9-Ball Power Break...do you really need it?

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
I think we can all agree that the break in 9-ball is a big part of the game. For about 5 years now I've been studying player's breaks and have come with a few conclusions. Power breaks use to work well on most tables before the Diamond Pro tables became the table of choice for many tournaments and action matches. Also not too many years ago the corner pockets on a lot of tables were over 4 ½".

My conclusion is that on a Diamond and a good percentage of other tables with pockets 4 ½" and under a hard to med-hard- break works best…not a power break. If you watch the balls in slow motion on a power break on a Diamond you'll see just as many balls rattle in pockets that would go in with a softer break or a table that had a bit larger pockets or a less of a shelf. As far as the soft break w/o pattern racking…I don't see much of an advantage. With pattern racking it's a big advantage for those that practice it and can control it.

In 10-ball you seem to make more balls with the power break. Mostly that is the 1-ball or 2nd ball in the side and the two back corner balls going 3 or 4 rails and back in one of the corner pockets at the foot of the table.
 
Johnnyt said:
I think we can all agree that the break in 9-ball is a big part of the game. For about 5 years now I've been studying player's breaks and have come with a few conclusions. Power breaks use to work well on most tables before the Diamond Pro tables became the table of choice for many tournaments and action matches. Also not too many years ago the corner pockets on a lot of tables were over 4 ½".

My conclusion is that on a Diamond and a good percentage of other tables with pockets 4 ½" and under a hard to med-hard- break works best…not a power break. If you watch the balls in slow motion on a power break on a Diamond you'll see just as many balls rattle in pockets that would go in with a softer break or a table that had a bit larger pockets or a less of a shelf. As far as the soft break w/o pattern racking…I don't see much of an advantage. With pattern racking it's a big advantage for those that practice it and can control it.

In 10-ball you seem to make more balls with the power break. Mostly that is the 1-ball or 2nd ball in the side and the two back corner balls going 3 or 4 rails and back in one of the corner pockets at the foot of the table.
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I would say due to cloth more than table. I do agree though, guys don't seem to hit them as hard.
 
The owner of our pool hall has implemented/invented a new handicapping system and one of the rules is that after the break, it doesn't matter if you make a ball or not, it's still your shot. This is true for 8-ball, 9-ball and 10-ball. It takes out all of the luck of making a ball on the break. It's the only rule change from standard play. (Oh, and it's alternate break format during his "game")

So, soft break, hard break, it doesn't matter, so long as you play shape for the 1 ball off the break. More skill involved. You can still pushout and stuff too.
 
Nature Boy said:
Of course you need the power break. If for no other reason, it is cool.
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LMAO Nature Boy. There is much wisdom in your jest. The harder the break the bigger your di*k. It's fact.

I really think most players are motivated to break hard because of ego, not because they improve their chance of winning.

When you reach for one too many MPH on your break you may as well keep a bottle of this handy:


itching to say ...jpg
 
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