1-Pocket Break Question

try everthing.

I have struggled with my 1 hole break also. Even if you watch a pro match there will be at least 1 flubbed break attempt it seems.

After watching a Bert Kinster (sp) video he did a break where he skims the second ball back and hits the 3rd ball. This works much much better for me. It seems easier to control and the chances of me scratching or selling out the corner ball are greatly reduced. It also doesnt put the head ball just below the side and give your opponent the opportunity for an easy escape by banking a ball into the stack and doubling you up down table.

Very insiteful post. Many people use this break, and if you master the speed, it will be very effective. you'll make a ball on the break more often with this style. If hit to easily it'll offer a lot of power returns as the balls seem to open a little more. That said, no break is good hit to easily.
PS; Be open to a lot of ideas, though many will be worthless.
Rep to you.
Rod.
 
Good job with the pictures Patrick. More than a few of those breaks look very strong. Are you left handed?

Yes, I'm left handed and I think that's the "left handed side" for 1 pocket breaks, based on how much easier it is to shoot from the side my pocket is on (where I mostly find myself shooting from).

I can't complain about those breaks, but I like to keep the cue ball even a little closer to the side rail (makes a big difference on the answering shot). My aim was a little off so I used a little less side spin. I've sometimes missed the side rail altogether when I'm hitting 'em good and can load the CB up.

pj
chgo
 
Yes, I'm left handed and I think that's the "left handed side" for 1 pocket breaks, based on how much easier it is to shoot from the side my pocket is on (where I mostly find myself shooting from).

I can't complain about those breaks, but I like to keep the cue ball even a little closer to the side rail (makes a big difference on the answering shot). My aim was a little off so I used a little less side spin. I've sometimes missed the side rail altogether when I'm hitting 'em good and can load the CB up.

pj
chgo

Think about this shot, a very crucial shot in one pocket. the balls from the side down to your corner are fairly easily made with a crutch. these shot you may be able to break open the rack or spin behind it.
Rod.

CueTable Help

 
shooting across your body.

Yes, I'm left handed and I think that's the "left handed side" for 1 pocket breaks, based on how much easier it is to shoot from the side my pocket is on (where I mostly find myself shooting from).


pj
chgo

I've seen some very good players break from the opposite side, as you do. However they are in the minority. I believe as you gain experience playing one pocket, you'll change your opinion, as you seem to be very analytical.
Rod.------ some people _will_ agree with me on this.
 
Think about this shot, a very crucial shot in one pocket. the balls from the side down to your corner are fairly easily made with a crutch. these shot you may be able to break open the rack or spin behind it.
Rod.

CueTable Help


The same shot, or something very similar, comes up even more often on the opposite side for me. Your example is an offensive shot - how much more often do defensive shots occur?

pj
chgo
 
The same shot, or something very similar, comes up even more often on the opposite side for me. Your example is an offensive shot - how much more often do defensive shots occur?

pj
chgo

I don't know, but you can walk right up and easily shoot whichever from the opposite side.
Rod.
 
I've seen some very good players break from the opposite side, as you do. However they are in the minority. I believe as you gain experience playing one pocket, you'll change your opinion, as you seem to be very analytical.
Rod.------ some people _will_ agree with me on this.


All things being equal right handers break from the right and lefties from the left. There are some tables at my hall that funnel balls into the RH corner pocket. Naturally I switch sides on that table.
 
All things being equal right handers break from the right and lefties from the left. There are some tables at my hall that funnel balls into the RH corner pocket. Naturally I switch sides on that table.

IF you're are standing at the foot of the table, RHP's face the rack and break from the left side towards the RH pocket, thus not shooting across your body. ( see WEI table layout a few posts back) the LHP is bellyhooked shooting at the RH pocket on many key shots.

Rod.
PS; all things being equal, of course. If one pocket is very favorable, you must break for that, or you'll have the bad pocket every game.
 
IF you're are standing at the foot of the table, RHP's face the rack and break from the left side towards the RH pocket, thus not shooting across your body. ( see WEI table layout a few posts back) the LHP is bellyhooked shooting at the RH pocket on many key shots.

You maintain that one pocket players should choose to be most comfortable when shooting toward their side. I suppose that's because you feel those shots are the most important (correct me if I'm wrong).

I like being most comfortable when shooting away from my side, for two reasons:

1. Most of my shots are away from my side (because that's where my #$%^!!&*&@! opponent leaves me).

2. Shots from my side usually require more finesse and control, especially better cue ball control.

pj
chgo
 
you always break for the easy pocket. if there isnt one then you break at the pocket that does the most harm to your opponent. if he is fat or short you break so he uses the bridge more. if he is tall give yourself the easy reach. and generally break on the same side he likes so he doesnt get his favorite pocket twice in a row.
 
