Breakshot practice
- Thread starter alphadog
- Start date
Option 1: I would place the cueball on the line, like 1 and a half diamonds far from the left long cushion. 1ball in the middle pocket, follow shot and aim on the corner ball (4ball if i am right) of the rack. Medium speed, try to keep the cueball close to the short cushion, because the corner ball will roll to the short cushion and you can continue it.
Option 2 (in case if you feel the pockets, clothes and the whole table): Cueball on the same position as in Option 1, maybe a little closer to the first diamond on the left. 1ball in the middlepocket, and drive the cueball to the 6ball's right side with right follow spin. Cueball split the rack and from one cushion it will go center-table. It's a bit risky, but you have a center-table cueball and maybe more options to run, as in Option 1.
Option 2 (in case if you feel the pockets, clothes and the whole table): Cueball on the same position as in Option 1, maybe a little closer to the first diamond on the left. 1ball in the middlepocket, and drive the cueball to the 6ball's right side with right follow spin. Cueball split the rack and from one cushion it will go center-table. It's a bit risky, but you have a center-table cueball and maybe more options to run, as in Option 1.
What the guy above me said.
I wrote something else originally, because I couldn't quite see the breakballs position all that clearly. If it is on your side of the side pocket (closer to the head of the table), then you should be able to cut it into the closest side pocket. If it is on the other side of the center pocket line, then you should shoot it in the opposite side pocket. In that case you should not hit the closest head ball, but the one furthest away. The reason for this is that you won't have a lot of speed on the ball and you may stick if you hit the closest head ball full in the face. If you hit the other head ball, the cueball will glance into the side rail and out, giving you a shot.
I wrote something else originally, because I couldn't quite see the breakballs position all that clearly. If it is on your side of the side pocket (closer to the head of the table), then you should be able to cut it into the closest side pocket. If it is on the other side of the center pocket line, then you should shoot it in the opposite side pocket. In that case you should not hit the closest head ball, but the one furthest away. The reason for this is that you won't have a lot of speed on the ball and you may stick if you hit the closest head ball full in the face. If you hit the other head ball, the cueball will glance into the side rail and out, giving you a shot.
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On this table it is hard to pocket the ball in the near(left) side pocket and go directly into the stack. Shoot int the right side pocket and you cant go directly into the stack either. Set it up and experiment.
Many players would slow roll the ball in and then play safe.
You have ball in hand so how do you play safe? Where do you try and leave the balls? This could be a great practice idea also. How many times have you attempted a shot only to find it didmt go the way you planned. THAT is what practice is all about:wink:
If I were to play safe I'd do one of two things. Either,
1. shoot the ball in softly and get the cue ball down near the rack for a safety into the side of the rack, freezing the cue ball to the side, or
2. leave the break ball where it is and with ball in hand in the kitchen, roll into one of the top two balls to kick a bottom ball to the rail. Leaving the break ball complicates the response by the other player.
"1 diamond past the side." In the picture it looks even with the side pocket. Did you mean one diamond past the side as in this diagram? If so, I don't like the cut to the side.
![CropperCapture[44].png](https://forums.azbilliards.com/data/attachments/317/317459-aa9f2c278d8194c38aca07b86ee93fce.jpg "CropperCapture[44].png")
I'm a short term thinker, so I take the free ball, then play safe.
Or, take the break shot, trying to hit the rack too, if I miss the rack, then play safe
Well, in that case, I like this shot. The plan is to land softly enough on the side of the rack that you can't scratch. Very often you will end up with a ball near A and a rebreak. This way has a good chance of success and not much risk.
![CropperCapture[45].png](https://forums.azbilliards.com/data/attachments/317/317481-f15be69edc9d47a8f3d762e0c6045904.jpg "CropperCapture[45].png")
alpha: When you post a photo preview it first so you can see if it is sideways or not. I thought the ball was even with the side pocket. I thought somebody also said you can't hit the rack even with ball in hand. That made me think it was a thin cut on the break ball to make it in the side. Given the position I see now, I would definitely do Bob's shot. However, since I have ball in hand, I think I would play to contact one of the top two balls with a little more speed than in Bob's shot. I'm reasonably sure I can hit those balls with ball in hand.
No need to play safe, but you would have the upper hand if you played safe into the "3rd ball" as SJM calls it from the side of the pack. How did you manage to get the cue ball on the right side of the table if you played safe?
No need to play safe, but you would have the upper hand if you played safe into the "3rd ball" as SJM calls it from the side of the pack. How did you manage to get the cue ball on the right side of the table if you played safe?
Thanks for the preview suggestion.
For the safety Pocket ball in side. Then Slow roll into top right ball in the stack. I know the pictures are a little confusing.
It isnt impossible to pocket the ball in the side and hit the stack. It isnt very reliable due to aproach angle. These are not 5inch pockets!
For the safety Pocket ball in side. Then Slow roll into top right ball in the stack. I know the pictures are a little confusing.
It isnt impossible to pocket the ball in the side and hit the stack. It isnt very reliable due to aproach angle. These are not 5inch pockets!
The only thing is, no matter how tight the side pocket is, there should be a spot where you can put the cue ball and hit whatever part of the rack you want, at least with the break ball in that position. If the break ball were even with the side pocket then your options with the cue ball are more limited, IMO.