For the vast majority of players under 600, the break is a disadvantage. They scratch on the break far more often than make the 9, as part of it. You have to get up above 700 FargoRate before the statistic "percentage of games won by breaker" climbs much above 50%. Here, for example, are AtLarge's statistics from a Derby City 9-ball. Bottom line, breaker won only 56% and look at the champions in the mix.
Thurs., Jan. 27
Joshua Filler (.897) defeated Darren Appleton (.868) 9-8
Fri., Jan. 28
Corey Deuel (.932) d. Darren Appleton (.938) 9-8
Efren Reyes d. Michael Deitchman 9-5
Sat., Jan. 29
Max Eberle (.935) d. Konrad Juszczyszyn (.857) 9-7
Filler (.953) d. Mieszko Fortunski (.894) 9-7
Shane Van Boening (.924) d. Fedor Gorst (.912) 9-7
Mario He d. Carlo Biado 9-6
Francisco Sanchez-Ruiz d. John Morra 9-5
Filler d. Jayson Shaw 9-7
Sanchez-Ruiz (.888) d. Roland Garcia (.881) 9-6 (Semifinal)
Sanchez-Ruiz (.951) d. Filler (.778) 9-3 (Finals)
Overall results
■ Successful breaks (broke legally, made at least one ball, and did not foul) -- 73% (69 of 95) for match winners, 63% (46 of 73) for match losers, and 68% (115 of 168) in total
■ Breaker won the game -- 63% (60 of 95) for match winners, 47% (34 of 73) for match losers, and 56% (94 of 168) in total
■ Break-and-run games on all breaks -- 33% (31 of 95) for match winners, 26% (19 of 73) for match losers, and 30% (50 of 168) in total
Here's a trick to try for 600-rated players: "You can have all the breaks if you give me a game on the wire going to 7."