JLW said:
I always seem to have a problem getting the pack to open up. It seems like I have to absolutely hammer the break shot to get the rack to open up at all. My table is in my basment, but I do have a de-humidifier down there. And I use Centennial Balls. I have a decent cloth on the table. It's supposed to be Simonis, but I don't see the Simonis name anywhere on it, so maybe it's not. Am I doing something wrong, or is there some equipment change I can make that will make a difference? I watch on videos, and the balls just seem to spread all over the table. I really want to play more straight pool, but it's very frustrating to feel like a have to hit all my break shots as hard as I can to get a decent spread. I would appreciate any input. Thanks in advance.
I wonder if you have enough angle on your break shots so the cueball still has decent speed? Too straight and you really need to whack the cue to have any energy left to separate balls well.
Two quick ideas for your equipment needs...
First, Capelle's Play your Best Straight Pool... he has good advice on really looking at the tangent line and where exactly you will hit the stack. It is much easier to keep the cueball from getting tied up if you take on the two outside balls with the cueball striking them rather full (glancing blows at speed lets the cueball get away from you uptable...). Hitting the pack in the "center of mass" (i.e. 3rd ball on the side) means you have to move effectively 8 or 9 balls with one little 6oz. cueball. Tons of other useful advice in the book as well, and in opening up the pack, these little details are the difference!
I also highly recommend accu-stats.com video by Grady Mathews Break Shots, Key Balls. Just watching how a good player discusses the time-honored break shots and demonstrates them, his intent and what line he intends the cue ball to follow and end up and the speed he uses is very useful. With a thinner angle on the break shot and taking on the outer balls, there is no need to really clobber the balls and risk missing or making clusters on the rail.
Getting any other videos of top players like Jim Rempe How to Run 100 Balls (Accu-stats.com), match tapes of Efren, Mike Siegel, John Schmidt etc. is almost as good as being there and seeing the best at work getting perfect position for the right angle to easily and safely nudge a cluster open and keep getting great shape on key balls and break shots. There is a stately flow and rhythm and orderliness to watching good players at work that tends to rub off, hopefully!