeze in his hand and grab is breaker and go sink 3 balls.

Ive been looking for a break cue that I like for about 3 years. Ive tried them all but nothing keeps my attention. I read all the reviews and try and decide what to try next. I just got a Mezz pbII with the hi shaft and a friend came over and made me an offer I couldn't refuse so its gone.

Another thing I noticed was allot of the guys use a jump break combo. most said it was because of space limitations in the case. But the guys who jumped with a jump cue only, seemed to be more accurate, but thats another thread.
I was shocked to see a couple of pure x J/B combos out there.

Well, ive come to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter what cue you use cause for the 2 days I was there the players seemed to go in streaks. They would make a ball every time they broke and then they would break dry for an entire match. I thought Corey was braking bad then I noticed his cue ball ended up in exactly the same spot every time he broke (not the center of the table). He got my attention cause I was looking at the OB as my next in the quest for the ultimate break cue. Shane had the best control of all the players and he used his playing cue.

So as the old saying goes, Its not the poker its the stroker. Its how well your hitting the cue ball in the desired spot with the right speed and when it all comes together that you make a couple or three balls and now a 10 ball game turns into a 7ball game.

J-Flo, this is an extremely good post, you put a lot of heart & thought into your words. I would like to add some words to some of your info.

A. QUOTE; "It's not the poker, it's the stroker".UNQUOTE.
While this may be generally true, there are some variables. Letting the 3 speed play with a great Break Cue does not guarantee the outcome. Or asking the 10 speed to play with a half-baked Break Cue does not guarantee the outcome either.

B. QUOTE; "I seen guys break with cues that cost $35 on up to $1200. It seemed that most had a story with there break cue. Everything from a fan gave it to me, to I borrowed it and never gave it back. Shane doesn't use one and Cory uses a bright blue OB. Weight varied from 17 to 24oz . Condition was another issue. I seen a guy clean his break cue after each break and i seen a guy sneeze in his hand and grab is breaker and go sink 3 balls. UNQUOTE;

This post is full of a very valuable & relative pieces of information, i.e,. we all like chocolate, vanilla, watermelon, strawberry with nuts or no nuts on our ice cream, hence there are many variables concerning our needs. However, no matter what cue you choose to use, the fundamentals of how you use it, still may apply.

Good Luck...

 

[Scott Lee]

J-Flo...You forgot to mention that it also costs $20,000,000.00...which puts it out of reach for all but 1 or 2 poolplayers! :grin:

Scott Lee
httpoolknowledge.com

Yes, and never scratches, and keeps the cue ball in the center of the table, and does my laundry.

 

[LuckyStroke]

J-Flo, this is an extremely good post, you put a lot of heart & thought into your words. I would like to add some words to some of your info.

A. QUOTE; "It's not the poker, it's the stroker".UNQUOTE.
While this may be generally true, there are some variables. Letting the 3 speed play with a great Break Cue does not guarantee the outcome. Or asking the 10 speed to play with a half-baked Break Cue does not guarantee the outcome either.

B. QUOTE; "I seen guys break with cues that cost $35 on up to $1200. It seemed that most had a story with there break cue. Everything from a fan gave it to me, to I borrowed it and never gave it back. Shane doesn't use one and Cory uses a bright blue OB. Weight varied from 17 to 24oz . Condition was another issue. I seen a guy clean his break cue after each break and i seen a guy sneeze in his hand and grab is breaker and go sink 3 balls. UNQUOTE;

This post is full of a very valuable & relative pieces of information, i.e,. we all like chocolate, vanilla, watermelon, strawberry with nuts or no nuts on our ice cream, hence there are many variables concerning our needs. However, no matter what cue you choose to use, the fundamentals of how you use it, still may apply.

Good Luck...

Another great post. I chose my break cue based on its tip initially, because I wNted to try out a samsara tip. I had been using phenolic and I wanted to control the break better. I had instant results with the tip and continued to learn control with the same cue. I've kept it out of routine, not to mention it jumps better than any jump cue I've ever used, IMO.

Now that I've learned some control I want to introduce power back into my break. But ultimately I think that's what we all want.

Break cues don't make balls. Regardless of the situation, the break is still a shot where you intend to make balls. If you don't have a plan going into the break shot, you're just hittin' and hopin'. And at that point it makes no difference if your breaking with the bridge or an actual cue (I've broke with a bridge before). Practice produces good breaks, cues do not.

However, practicing your break with a cue you are very comfortable is important. Again, it's like any other shot in the game. So finding a break cue you are comfortable with is important. If you want different results don't change cues, change the way you break. Cal Ripken jr changed his batting stance constantly throughout his career and had 3000 hits and 400 home runs.

Ben

 

[J-Flo]

J-Flo, this is an extremely good post, you put a lot of heart & thought into your words. I would like to add some words to some of your info.

