9 Ball - Where on the table do you break from ?

PoolFan101

PoolFan101

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello ,
I have been wanting to improve my break in my 9 Balll game as that is what I play 90 percent of the time. I normally break from the head rail and line the cue ball up with the 2nd diamond on the right rail right at the line. I use a break cloth as it seems to keep the marks away. I break pretty good but I see a lot of pro's that seem to do a side rail break. They seem to hit the 1 ball head on but more seem to do the e rail then not. Where do you break from in your 9 ball game and were do you seem to get the best result
 
Really boils down to the break rules. Things obviously change based on the 9 ball racking location, and whether or not you are required to place the CB within the kitchen.

All that said, when I start off I emulate the 'pro' breaking location. I will however change where and how I hit the break based on the results of my opponents. I'm not one of the players that will continually swing at something that isn't working when my opponent is having success.
 
bbb said:
if you are breaking from the end /head rail you are 2 feet farther away from your target than if you break from the head LINE
I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU BREAK FROM THE HEAD LINE
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Breaking from the end rail affords me a higher bridge and a longer stroke than I can produce on the bed of the table. This break also works better for me than any other smash break I can produce. I also break from the side a lot but on worn cloth and a triangle rack, good results are the exception. This is even RYO. I get the best results on the side rail break by cutting the top of the one ball at a medium speed determined by experimentation.
 
bbb said:
if you are breaking from the end /head rail you are 2 feet farther away from your target than if you break from the head LINE
I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU BREAK FROM THE HEAD LINE
Click to expand...
I think you misunderstood. I had to read it twice. It's a little confusing. He said..."2nd diamond on the right (of) rail right at the line."
I read that as one diamond to the right of center and on the head string. He needs to clarify. A little odd the way it was worded.
 
Usually start out one diamond in and two up(head-string). If that ain't working i start moving till something does.
 
buckshotshoey said:
I think you misunderstood. I had to read it twice. It's a little confusing. He said..."2nd diamond on the right (of) rail right at the line."
I read that as one diamond to the right of center and on the head string. He needs to clarify. A little odd the way it was worded.
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Yes you are right. I tried to word were it made sense. But I am going to practice the side rail break and see if the improvements is what I am looking for. Thanks
 
On the headline, about 3” off the side rail.

You‘ll find the spot well marked on any table played by experienced players of any reasonable competency.

Full hit on the 1-ball. Center ball on the cb to keep it center table.
 
Dead center or a little off the rail on the second diamond.
More about the speed and racking tightly for me.
 
PoolFan101 said:
Hello ,
I have been wanting to improve my break in my 9 Balll game as that is what I play 90 percent of the time. I normally break from the head rail and line the cue ball up with the 2nd diamond on the right rail right at the line. I use a break cloth as it seems to keep the marks away. I break pretty good but I see a lot of pro's that seem to do a side rail break. They seem to hit the 1 ball head on but more seem to do the e rail then not. Where do you break from in your 9 ball game and were do you seem to get the best result
Click to expand...
Fav spot is from the left side rail, but I switch it up depending on dry breaks, table, racks, strat etc...
 
The magic rack prompted me to change my break strategy. When using a template rack with the one on the spot, I have two break strategies.
The first and favorite would be 4 inches off the side rail at the head string. I want to strike the one ball squarely with the cue ball coming straight back to the middle of the table. Usually the wing ball on the side I am shooting from goes straight into the corner pocket. If I hit it too hard the one ball has a tendency to end up on the head rail, so max power is not what I try for. The other is lower percentage but can produce a golden break. I place the cue ball one inch off center at the head string. Trying to strike the one ball squarely with maximum power. When done properly the nine stays put. The back ball goes to the foot rail and comes back just enough off center to send the nine towards the head corner pocket. The hazard is if the nine doesn’t go it is usually in close proximity to the one ball and the pocket. Not often do I make another ball with the second break. So it was a desperation move when I used it successfully against John Schmidt. Boy did I get the look!
 
Break from wherever you are getting the best results from during the match. It can change during a set. There’s no magical spot. Figure it out and go with whats working right then. Simple as that.

good luck
Fatboy
 
PoolFan101 said:
Hello ,
I have been wanting to improve my break in my 9 Balll game as that is what I play 90 percent of the time. I normally break from the head rail and line the cue ball up with the 2nd diamond on the right rail right at the line. I use a break cloth as it seems to keep the marks away. I break pretty good but I see a lot of pro's that seem to do a side rail break. They seem to hit the 1 ball head on but more seem to do the e rail then not. Where do you break from in your 9 ball game and were do you seem to get the best result
Click to expand...
Dead center on the headstring, aiming to strike the 1-ball as hard as possible, with center ball. This gets the absolute best ball spread, although it doesn’t seem to be as effective in pocketing balls.

Especially when using a racking template in which all the balls are frozen, this break results a considerably higher probability of the 9-ball getting knocked into either of the side pockets or the head corner pockets.

Against a weaker player who is not very likely to run out if you fail to pocket a ball on the break, it’s a good strategy. However, against a player who is skilled enough to run out, it could cost you your chance to get back to the table.
 
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A lot of the people who advocate alternate-break rules will say it does not matter and the results will be about the same as far as winning percentage.

Spot your opponent all the breaks and sit back and relax.
 
You break at the speed and position that the table gives up balls. It varies.
 
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