I use three “non-optimal” breaks shots and have found that they are more successful for me than the text book side-of-the-rack break. They are side pocket, corner pocket, and behind-the-rack. In each case, it is critical to hit the rack in a certain way. You must avoid hitting the center ball on the side of the rack. I aim for the second to last ball on a particular side so I am glancing the CB off the rack and back into open cloth.
Page 1 (Side Pocket): I use top-left English for this configuration and aim to hit the 4 ball with a glancing hit. Avoid the 10/6/9 area at all costs. The CB will proceed to the side rail and spin toward the center of the table. Judge the speed to avoid reaching the side pocket for a scratch. I never draw this shot into the side of the rack as that tends to result in the CB being stuck to the side of the pack or on the end rail.
Page 2 (Corner Pocket): I use low-left English for this configuration and aim to hit the 4 ball with a glancing hit. Avoid the 10/6/9 area at all costs. The CB will proceed to the side rail and spin toward the center of the table. Judge the speed to avoid reaching the side pocket for a scratch.
Page 3 (Behind-the-Rack): This is just about my favorite break shot. I use aggressive top-left English for this configuration and aim to hit the 6 ball with a more solid hit than the earlier shots. Avoid the 9 at all costs. The CB will proceed to the side rail, spin to the foot & side rails, and then spin toward the center of the table. Judge the speed to avoid reaching the side pocket for a scratch. I avoid break balls that are centered on the rear of the rack. I try to position my CB on one side of the rack and the OB on the other (CB “below” the OB) as shown in the diagram. Never with both on the same side of the rack, which will increase your tendency to hit the center of the pack and stick there.
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