Give me your opinion

you always break for the easy pocket. if there isnt one then you break at the pocket that does the most harm to your opponent. if he is fat or short you break so he uses the bridge more. if he is tall give yourself the easy reach. and generally break on the same side he likes so he doesnt get his favorite pocket twice in a row.


I play a guy who uses a cue extender and a jump cue.

When we play 9 ball I don't mind him using either.

When we play 1 pocket he refrains from using the jump cue but will grab for the extender.

IMO, neither should be allowed in any game other than 9 ball or 10 ball.

Paul......Maybe I'll start a poll
 
I play a guy who uses a cue extender and a jump cue.

When we play 9 ball I don't mind him using either.

When we play 1 pocket he refrains from using the jump cue but will grab for the extender.

IMO, neither should be allowed in any game other than 9 ball or 10 ball.

Paul......Maybe I'll start a poll

I am sorry, but I disagree...like golf, advancements in tools are necessary for a game to grow. A good player will know what his opponent has in his bag and play that to his advantage. I sometimes even smile when I see a kid go grab a jump cue in a game. A) He probably ain't accurate with it and B) He just wants to show off. The guy that jacks up with his playing cue, that worries me. As far as cue extenders, that's just called nature taking it's course. I don't think it affects the shot nearly as much as a jump cue. More often than not, the guys with the cue extenders use them without a bridge, which to me makes them more inaccurate. The guys that take their time and use BOTH like they should be used, well they get my respect.

Roller
 
my one pocket break

ok So i stole my break from "The Truck Driver" and i kick at the rack.

your standing at the head of the table looking at the rack and lets say you want the pocket on the right side "claim it" then place the cue ball on the right side of the table near the 2nd diamond then shoot with high english into the 1st diamond after the side pocket on the left side about a med stroke and you should land right between the 2nd and 3rd ball and glue the cue ball there while 3-5 balls go to your hole and he has no shot.

Hope i didnt confuse you.

but it works great and you never scratch!

and if someones never seen it before there left baffled lol

:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Last edited:
One Pocket "gypsy" break

ok So i stole my break from "The Truck Driver" and i kick at the rack.

your standing at the head of the table looking at the rack and lets say you want the pocket on the right side "claim it" then place the cue ball on the right side of the table near the 2nd diamond then shoot with high english into the 1st diamond after the side pocket on the left side about a med stroke and you should land right between the 2nd and 3rd ball and glue the cue ball there while 3-5 balls go to your hole and he has no shot.

Hope i didnt confuse you.

but it works great and you never scratch!

and if someones never seen it before there left baffled lol

:thumbup::thumbup:

Trent:

This one pocket break you describe, kicking at the rack towards your pocket, is called a "gypsy" break. While quite effective when hit correctly, the "gypsy" break is *very* dangerous. For one, if you happen to not hit the contact balls (in the rack) correctly, you take a chance of "skipping off" one of the balls, caroming into the next ball down (or up) the rack, and selling out the corner ball on your opponent's side. Because the "gypsy" break's kick angle results in a much more perpendicular hit on the rack than a standard one pocket break (hence why the scratch is minimized), you tend to hit the target ball too full, and instead of a "glancing blow" as occurs in a standard one pocket break, all of the cue ball's energy gets absorbed into the rack, and the chance of that corner ball leaking out and selling out is increased.

That's why you never see this break used in any tournament setting (e.g. you'll never see Efren or Cliff Joyner use a "gypsy" break). However, as with anything, different people have different skillsets, so perhaps you've mastered the "gypsy" break to the point where you've learned how to minimize that corner ball leaking out. Or else you've long ago weighed the risks with the reward, and decided -- for you -- that the rewards outweigh the risks.

Anyway, I hope this is helpful,
-Sean
 
N.c.

does anyone else break like me??? or have a irregular onepocket break???


A gentleman by the name of Hooker used to use that exact same break back in the day out in Kinston, North Carolina whenever he was playin' against Sparky Ferrell. The break itself worked very well for him, but that's where this story ends...don't feel like knockin' either one of those fellas action. Quite a show though...two great characters. :D
 
this break works great for me and typically if i hit it good the oponets corner ball wont come out and if it does, hes usually smothered in the rack and doesnt have a shot. i think its the best to use but thats for my game not for others.
 
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