Pocket Change
Active member
In a 9 Ball Tournament that uses a “Flip For Break” (Coin Toss), can the winner of the toss compel or pass the break to the other player? ‘PushOut’ still applies.
“Flip For Break” Can the toss winner pass?
- Thread starter Pocket Change
- Start date
Renegade4006
Active member
Why would a player give up the advantage of having the break?? Are there certain situations where it would be a benefit to do so??
maybe
you know your opponent has a weak break so you are going to get the first chance to control the table
Rusty in Montana
Well-known member
Or maybe the person who gave up the break to their opponent had surgery or something else going on health wise , I've been in that situation myself more times than I care to admit besides what can I say I love the game of pool ! Ha ha
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
When I was doing a local league we had a guy who would just give the break to everyone. His idea was they would either foul, or run out enough balls where he could get out. I figured he might have a weak break so when I won the flip I passed the break to him, just to kind of see what happened. He broke like a monster and made 3 balls. He didn't get out but he wasn't passing the break due to lack of having a good break.
Over the course of league it really did work out percentage wise for him. Most folks didn't run out on him, and most just tried running balls rather than playing a safe or push when appropriate, so I can kind of see his point. I think of it more as keeping control of the table. Even if you can't run out, you can at least keep control and play a safe if you can't get out.
Over the course of league it really did work out percentage wise for him. Most folks didn't run out on him, and most just tried running balls rather than playing a safe or push when appropriate, so I can kind of see his point. I think of it more as keeping control of the table. Even if you can't run out, you can at least keep control and play a safe if you can't get out.
If you're dealing with loose racks (wooden triangle) and tight pockets and opponent racks, the break at nine ball can be a disadvantage.
Back in the 1980s Pat Fleming did the statistics for matches in major tournaments on the pro tour. The percentage of "breaker wins" was under 50%. That means that not only was the break not an advantage, it was a disadvantage to the average player on the pro tour. Of course the break is somewhat different now, but if a player is under 700 and doesn't have a wired ball in the rack, have him break.
I remember the story of Efren giving the 8 and the break to all. And after numerous winners against America's finest, Buddy Hall won a set. Pretty sure that was '85.
George the Greek
Well-known member
I had a decent break and have made 6 balls off the break. I used to play 9-ball with a friend 2-3 days a week. I always gave him decent racks and he'd return the favour with a mix of good and bad racks. I mostly ran out on the good racks after breaking and tried beating him with the gaffe racks just the same. I could've got mad at him or checked the rack but it was good practice sessions
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
Most of the league tables in town have spots that are a whole crater or just garbage, coupled with crappy plastic racks, some the thin ones, and some the thin ones with 1/2" or less to remove them from the balls, most with all kinds of gunk on them... let's just say I break much differently on league nights than I do with a good triangle or template.
The funny part is it's always opponent racks, so I try my utmost to get a perfectly frozen rack. Many of the players in town, even decent ones can't make a ball off of a frozen rack. It's crazy but for real around here a perfect rack is a great way to get your opponent to break dry 50% of the time.Folks just aren't used to a good rack, even on RYO so it's an advantage to make em tight.
The funny part is it's always opponent racks, so I try my utmost to get a perfectly frozen rack. Many of the players in town, even decent ones can't make a ball off of a frozen rack. It's crazy but for real around here a perfect rack is a great way to get your opponent to break dry 50% of the time.Folks just aren't used to a good rack, even on RYO so it's an advantage to make em tight.
If someone is not in a position to break well, why is he in a tournament to begin with ??
On the other hand, if opponent is known to have a weak break, then it may be advantageous to let them have +1 more break rather than -1 less break in the race.
Draw the cue ball straight back to leave it in the center of the head rail. Probably fewer kisses into a scratch.
if that could be done consistently it would be more impressive than a run out lol
Pocket Change
Active member
My rationale is I have a torn rotator cuff and until surgery or my next cortisone shot my break is usually weak, leaves some tight groups many times. That opens the door for the opponent to play safe.
One of the players was able to play a good enough safe game that I fouled out before a single ball was made. What a demoralizing way to lose.
I ended up placing in the money, he didn’t-a feel good moment, but I didn’t know if I could pass to give up the break. No one at this local tournament is much above the 600’s so break and runs are rare, typically 2-3 inning games.
One of the players was able to play a good enough safe game that I fouled out before a single ball was made. What a demoralizing way to lose.
I ended up placing in the money, he didn’t-a feel good moment, but I didn’t know if I could pass to give up the break. No one at this local tournament is much above the 600’s so break and runs are rare, typically 2-3 inning games.
Willowbrook Wolfy
Going pro
Well if it hurts to break you maybe should stop playing. All that cortisone is doing is masking the problem and you are just tearing up your rotator cuff further. Of course Cortizone shot has never worked for over 7 days for me. I’ve had 3 of them. 2 wore off in 3 days the other 7. A lot of people it works for a month or so. I regret getting the nerve block after having my bicep tendon surgically repaired too. It hurt like hell getting it and wore off in 8 hours instead of the 15 minimum they told me. I hadn’t even picked up the pain prescription yet. It was a rough night. You need to exercise the other muscles in that shoulder of yours or you are just going to keep fn it up more.
But yeah you can give up the first break if you win the toss. I’m not one to take advice from either. Bowled and hit the hall days 1 and 2 after a hernia surgery. Other one(hernia) I went back to work on day 3-labor work
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