How to Pocket the 8-BALL ON THE BREAK

dr_dave

dr_dave

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FYI, I just posted a new video that explores the 8-ball 2nd-ball break used to pocket a ball, get a good spread for a chance at a run-out, and give yourself a chance to pocket the 8-ball on the break. Check it out:


Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:23 - Standard 8-Ball Power Break
0:55 - 2nd-Ball Break
3:07 - Bar Box vs. 9’ Table
5:20 - Break Statistics
6:26 - Wrap Up
---- 7:21 - break montage

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
 
Miz said for right handers to break the second ball from the left side, as you did on the first shots in the video.

I took his advice years ago since the bridge seems to be easier on that side.

Great video, AGAIN.


Jeff Livingston

PS Soften the "t" in often.
 
That's interesting when you say use center ball for the 2nd ball break as I've seen another where they said use low outside, edson Wu's billiard corner or something when he's going over Corey's pattern rack

I want to try it center ball and see if I can get it to come back through the rack which is the part of this break I've been having problems doing
 
We often have 4 man bar table tournaments at my house or some of my other friends that have a table. We do race to 2, double elimination, winner breaks. In one tournament, my friend caught a groove and dialed in the spot to break and made 5 eight balls on the break! He made 2 eight balls in a row on me! We thought of changing the rule of 8 ball break winning, but hardly anybody has made the 8 ball on the break since.
 
This brings back memories of the "good ole days", when the 8 ball break was a winner.
I think I got it from Willie Mosconi. Yes the second ball break works! Even if there's no Golden Break, I prefer it.
I worked on the break hard and was in the range of 1 in 8 for the 8 ball break. At the same time the balls would favor a surgical out over a powerful player. (I always said, " 9 ball is the young man's game and 8 ball the old man's game.")
One tournament in the east side, probably Redmond, gave a steak sandwich for the 8 ball break in tournament. On two occasions I won the tournament with the 8 on the break. My first win of an "big boy" 8 ball tournament was a race to 4 on the 8' table. I had 3 breaks in one match. The first the 8 hit just below the side pocket. The second break I over adjusted and it hit just past the side. The 3rd break saw it going right for the heart and getting kissed just before entry. Rats!
Every table plays different and it takes practice to learn what inflection will make the 8 come out. Some tables take a set that works.... others not so much.
 
An aside would be: Sometimes the racker would think it was a bad rack to leave a gap between the head and second ball on one side only. Heh heh, that would usually let the 8 ball out when hit from the other side. Often after I looked and they knew I had seen the gap, they would ask, " oh you want me to rerack?" "Oh no, that will be fine," would be my reply. If the 8 went, it was sweet er still.😉
 
Texas Carom Club said:
That's interesting when you say use center ball for the 2nd ball break as I've seen another where they said use low outside, edson Wu's billiard corner or something when he's going over Corey's pattern rack
Click to expand...
re: Corey's pattern rack. I love/hate it. It works so good for giving an easy 8 ball spread, but it you come up dry, you are totally screwed. I tend to only use it against a player that could/would mess up a completely open table.
 
I like the 8-ball break for my league night, especially when I'm playing someone that's a stronger player than I am. In addition to having the slim chance at the easy win, when I use that break it usually leaves an awfully messy table. More difficult for those guys to run out on me, so I have a chance to get into the game. ;)
 
chefjeff said:
Miz said for right handers to break the second ball from the left side, as you did on the first shots in the video.

I took his advice years ago since the bridge seems to be easier on that side.
Click to expand...

I actually prefer the bridging on the right side, where I can put my inside finger under or even against (or grabbing) the cushion, but both sides feel equally comfortable to me.


chefjeff said:
Great video, AGAIN.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm glad you thought so.
 
Texas Carom Club said:
That's interesting when you say use center ball for the 2nd ball break as I've seen another where they said use low outside, edson Wu's billiard corner or something when he's going over Corey's pattern rack

I want to try it center ball and see if I can get it to come back through the rack which is the part of this break I've been having problems doing
Click to expand...

If you use less speed, you need a little bottom or outside spin to send the CB across into the rack area, and more bottom or outside if you want the CB to head more toward center table. I prefer using faster speed and coming straight across the table with a center-ball hit (which is more accurate nd consistent).
 
u12armresl said:
So you trade cue ball control for a "chance" at "maybe" making the 8.
Click to expand...

The main goal is to pocket the far corner ball reliably (with a good rack). The other things, including a chance at the 8, are just icing on the cake.
 
gregcantrall said:
An aside would be: Sometimes the racker would think it was a bad rack to leave a gap between the head and second ball on one side only. Heh heh, that would usually let the 8 ball out when hit from the other side. Often after I looked and they knew I had seen the gap, they would ask, " oh you want me to rerack?" "Oh no, that will be fine," would be my reply. If the 8 went, it was sweet er still.😉
Click to expand...

I like the way you think.
 
terpdad said:
Does this apply equally whether using a standard or template rack?
Click to expand...

My 9' table in the video is "trained," so I didn't use any racking device. See:
https://billiards.colostate.edu/faq/break/racking/tight/

On the 7' Valley bar box in the video, I just used a plastic racking triangle. The far corner ball goes much more consistently if you use a quality racking template, or if you "train" the table.
 
dr_dave said:
My 9' table in the video is "trained," so I didn't use any racking device. See:
https://billiards.colostate.edu/faq/break/racking/tight/

On the 7' Valley bar box in the video, I just used a plastic racking triangle. The far corner ball goes much more consistently if you use a quality racking template, or if you "train" the table.
Click to expand...
Thank you. The 8 ball moves far less for me using a template on an 8-foot table than with a plastic or wooden rack, but I also break nearer the center. I'll have to give this a try again.
 
I remember one day I walked into the pool room in vegas, 2 Mexican guys (from Mexico) were playing each other 8B. Both were very strong players-they weren’t hiding their speed. They were looking for action. I would have got robbed, so I watched.

Anyways a hour or 2 later they found a game. I don’t recall who they played-possibly Toby the 1P player from Ok. I can’t spell his last name.

Anyways the guy was breaking with the 2nd ball and got more action on the 8B than I had ever seen. Wood rack 1992, used balls so no tricks.

I remember the guys on the rail talking about that break, was similar to SVB’s 10B break, for what ever reason it was just “better” than any other 8B break I had ever seen. The rail more less had the same opinion.

I don’t recall who won, it was a close game. Funny I recall that. But that break I’ll never forget. I switched to it almost full time playing 8B after that day. It’s treated me well.

Funny how some things that you see you never forget and I can’t remember what I had for dinner 2 days ago.

Great video

Best
Fatboy 😀
 
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