I found these 5 break shots diagrams on the web. Which break is the best and why?
3 Cushion Break Shots
- Thread starter billiardshot
- Start date
I would think the 2nd diagram, since it's the only one shown scoring. 
I believe the Japanese text below the diagrams attempts to explain problems when playing the break, like what causes missing long/short or getting a kiss. It looks like they keep the hit the same (the red paths only differ in length) while using the indicated spin and/or speed to get the different paths. Personally, I don't agree with their indications.
Traditionally, the best way to play the break is to score on the 3rd ball either full in the face, or slightly on the long side so that it trickles into the corner area. Meanwhile, the red goes 3 rails to the same long rail (the exact position depends on the speed of the equipment). Jaspers seems to like to place the red more towards the middle than the long rail, so there's not even agreement among top players.
I think most room players hit the shot too hard and with too much spin. Too hard makes controlling the red difficult, and too much spin makes it easy to go too long unless you hit it harder to compensate (thus the usual combination).
It's such an easy shot that you definitely need to be aggressive and play softly for position. I play for slightly less than a 1/2-ball hit in order to pass the crossing point before the red to avoid the kiss off the 3rd rail. I use 1:30 english at most and modulate my speed to hit the long side of the 3rd ball. If I find that the red is traveling too far for the speed needed to score properly, then I'll start shooting more of a middle ball with the same spin to get back on the correct path. The only time I'll use more sidespin is on very short tables with old cloth.
Btw, I notice that the bottom diagram has the ball placed on the left starting position instead of the right. There's no difference - it's completely symmetrical and is only a matter of preference. That said, if you score on the top of the white and it ends up in the middle of the short rail, you might have to stretch to use it first for the following shot if you're right-handed and start from the right side. This is a minor point.
Robert
I believe the Japanese text below the diagrams attempts to explain problems when playing the break, like what causes missing long/short or getting a kiss. It looks like they keep the hit the same (the red paths only differ in length) while using the indicated spin and/or speed to get the different paths. Personally, I don't agree with their indications.
Traditionally, the best way to play the break is to score on the 3rd ball either full in the face, or slightly on the long side so that it trickles into the corner area. Meanwhile, the red goes 3 rails to the same long rail (the exact position depends on the speed of the equipment). Jaspers seems to like to place the red more towards the middle than the long rail, so there's not even agreement among top players.
I think most room players hit the shot too hard and with too much spin. Too hard makes controlling the red difficult, and too much spin makes it easy to go too long unless you hit it harder to compensate (thus the usual combination).
It's such an easy shot that you definitely need to be aggressive and play softly for position. I play for slightly less than a 1/2-ball hit in order to pass the crossing point before the red to avoid the kiss off the 3rd rail. I use 1:30 english at most and modulate my speed to hit the long side of the 3rd ball. If I find that the red is traveling too far for the speed needed to score properly, then I'll start shooting more of a middle ball with the same spin to get back on the correct path. The only time I'll use more sidespin is on very short tables with old cloth.
Btw, I notice that the bottom diagram has the ball placed on the left starting position instead of the right. There's no difference - it's completely symmetrical and is only a matter of preference. That said, if you score on the top of the white and it ends up in the middle of the short rail, you might have to stretch to use it first for the following shot if you're right-handed and start from the right side. This is a minor point.
Robert
Robert Raiford said:I would think the 2nd diagram, since it's the only one shown scoring.
...Robert
That's what I say too!
Not included there is break shot I saw used all the time by one player (at Tiff Payne's in LA?) many years ago. Play an umbrella shot -- two cushions out of the far corner to red and then a side rail to the other ball. I think I saw him make it once. Or maybe he hit the red ball once. In Europe I think they restrict such people to the 8-foot tables.billiardshot said:
Bob Jewett said:
Speaking of crazy break shots, I diagrammed a few more here:
6 Guaranteed Ways to Lose the Opening Break Advantage
Good thing I don't live in Europe.
Robert
Robert Raiford said:
I like 4 and 6! NExt time I am mad at myself, I'll give them some tries!
Robert Raiford said:Speaking of crazy break shots, I diagrammed a few more here:
6 Guaranteed Ways to Lose the Opening Break Advantage
Good thing I don't live in Europe.
Robert
Raiford, any chance you could download or put these diagrams on this forum or do
another video with this information on youtube. For some reason I cannot view.
I been told I'm missing a [XTRA program]
when I clickto view your diagram.
Bob Watson
billiardshot said:Raiford, any chance you could download or put these diagrams on this forum or do
another video with this information on youtube. For some reason I cannot view.
I been told I'm missing a [XTRA program]
to view your diagram.
Bob Watson
Hi Bob,
You will need Adobe Shockwave Player Plug in to view the CueTable diagrams, please see here:
http://pl.cuetable.com/showthread.php?t=711
This is a list of common CueTable Tech Issues:
http://pl.cuetable.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35
Thank you
Bob Jewett said:
I remember that guy at Tiff's, but I remember the shot differently. It was more like Robert's shot #6 except he used maximum english and went from the red directly to the end rail and then the spin brings it back toward the second object ball. IMO this shot is much easier than either the umbrella or Robert's #6 since it's basically just a half ball hit on the red. IIRC the guy at Tiff's made it regularly.
Mark
Last edited:
You might be right. I think I saw it only a couple of times and he didn't score.mbvl said:
Wei, the shockwave was downloaded months back. Either I/others must of deleted something by mistake ? Hopefully I can find the problem before- Doing a restore!!??cuetable said:Hi Bob,
You will need Adobe Shockwave Player Plug in to view the CueTable diagrams, please see here:
http://pl.cuetable.com/showthread.php?t=711
This is a list of common CueTable Tech Issues:
http://pl.cuetable.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35
Thank you
Still would like to see diagrams!
billiardshot said:
Check your PMs for screenshot links.
Robert
Thank you Robert.
Thank all I back to been able to view and operate cuetable program. Wish I
could give you rep cuetable and Raiford, but I will have to wait a while.
could give you rep cuetable and Raiford, but I will have to wait a while.
3-cushion break shot stupidity
Hey Robert,
What's wrong with the very simple long angle drop-in off the red?
It's a cookie!
Or how about banking out of the near corner 3 cushions to the long side of the red, giving you 2 ways to score on the 3rd ball after it hits the red?
Jim
Hey Robert,
What's wrong with the very simple long angle drop-in off the red?
It's a cookie!
Or how about banking out of the near corner 3 cushions to the long side of the red, giving you 2 ways to score on the 3rd ball after it hits the red?
Jim
jimshovak said:
Hi Jim, it's good to see you showing up around here!
I've diagrammed the two shots you mentioned, the one Mark described from the guy at Tiff's, as well as six more crazies (cuetable is fun - I couldn't help myself):
9 More Ways To Lose the Opening Break Advantage
I just thought of the last one while drawing the others, but have never tried it. The SLIO in NYC next week should provide some nice fast tables to test it out.
Robert