What's the best break against the 9 ball ghost? Rules are break from the side rail, 9 on the spot, no soft break but no 3 point rule (honest effort).
I saw Pia Filler play the ghost and she was breaking fairly soft, maybe 14-15mph. She was making the wing ball and often the one in the side. Nothing was moving enough to create clusters. Occasionally she had a ball in the rack area that only went in one pocket, but in general it was pretty smooth sailing. But when I tried this at my place I wasn't getting enough spread. I was getting congestion near the rack or near the foot rail (if balls kissed funny).
Then I tried breaking firmer. I kept getting clusters on the side rail straight to the right of the 9 ball as I looked at the table as the breaker (I was breaking from the left rail). I noticed the 2 ball was moving three rails and tying up with balls on that rail. So I backed off the speed just a hair, suddenly I was getting funny kisses again and more traffic.
With most of the competition going to the 9 ball ghost I really need to get this break down. A consistent controlled ghost break is probably worth 50-100 Fargo Points versus just smashing them hard and inaccurately. I just marked out where the rack should be with a laser and a pen so I can guarantee the correct rack. I'm polishing the balls and wiped down the table. I'm going to see if that helps the repeatability.
Any suggestions on optimal speed or approach? Just try to copy Pia?
I saw Pia Filler play the ghost and she was breaking fairly soft, maybe 14-15mph. She was making the wing ball and often the one in the side. Nothing was moving enough to create clusters. Occasionally she had a ball in the rack area that only went in one pocket, but in general it was pretty smooth sailing. But when I tried this at my place I wasn't getting enough spread. I was getting congestion near the rack or near the foot rail (if balls kissed funny).
Then I tried breaking firmer. I kept getting clusters on the side rail straight to the right of the 9 ball as I looked at the table as the breaker (I was breaking from the left rail). I noticed the 2 ball was moving three rails and tying up with balls on that rail. So I backed off the speed just a hair, suddenly I was getting funny kisses again and more traffic.
With most of the competition going to the 9 ball ghost I really need to get this break down. A consistent controlled ghost break is probably worth 50-100 Fargo Points versus just smashing them hard and inaccurately. I just marked out where the rack should be with a laser and a pen so I can guarantee the correct rack. I'm polishing the balls and wiped down the table. I'm going to see if that helps the repeatability.
Any suggestions on optimal speed or approach? Just try to copy Pia?