1Pocket Break Value

lfigueroa

lfigueroa

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Just curious on the opinions out there on this: what in your view is the value of the break at 1pocket? A ball? Two balls? Three? Or somewhere in between?

If you have an opinion, I'd be interested in hearing a justification (or defense, if you will), of what you think it's worth.

Lou Figueroa
 
lfigueroa said:
Just curious on the opinions out there on this: what in your view is the value of the break at 1pocket? A ball? Two balls? Three? Or somewhere in between?

If you have an opinion, I'd be interested in hearing a justification (or defense, if you will), of what you think it's worth.

Lou Figueroa
Click to expand...

One thing I feel pretty confident about is the idea that the value of the break is, in part, dependent on the skill of the player who is breaking. For really weak players, the break may be worth a ball or slightly less. For strong players, it's worth more than a ball, maybe as much as a ball and a half. It seems unlikely to me that it would ever be worth two or more balls unless someone discovers some devastating break technique. Just my $.02.
 
I watched a 1 hole match on youtube recently, and the commentator said the break is a 25% advantage to win the game.
 
Depends on the skill level of the player.

Like what was posted previously it depends on the skill level of the players. I was in Chicago at Chris Billiards last week and watch to guys playing and they were both making the wing ball on the break like it was no big deal and one guy was good for 2 to 3 balls on his break and the weaker player was good for only 2. Damdest thing I ever saw in my short pool life. Now in the south where I am hardly see the wing ball made on the break by some of the best players in this region and they may lose 2 out of six games on the break.
 
BillPorter said:
One thing I feel pretty confident about is the idea that the value of the break is, in part, dependent on the skill of the player who is breaking. For really weak players, the break may be worth a ball or slightly less. For strong players, it's worth more than a ball, maybe as much as a ball and a half. It seems unlikely to me that it would ever be worth two or more balls unless someone discovers some devastating break technique. Just my $.02.
Click to expand...

I agree with Bill and I would also add it depends on the strength of the non-breaking opponent. Some people can get out of the best breaks imaginable more often than not.

-don
 
1 Pocket Break Value

I would like to hear how a player like Grady decides on the amount of weight. He probably has a formula for it.
 
break alternative

here's a power one pocket break alternative, the breaker's pocket is on the same side as the cueball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAsHMg_Oyvc

If you practice it you might find it puts your opponent in some rough situations. If you're playing a guy who's a little better than you on moving it's a great way to shake them up some.
 
JesseAllred said:
here's a power one pocket break alternative, the breaker's pocket is on the same side as the cueball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAsHMg_Oyvc

If you practice it you might find it puts your opponent in some rough situations. If you're playing a guy who's a little better than you on moving it's a great way to shake them up some.
Click to expand...

As usual , great stuff, thanks Jesse.
I have a regular sparring partner I give 9 to 6. he moves real well but won't take any chances at all so the games are boring and I have to try to create shots based on a tough first shot.
This break will ruin his whole mindset lol.
 
Agreed that it depends on strength of the players. I would guess 1-1.5 balls. As for that guys power break, some were good, others he would be in trouble with some of the guys I play. Gotta get whitey all the way on the end rail for sure or there could be issues to deal with.
 
BillPorter said:
One thing I feel pretty confident about is the idea that the value of the break is, in part, dependent on the skill of the player who is breaking. For really weak players, the break may be worth a ball or slightly less. For strong players, it's worth more than a ball, maybe as much as a ball and a half. It seems unlikely to me that it would ever be worth two or more balls unless someone discovers some devastating break technique. Just my $.02.
Click to expand...


Bill, I agree. But I think part of the formula is the skill of the guy who has to volley. If he's weak, he's going to have more trouble getting out of the break. Stronger, less. Do you agree?

Lou Figueroa
 
Frankenstroke said:
I watched a 1 hole match on youtube recently, and the commentator said the break is a 25% advantage to win the game.
Click to expand...


Do you remember the name of the commentator and/or their qualifications to make that statement? What was their thought process on throwing out a number like that?

Lou Figueroa
 
Chi2dxa said:
Like what was posted previously it depends on the skill level of the players. I was in Chicago at Chris Billiards last week and watch to guys playing and they were both making the wing ball on the break like it was no big deal and one guy was good for 2 to 3 balls on his break and the weaker player was good for only 2. Damdest thing I ever saw in my short pool life. Now in the south where I am hardly see the wing ball made on the break by some of the best players in this region and they may lose 2 out of six games on the break.
Click to expand...


The ball on the break thing is usually a passing table specific thing. IOW, the balls just end up racking perfect and that will sometimes happen several times in a row. There's a way to stop that :-) And, it doesn't happen all that often.

Lou Figueroa
 
Thecoats said:
I agree with Bill and I would also add it depends on the strength of the non-breaking opponent. Some people can get out of the best breaks imaginable more often than not.

-don
Click to expand...


Agreed. Some guys are so weak they can't get out of a wet paper bag.

Lou Figueroa
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
Believe it was GRADY who in a TAPE, SAID Break = 1.5 Ball Advantage!
Click to expand...


Well, right. But that was a general rule of thumb for a game between two evenly matched players. What about a superstar vs a slub? Would you then say it's still worth 1.5?

Lou Figueroa
 
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JesseAllred said:
here's a power one pocket break alternative, the breaker's pocket is on the same side as the cueball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAsHMg_Oyvc

If you practice it you might find it puts your opponent in some rough situations. If you're playing a guy who's a little better than you on moving it's a great way to shake them up some.
Click to expand...


That's crazy. I'd never seen that before, thanks. What's interesting to me, as a 14.1 player, is how much the balls move to wards the left pocket, shooting from that side.

So... is it something you just pull out of your hat (or somewhere else :-) to shake things up, or would you try this in some other scenarios?

Lou Figueroa
 
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book collector said:
As usual , great stuff, thanks Jesse.
I have a regular sparring partner I give 9 to 6. he moves real well but won't take any chances at all so the games are boring and I have to try to create shots based on a tough first shot.
This break will ruin his whole mindset lol.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. There's a guy I play occasionally and I can't wait to uncork this one on him :-)

Lou Figueroa
 
onepocketron said:
Agreed that it depends on strength of the players. I would guess 1-1.5 balls. As for that guys power break, some were good, others he would be in trouble with some of the guys I play. Gotta get whitey all the way on the end rail for sure or there could be issues to deal with.
Click to expand...


Oh yeah -- if you don't get whitey back there you're a dead duck. And even if you get him all the way back, there are plenty of straight shooters that are perfectly comfortable off the back rail.

Now, against mere mortals in your neighborhood, it could be fun.

Lou Figueroa
 
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