Does anyone know how to make a 8 ball safety break. This would be where 4 balls hit a rail and you did not leave a shot (other then a safety) for the incoming shooter.
8 ball safety break
- Thread starter calcuttaman
- Start date
Even with a safety break, you will more than likely leave a shot for your opponent. The goal of the safety break is to make the smallest disturbance on the rack that will still drive 4 balls to a rail. You are trying to leave a mass of tied-up balls to ensure that your opponent cannot run out (even if he can make a couple of balls when he gets to the table.
So, you are taking a gamble... you are trading a possible break and run (by you) or successful break and safety (by you), for a game where you will have to beat your opponent in a prolonged game using safeties and smarts.
So, you are taking a gamble... you are trading a possible break and run (by you) or successful break and safety (by you), for a game where you will have to beat your opponent in a prolonged game using safeties and smarts.
calcuttaman said:
I shoot a two way break in 8-ball most of the time. I've explained it elsewhere on AZ, but basically I hit the second ball about 53% speed with OUTSIDE english, so the cueball goes to the side rail where it is killed and it drifts down to near the foot rail and stops there. Usually, the result is a tough shot up table or a severe back cut into a foot corner or a tricky cut into the side or, my favorite, a there's a perfect safety to play after the break. If you don't happen to pot anything, your opponent is left tough.
I practice these leaves more than most so I have the advantage most of the time, imho.
Jeff Livingston
calcuttaman said:
I have accomplished many a SAFETY BREAK, in 8-Ball, by using draw on the Cue Ball, to retrieve it to the Head Rail. The obvious requirement is proper speed, so the CB can get back to the Head Rail & the rack isn't scattered into the kitchen.
Granted, it doesn't work 100% of the time, but it is disconcerting to your opponent, when you do this at hiil-hill, rather than the usual OPEN BREAK.
My safety break is pretty simple. I hit the second ball in the rack. I sometimes make a ball and always leave a shot after the break. The reason it is a safety break is; the balls congregate to the side you break from. Making the table cluster up real bad.
This is just about impossible to run out. Nobody EVER runs out these racks. Well, not true, but I am assured a chance back at the table 99% of the time and thats why I do it.
I use this on players who can run out on me. Sometimes it is the only way to get an extra turn at the table when you are playing a top speed player.
I feel more comfortable playing the safety/strategy game so this works for me. If I bust the rack open, its a coin flip. If I don't run out, my opponent will. I like my chance better with the strategy.
If you are a lesser player than me, I spread the table real nice, let you run as many as you can (if I do not break and run) to get all your balls out of my way. I then proceed to get out on you.
This is just about impossible to run out. Nobody EVER runs out these racks. Well, not true, but I am assured a chance back at the table 99% of the time and thats why I do it.
I use this on players who can run out on me. Sometimes it is the only way to get an extra turn at the table when you are playing a top speed player.
I feel more comfortable playing the safety/strategy game so this works for me. If I bust the rack open, its a coin flip. If I don't run out, my opponent will. I like my chance better with the strategy.
If you are a lesser player than me, I spread the table real nice, let you run as many as you can (if I do not break and run) to get all your balls out of my way. I then proceed to get out on you.
When I do a safety break I break from the left side and use bottom english. I aim for the 3rd ball with not much power. I hit it just hard enough to where the cue ball will start spinning forward instead of backward at the point of impact. 4 or 5 balls will come out and go back towards the rack. The cue ball will usually end up on the short rail by the left pocket with a 50/50 chance of a clear shot at a pocket. Besides that one shot, you'll have to really think on that game. LOL.
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