Bar box 8 ball break- head on or 2nd ball?

Tin Man

Tin Man

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I've noticed many top bar box 8 ball players that possess monster breaks use the second ball. I know that it can be effective, and they feel that they are better able to handle the more often clustered table than their opponent, but I have never been converted.

Which is the better break? Should I use the head on primarily, then switch if the balls aren't going in? Should I learn and use the 2nd ball break exclusively? Should I never play bar box 8 ball again and strictly play big tables?

Help!
 
Tin Man said:
I've noticed many top bar box 8 ball players that possess monster breaks use the second ball. I know that it can be effective, and they feel that they are better able to handle the more often clustered table than their opponent, but I have never been converted.

Which is the better break? Should I use the head on primarily, then switch if the balls aren't going in? Should I learn and use the 2nd ball break exclusively? Should I never play bar box 8 ball again and strictly play big tables?

Help!
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I don't always break from head on but I do always hit the head ball square. I never use the 2nd ball to break. I just don't like it and/or feel comfortable with it. It all comes down to personal preference if you ask me. So you should do whatever you want to do and be happy. JMHO.

BVal
 
I get a much higher % of balls being pocketed on the 2nd ball break but get a much more open table with the head-on break on average. Plus I can generally keep the cue ball mid-table with a head-on break, but not so much with a 2nd ball break on average. I tend to use the head-on break against weaker players because of the confidence that they wont run out w/o giving me a shot if I don't make one on the break. I use the 2nd ball break on even or better players usually, not always though.
 
Tin Man said:
I've noticed many top bar box 8 ball players that possess monster breaks use the second ball. I know that it can be effective, and they feel that they are better able to handle the more often clustered table than their opponent, but I have never been converted.

Which is the better break? Should I use the head on primarily, then switch if the balls aren't going in? Should I learn and use the 2nd ball break exclusively? Should I never play bar box 8 ball again and strictly play big tables?

Help!
Click to expand...

I use second ball break but I will quickly abandon it it if I scratch or break dry to many times. Cue ball position after a second ball break sucks compared to head ball breaks. The choices of shots or even having a shot are more remote.

Most people second ball break with draw and sometimes add their preferred English as well. I found that with the English used on the wei I get better cue ball positions and usually make a ball.

CueTable Help

 
For me, I tend to launch the cue ball off the table way too often on a barbox than on a 9-footer when doing the second-ball break. So I generally avoid it on barboxes.
 
If my opponent gives me a loose rack, I'll hit the second ball and try to sink the 8. With a tight rack, I'll aim for the head ball. A head-ball-break, for me, leads to a better spread and a better chance to run out.
 
The head ball break will give you a better spread. But if you don't make something, and you are playing a decent player, you can figure the game is over.
 
You should learn both..... as a matter of fact, there are about 7 bar table breaks that you should be *more* than familiar with, if you are going to play bar table 8-ball seriously. If not seriously, then just use what you feel comfortable with.

You will find such a variance with bar tables and how each one breaks that at some point or another you will need all of them. Learn to vary your speed and the %hit on the ball you strike. It's really not a secret as much as it is knowing how to do many different things and knowing when to do them. Practice.....a lot. In 8-ball, the break and the choice immediately after are what separates the crowd. If you can't break, then you lose on both counts.

Now, go get your cue and go practice!!!!!:D

Tammie
 
Eieio59 said:
You should learn both..... as a matter of fact, there are about 7 bar table breaks that you should be *more* than familiar with, if you are going to play bar table 8-ball seriously. If not seriously, then just use what you feel comfortable with.

You will find such a variance with bar tables and how each one breaks that at some point or another you will need all of them. Learn to vary your speed and the %hit on the ball you strike. It's really not a secret as much as it is knowing how to do many different things and knowing when to do them. Practice.....a lot. In 8-ball, the break and the choice immediately after are what separates the crowd. If you can't break, then you lose on both counts.

Now, go get your cue and go practice!!!!!:D

Tammie
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A lotta truth in this post. I would like to add that Joe Tuckers racking secrets (Book) really got me to look at the rack and break it accordingly. Sometimes I get lazy and don't look the rack over...shame on me.

But if there is a good break line in the rack; weather its head ball, second ball or third ball I'll go for it even if a ball has rolled off.
 
2nd Ball Break on a bar box, for sure ... Hit the CB firmly with moderate draw and watch the 8 Ball magically head for the side pocket every time ... You will makes balls every time using this break on a bar box ...
 
Str8PoolPlayer said:
2nd Ball Break on a bar box, for sure ... Hit the CB firmly with moderate draw and watch the 8 Ball magically head for the side pocket every time ... You will makes balls every time using this break on a bar box ...
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There are millions of different bar tables in millions of different conditions. there is no EVERYTIME. come show me a break that will sink balls on a slugbox, an aramith magnocue box, a oversized or undersized cue ball box. C'mon man there is no secret recipe.

The more time I have on any table the better I can break on it. I hit the head ball with a medium stiff stop shot and exaggerate my follow through as a break shot every break on an 8ball box. I start with cue ball at the head spot and move it one inch to the right ( or left depends on your preference) each time till I find the spot for that box and once I find it I can be pretty consistent with the break. with less or no practice time I start at the head spot ,over one diamond to the right( or left) and work back towards the center. I rarely get a bad spread and fairly consistently pocket at least one ball.
 
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