A. QUOTE; "It's not the poker, it's the stroker".UNQUOTE.
While this may be generally true, there are some variables. Letting the 3 speed play with a great Break Cue does not guarantee the outcome. Or asking the 10 speed to play with a half-baked Break Cue does not guarantee the outcome either.

B. QUOTE; "I seen guys break with cues that cost $35 on up to $1200. It seemed that most had a story with there break cue. Everything from a fan gave it to me, to I borrowed it and never gave it back. Shane doesn't use one and Cory uses a bright blue OB. Weight varied from 17 to 24oz . Condition was another issue. I seen a guy clean his break cue after each break and i seen a guy sneeze in his hand and grab is breaker and go sink 3 balls. UNQUOTE;

This post is full of a very valuable & relative pieces of information, i.e,. we all like chocolate, vanilla, watermelon, strawberry with nuts or no nuts on our ice cream, hence there are many variables concerning our needs. However, no matter what cue you choose to use, the fundamentals of how you use it, still may apply.

Good Luck...

Thanks ceebee,
I think Im going to go with the new OB but Im getting both shafts. Im talking to a couple of dealers who say they can get a good price for me. Im looking into the software and camera package you mentioned. I also see a break-rak in my future. I think to compete seriously now a days, a good break is like getting a ball or two spot. Ill post again in a couple of months with my progress.

 

[StuartTKelley]

Damn homie! Well said. I'm always trying to improve my break. I've never had a break shot I was happy with, which is probably why I'm always trying to improve it.

Hey Stu, Dechaine plays for OB now

Ben

Like I said, he can smash them with anything. I like OB shafts but never cared for the OB break cue. I broke with a cheaper break cue most of the night last night...results not great. I picked up a BK3 and made 5 balls on the break first time.....gotta be something there. I know you don't like Predator break cues Ben but they make a superior break cue... I'm very happy with my break when I break with Predator, can't really argue with my logic when it works for me. The only guy you compare anything against is SVB when it comes to the break. As long as you compare yours and everyone else's break to his I know you'll never satisfied.

And to the guy who said I didn't like practice or learning you are simply incorrect and don't know me at all. Do I like something that gives me instant gratification? YEAH BUDDY!!! I'm all about it. I don't have time for anything else! This is why I have another BK on the way

 

[ceebee]

Thanks ceebee,
I think Im going to go with the new OB but Im getting both shafts. Im talking to a couple of dealers who say they can get a good price for me. Im looking into the software and camera package you mentioned. I also see a break-rak in my future. I think to compete seriously now a days, a good break is like getting a ball or two spot. Ill post again in a couple of months with my progress.

Just in case folks need a simple resolution laid out for them, to realize the potential that is there for them, try this scenario.

The first scenario is this; Break 10 racks. You get one (1) point for all balls you make in that rack. You get a goose egg or zero for that rack when you scratch on the break or have no shot after the break

Second Scenario; Break 10 racks. You immediately get ball in hand in the center of the table. You get one (1) point for all balls you make in that rack. You get a goose egg or zero for that rack when you scratch on the break.

Then compare your scores... that's the immediate difference a Good Break Shot will make for you.

Good Luck...

 

[LuckyStroke]

Like I said, he can smash them with anything. I like OB shafts but never cared for the OB break cue. I broke with a cheaper break cue most of the night last night...results not great. I picked up a BK3 and made 5 balls on the break first time.....gotta be something there. I know you don't like Predator break cues Ben but they make a superior break cue... I'm very happy with my break when I break with Predator, can't really argue with my logic when it works for me. The only guy you compare anything against is SVB when it comes to the break. As long as you compare yours and everyone else's break to his I know you'll never satisfied.

And to the guy who said I didn't like practice or learning you are simply incorrect and don't know me at all. Do I like something that gives me instant gratification? YEAH BUDDY!!! I'm all about it. I don't have time for anything else! This is why I have another BK on the way

I'm not knocking predator break cues, but I prefer something else in a break cue. I recognize the bk2 and bk3 are well made and do exactly what they are supposed to do. But honestly they aren't for me. However, put a bk3 in my hands and let me use it for six months and I'm sure I'll get great results and won't want to give it back. Some people, like yourself Stu, pick up a bk, hit with it once and believe they have found the holy grail. And that's because you have found the one that works for you.

Seriously though Stu, you should practice once in a while. ;-)

Ben

 

[nobcitypool]

Thanks ceebee,
I think Im going to go with the new OB but Im getting both shafts. Im talking to a couple of dealers who say they can get a good price for me. Im looking into the software and camera package you mentioned. I also see a break-rak in my future. I think to compete seriously now a days, a good break is like getting a ball or two spot. Ill post again in a couple of months with my progress.

That's my plan as well, that is, the ob with both shafts. I have a break-rak, it is a fantastic practice tool.