8-ball break question

tjlmbklr

tjlmbklr

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I currently play on an 8-ball league that plays 8-ball break counts as a win. It's kind of a house set of rules slightly modified from BCA's rules. In the past I have played a vast assortment of bar leagues that all play the 8-ball counts as a win. At one time I had my technique down to either making a few balls on the break, with a good chance on the 8 flying out of the pack. Or just plain making the 8. Now I know most of us are aware when a person is going for the 8 and when they are just trying to bust them up hoping for something to fall. Usually you see the person putting the cue ball close to the side rail and usually at the second diamond up (give or take). But what I hate is when someone was just going for just a normal break and lucks the 8 in and hoots and hollors that he made the 8, but all experienced players know that there is a particular place to break that increases your odds. I myself don't feel good when I luck in the 8, there’s no skill behind it, and it just lucked in. Now I know a wins a win, but I like to feel good about what I am doing.

Well anyway, to my point. What technique do you guys/gals use? The reason I ask is I have been out of the 8-ball break game for a while, because I was playing a BCA league. Now I've lost my technique. I have been finding that if I move the CB back further I can hit with more velocity (without flying the CB off the table or scratching in the corner). I just want the opinion of as many people as possible so I can work on perfecting it once again. Here is what has been working best for me.



START(
%AN7O5%BL7P8%CJ5O4%DL7N1%EM7P1%FK6P1%GK6N8%HL5O4%IM5N7%JK6M5
%KJ5P7%LJ5N2%MK6Q4%NJ5R0%OJ5M0%Pp2D8%YO2N1%Zo5E2%eB4b4
)END

I hit it with a med/hard stroke with good follow through, aiming at the second ball.

Now I know there are a lot of variations; like aiming between the second and third, aiming just at the third, or aiming through the rack to the middle ball in the back of the rack. Please be specific!

http://cuetable.com/WeiTable/
 
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I have had great success using a strong 'push' type stroke hitting the second ball as you do, but focussing on just barely missing the head ball. I usually make a ball, but also, frequently., make the shot. Key point is the stroke, smooth and easy with a great deal of confidence in making a good solid hit on the number two ball "pushing' the cue ball through the rack. Good luck.
 
Things move so fast on this forumI had to bring it back to the top because I need to see responses.
 
Against better players I hit the 2nd ball with about 75% power...trying to snap in the 8...plus it leaves the balls often more clustered and I find that an advantage. I'd rather have a safety type thinking game and not let the superior player have looks at an open table.
Against weaker opponents...I dial up the power & hit the first ball as square as possible trying to park my rock in the center of the table and leaving a much more open layout. At least thats the plan...but of course often you must change and take whatever seems to work best on that particular table/conditions.
 
2nd ball, full as possible breaking from the side, near the rail and string, cue 4 o'clock from right, 8 o'clock from left.
 
Deadon said:
2nd ball, full as possible breaking from the side, near the rail and string, cue 4 o'clock from right, 8 o'clock from left.
Click to expand...

...and keep cue level, driving tip into cloth...

...and hit 58.23567% speed.

Jeff Livingston
 
Varney Cues said:
Against better players I hit the 2nd ball with about 75% power...trying to snap in the 8...plus it leaves the balls often more clustered and I find that an advantage. I'd rather have a safety type thinking game and not let the superior player have looks at an open table.
Against weaker opponents...I dial up the power & hit the first ball as square as possible trying to park my rock in the center of the table and leaving a much more open layout. At least thats the plan...but of course often you must change and take whatever seems to work best on that particular table/conditions.
Click to expand...


Kevin; you know what's great about the J/B cue I bought from you? You are still able to put english on the CB. the surface of the canvas resin tip holds the chalk good for even masse on jump shots!

(anyone know how to put this ` on the top of a letter)
 
chefjeff said:
...and keep cue level, driving tip into cloth...

...and hit 58.23567% speed.

Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...

Remember back in the days when those crazy kids would hit 61.87650%

Man those were the days.
 
I think when hitting the second ball in it's important to stay on the headstring rather than farther back as shown on your wei table because you get a better angle for a fuller hit on the second ball. As for speed, I prefer something close to 46.78945309847% give or take 5.343454425% :p

CueTable Help

 
Try this if you are trying to make the 8 on the break:

START(
%AN7O5%BL7P8%CJ5O4%DL7N1%EM7P1%FK6P1%GK6N8%HL5O4%IM5N7%JK6M5
%KJ5P7%LJ5N2%MK6Q4%NJ5R0%OJ5M0%Ph3D9%YN3M2%Zg4E0%eB4b4
)END

http://endeavor.med.nyu.edu/~wei/pool/pooltable2.html

You can experiment with the type of english you want to use, I choose low left for this break.
 
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Originally Posted by tjlmbklr
Remember back in the days when those crazy kids would hit 61.87650%

Man those were the days.


I saw someone do that last night at the tournament I was at.

Oh the memories it brought back. Of course the CB went flying off the table but it was still an enjoyable experience. (especially since I ran out on him :p )
 
Varney Cues said:
Against better players I hit the 2nd ball with about 75% power...trying to snap in the 8...plus it leaves the balls often more clustered and I find that an advantage. I'd rather have a safety type thinking game and not let the superior player have looks at an open table.
Against weaker opponents...I dial up the power & hit the first ball as square as possible trying to park my rock in the center of the table and leaving a much more open layout. At least thats the plan...but of course often you must change and take whatever seems to work best on that particular table/conditions.
Click to expand...

This is some very good advice. If I am breaking well and consistently making a ball on the break I will hit the first ball hard to spread them out. If i am not breaking well or running any racks, I will go to a softer second ball break and try to leave some clusters.
 
supergreenman said:
Originally Posted by tjlmbklr
Remember back in the days when those crazy kids would hit 61.87650%

Man those were the days.


I saw someone do that last night at the tournament I was at.

Oh the memories it brought back. Of course the CB went flying off the table but it was still an enjoyable experience. (especially since I ran out on him :p )
Click to expand...

Has any AZer NOT ran out on a crazy kid who breaks with the ferocity of a 61.87650% break?
 
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