Breaking from the head spot

[trob]

Quit worrying about the break.

You can't keep changing the rules all the time.

Exactly.. players will just figure out how to control that to. The current break is a skill shot making that one in the side. You don’t think so go try it at the consultancy that svb seems to do it. That took practice. Lots of it..

 

[kingwang]

Looks like this is a thing already.

I've been casually following the Sharks Billiards Association, a pro 9 ball league in the Philippines. There are teams, drafts, etc just like the NBA and NFL and other team sports. Quality of play is extremely high - quite a few established 800+ players, and the rest are close to that level.

I just noticed today that they always break from the head spot. Turns out it's an official rule: "9-ball is racked on the spot, and the cue ball must placed on center for break". From what I've seen, it looks like they're just smashing it straight on and hoping a ball falls.

Here's one of their broadcasts from last season's playoffs:

You'll see a few of familiar faces both on the table and in the crowd.

 

[boogieman]

Everybody knows why the WNT have the break set up the way they do. However players figured it out and now the 1 still ends up in the side. So if you really wanted to eliminate that from the game why not require players to break from the head spot? Or would they just figure that out too and they find a way to always make a ball?

I've often told my buddies that the 1B (head ball) is the only guaranteed ball that you can make, no matter what game or break box. If the money ball is on the spot, or the head ball on the spot, the head ball is still makeable. Once you kind of get a ball going (ex. wing ball in 9B) always focus on making the 1B too. Even with a slug rack the 1B can be made if you inspect the rack.

Currently I think the break format is ok. I mean, the break should be a skill shot but at least they are sending balls all over the place instead of just pussy footing the break. It's a skill shot, develop the skills or hope your opponent hasn't yet done so.