2nd ball break in 8ball on 9ft table?

[gxman]

I play mostly 8ball on a 9ft table. I tried about 8 racks of 2nd ball break the other day and only had 1 dry break I think. Mostly dropping 2-3 balls.

My ~1ft off center aiming at the head ball at 18-20mph, dropping a ball on a break is maybe 50/50. The balls are generally scattered very good, but I get annoyed when I hit a bad streak of 2-3 dry breaks in a row.

My only gripe with my small sample of 2nd ball break is the clusters of balls. I do let up and not break as hard.

This is with my buddy racking(loser racks, ~75% of time its him) on a very slow cloth table.We really don't put much effort ensuring the rack is real tight since its just a friendly game.

I'm wanting high percentage of wet breaks and good scatter so I can have a shot at a BNR.


Thoughts on 2nd ball breaks on a 9ft table?

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

I've tried it but haven't experienced much advantage. Depending on the table and the conditions at the time it may yield better results, but not necessarily.

The two problems I have with the 2nd ball break are issues regardless of the table or conditions - I don't like to let the CB go because it all too frequently tends to find a hole to crawl into and, if hit too hard and not just right whitey can go overboard.

Obviously these are my conclusions based on my experience and YMMV.

 

[Zphix]

Very interesting topic and I'm glad you brought it up.

If you look at the statistics of dry breaks on first ball vs. second ball break contact, you'll see that breaking on the 2nd ball actually results in more balls potted.

The balls (in a tighter rack) explode from the center outward in a 2nd ball break, and you've got to apply low left or right English (right if you break from the right rail, and left from the left rail).

When I play around with 8-ball breaking, I tend to find that accuracy is more important than power in the 2nd ball break yet... it results in a more even spread across the table.

Also, I usually break from the left side about a balls length from the 2nd diamond and aim fully for the 2nd ball because it transfers more energy to the 8 than a regular 8ball break, and you're more likely to pocket the 8 in the side.

-Richard

 

[justadub]

I've been using the second ball break for a few weeks now, on our 9-footers, as I'm actively trying to get just one damned 8-on-the-break this session

I get clusters, every time. That's not a bad thing, as it stops the better players from running out on me, and it gives the lesser players fits.

 

[obrien714]

Try this and report ur findings

I have fooled w the 8ball break. If a table is breaking bad I will move to the 3rd ball. I use a 3rd ball break on the 9 footer. Give it a try. I have told a few guys in league to try it when we play on slow shitty tables. They don't believe me and make no balls and I make 2-3.