What english is best for the 8-ball second ball break?

K

ktrepal85

Banned
What english is best for the 8-ball second ball break?

I use low-outside and try to get the cue ball to play off the long rail and back into the rack. I've also been thinking about trying to use center-inside to give the cue ball a chance to run three rails and possibly come out to the center of the table.

What do most people prefer?
 
I use low-outside and try to get the cue ball to play off the long rail and back into the rack
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Mizz said to do that in an old 80's video so I've done that for years....but....


....But I've rarely, and no one I've ever watched do that, have had that result happen just like that. What usually happens is the cue ball moves more towards the end rail after hitting the long rail and that is OK, but certainly not leaving it in the center of the table.

It CAN work when shot properly with outside and low, but few do that successfully, in my experience and I've played a lot of 8-ball in my day. A lot.

fwiw,

Jeff Livingston
 
I seem to make more balls on the break with
low inside ... I never make the 8 on the break...
 
ktrepal85 said:
Why would low inside increase your chances of making the 8?
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It wouldn't. These sidespin stories are old wives' tales.

Your best bet is to get as much power into the break as possible, so hit as close to centerball as possible while still controlling the CB. I don't think the second ball break is best for this.

pj
chgo
 
Patrick Johnson said:
It wouldn't. These sidespin stories are old wives' tales.

Your best bet is to get as much power into the break as possible, so hit as close to centerball as possible while still controlling the CB. I don't think the second ball break is best for this.

pj
chgo
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I would like to see statistics. Throughout all the years of playing the 2nd to 2nd/3rd ball breaks have seemed to generate the most action on the 8 ball from what I have seen.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
It wouldn't. These sidespin stories are old wives' tales.

Your best bet is to get as much power into the break as possible, so hit as close to centerball as possible while still controlling the CB. I don't think the second ball break is best for this.

pj
chgo
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I never liked the second ball break either pj but these unlevel league valley tables that don't rack well haven't been producing much of a spread when I power break the head ball. Just recently I started experimenting with the second ball break and the results have been unbelievable. I've noticed that you can hit the ball almost half as hard and produce a nice spread with a few balls made and the 8 ball bouncing around. Unfortunately, the rails on the valley tables won't hold the cue ball down if I break full speed into the second ball but a 60% - 75% break speed is all you need anyways.
 
Low inside pulls the CB to the side rail then below the expanding pack, increasing your chances of kicking something to help the 8 ball into a side pocket. I get lots of action on the 8 ball with the low inside, and almost always make something...the down side is you're usually stuck near the foot rail and may have a tougher opening shot than you would with a low outside break. That break hits the side rail and comes back more toward the center of the table, passing a second time through the center of the pack...but for me it doesn't put as many balls in motion and I'm 50-50 on sinking something. In either case, it helps to hit more medium firm than slamming them.

With the low inside address, my personal record on a BB is 5 balls on the break, lots of 3s and 4s.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
It wouldn't. These sidespin stories are old wives' tales.

Your best bet is to get as much power into the break as possible, so hit as close to centerball as possible while still controlling the CB. I don't think the second ball break is best for this.

pj
chgo
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imo it depends on the table. I play league on the same table when at home and this particular table pockets balls 2nd ball break more consistently than head on. I also agree that 2nd ball break gets the 8ball moving much more consistently than head on. This weekend I played in vegas and gabe apollos had the 8 moving towards the side pocket every break. It never went in but it was very close every break shot.

I like using inside or outside draw to change the path of the cueball as I find I often scratch one rail into the corner using just straight draw.
 
Gene claims that the best is left english with touch of right english.Not low,not follow not center either:smile::smile::smile::rolleyes::smile::smile::smile:
Hope this helps:thumbup:
 
Patrick Johnson said:
It wouldn't. These sidespin stories are old wives' tales.

Your best bet is to get as much power into the break as possible, so hit as close to centerball as possible while still controlling the CB. I don't think the second ball break is best for this.

pj
chgo
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I beg to differ, try it you will see.
The 8 ball will head for the side pocket most of the time.
 
Spimp13 said:
I would like to see statistics. Throughout all the years of playing the 2nd to 2nd/3rd ball breaks have seemed to generate the most action on the 8 ball from what I have seen.
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It may move the 8 ball more, but at what cost? How many times is any ball made both ways? I'm betting less with the 2nd ball break, simply because CB power is wasted with the non-square hit on the OB and putting spin on the CB. Does the 8 ball go in enough times to make up for the extra dry breaks? I doubt it.

I think the stats would show that a simple head ball break with no spin gives the best chance to win.

pj
chgo
 
peppersauce said:
This.

You can hit the 2nd ball pretty full with a little practice and about a tip below center will take you to the side rail, then back into the pack again.
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The aiming point for 2nd ball break on an 8 or 9 footer is dead center of the ball in the center of the last row. Tune out the rest of the rack and drive that ball out of the park with a touch of low inside. If you are racking your own put a bright colored ball there. Put the six ball there for your opponent. The second ball will intercept the cue ball squarely on it's way to the intended target.

That's your amateur tip of the day. :smile:

JC
 
Patrick Johnson said:
It may move the 8 ball more, but at what cost? How many times is any ball made both ways? I'm betting less with the 2nd ball break, simply because CB power is wasted with the non-square hit on the OB and putting spin on the CB. Does the 8 ball go in enough times to make up for the extra dry breaks? I doubt it.

I think the stats would show that a simple head ball break with no spin gives the best chance to win.

pj
chgo
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I will have to agree with this view after attending the accu stats 8 ball invitational and re watching the matches on dvd. Earl, darren, shane, alex p, francisco busta, and mika all broke strong and with full hit dead on the head ball. A couple of eight off the break, but all racks exploded open with zero clusters. A ton of break and runs. Quite impressive and proved to me once and for all how professional 8 ball is played.
 
Back in the mid 80's I was playing in a bar for 5.00 a rack. I kept the table all night. When every one got tired of challenging me an old man who had been sitting by the table all night got up and said he would play me some.

I broke and ran a few balls and he ran the table. He then proceeded to make the 8 on the break 5 times in a row and I said I quit. I then asked him how he was making the 8 every time .

He told me ...one tip below center and a tip inside. I tried it several times but kept scratching or not making it so I never tried any more.

I do t know how many times be could have done it but 5 in a row at 5.00 a rack I was not willing to find out. He put a dent in my winnings real quick like.
 
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