In a vacuum, the eight may be the better break ball, but you have much simpler access to the thirteen for your break shot. Steve Mizerak was a great proponent of prioritizing simplicity of access first.
Here is what I did. I had paralysis by analysis and just winged it after thinking about it too long.
https://youtu.be/yt6kj4ST9_g?t=124
End pattern starts at about 2 min.
I'm on board with Bob's pattern. In a vacuum, the eight may be the better break ball, but you have much simpler access to the thirteen for your break shot. Steve Mizerak was a great proponent of prioritizing simplicity of access first.
I think sjm meant the 2.
The downside of the pattern you chose is you were straight on the 11 and would not have had to disturb the 1 if you had taken the 11 first. 13 is a good key ball for either the 2 or the 1.
How would you play this end pattern?
View attachment 559670
Ball on table from top of pic to bottom are: 4, 2, 13, 11, 1, 7. Every ball goes everywhere.
The outline on the table is the outside of the delta 13 rack (thin). I got through it ok and into the next rack, but I'm almost certain I played it wrong
Now that's interesting... I wouldn't have considered the 8 (4) as a good break ball. In my limited experience mind... That shot, assuming one long rail into the pack makes the CB a flier up table.
Coming at the pack from the bottom (13 break ball) would trap the CB to the bottom rail (aka: less options).
I figured the always preferred approach would be something along the lines of the 2 with a direct line into the side of the pack. Maximum potential for energy into the pack and fairly easy to control the CB position afterward.
The 8 is a better break ball than the 1, 2 or 13?
I've corrected this in post 13. I mistook the two for the eight. It's the two that is best, but because access is limited, I'd play the pattern for the thirteen.
lol... best method of course
I would have gone into the pack a ton harder on the break shot though.
Crappy miss on that 13. The balls opened up nicely and should have been another 14 balls. Hard not to let down on the "easy" one when the table sitting pretty.
On the break shot of the next rack, I went softer with draw because I was on the angle with the CB that is a fuller cut. From the old straight pool instructionals I watched years ago, they said to hit a shot like that with draw and softer, just enough to knock a few balls loose. IDK if that is still the preferred way in today's game...
On the next rack, I know why I missed the 13. I was elevated and shooting with a lot of spin (since the CB was partially blocked). It swerved in the direction of the english a lot more than I anticipated.
PS, my high run is 37, so I'm no expert by any means, and everything I wrote might be exactly wrong. Oh, and I was also thinking I might beat my high run the way the balls opened up. I'm sure that distracted me.