barbox breaking

justadub

justadub

Rattling corners nightly
Silver Member
I've never played barbox before (only 9-footers in my very brief pool career) and my league state tourney is gonna be held on them on Saturday. Diamonds, pretty new and in good shape as I understand it. Supposed to be VERY fast, new cloth.

What advice can you give regarding breaking on the barbox? (This is 8-ball I'm speaking about.) I'm not one to really bust up a table, but I can make a pretty good spread if I like on a 9-footer. I usually don't hit full out nowadays, preferring the controlled spread. But the barbox is a different animal, or so I'm led to believe.

I was told by someone recently that the angles are essentially the same between a 9-footer and a 7-footer, so does that mean the place I usually break from should give me a similar expectation on the smaller table?

I'd appreciate any advice folks have for me about this, or anything else I might wanna look out for regarding the smaller tables.

Thanks
 
Barbox breaking

the 8-Ball break on a 7 ft. Diamond Bar box table...Hit the 2nd ball at about 70% power from the edge of the kitchen with middle to middle low inside english. The cue ball will generally stay in the rack area, often a corner ball will be made in one of the corner pockets AND the 8-ball will head toward one of the side pockets. On a Valley Bar box table (slower cloth generally and definitely slower rails, you must hit the cue ball harder than on a Diamond table. Same procedure.
Good Luck !
 
Last edited:
justadub said:
I was told by someone recently that the angles are essentially the same between a 9-footer and a 7-footer, so does that mean the place I usually break from should give me a similar expectation on the smaller table?
Click to expand...

I just had this discussion with someone yesterday at my place. The angle from the cue ball placement (for a side rail break) CAN'T be the same on a 7' versus a 9' table. The rack is always in the center of the table. On a 9' table, you have an additional 12" you can move your ball to the side, allowing a more head-on shot on the second ball into the 8-ball, directing more energy into the 8-ball. Essentially, making that kind of a break easier on a 9' table versus a 7' table.

That's with the break on the second ball, not the head ball. If you're hitting the head ball, you should be able to replicate the angle from the 9' to the 7'.

...And I agree with the 70% power comment.

I hope that made sense...


Jason
 
JAMSGOLF said:
The angle from the cue ball placement (for a side rail break) CAN'T be the same on a 7' versus a 9' table.
Click to expand...

All tables are twice as long as they are wide. Unless I'm misunderstanding you, the angles do not change.
 
justadub said:
I've never played barbox before (only 9-footers in my very brief pool career) and my league state tourney is gonna be held on them on Saturday. Diamonds, pretty new and in good shape as I understand it. Supposed to be VERY fast, new cloth.

What advice can you give regarding breaking on the barbox? (This is 8-ball I'm speaking about.) I'm not one to really bust up a table, but I can make a pretty good spread if I like on a 9-footer. I usually don't hit full out nowadays, preferring the controlled spread. But the barbox is a different animal, or so I'm led to believe.

I was told by someone recently that the angles are essentially the same between a 9-footer and a 7-footer, so does that mean the place I usually break from should give me a similar expectation on the smaller table?

I'd appreciate any advice folks have for me about this, or anything else I might wanna look out for regarding the smaller tables.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Dub, generally I think you can swing at them a little harder on a barbox. Just like any other break and table, just pay attention to what is working for you that day. Things aren't that much different.
 
I play on barboxes 3 nights a week..... i let it eat everytime i break about 3" off the spot and 1" back center ball. And yes i sit people in the chair for a couple of racks every match. Good luck i hope that helps
 
If it's a diamond with simonis, you can break from just behind the headspot about 80% and hit the first ball full. You'll get a nice spread and most likely pocket a ball.
2nd ball break works well with a touch of inside english.
I've got a 7' diamond pro/am with simonis 860. This is my experience. Best thing to do is try a couple during the warm up period and see how they are breaking. A little off the spot is also effective, as posted above...
Good luck in the tourney

:cool:
 
Thanks for the replies.

In a perfect world, I'd get a chance to practice a little and see what is what. My expectation is that I am very unlikely to get much if any time on one of these tables before it starts. 32 teams, 16 tables, less than one hour between when the doors open and when the tourney starts... Who knows, maybe.

Again, thanks for the help.
 
7' footers play exactly like a 9' footer.

I've played bar box tables all my life, except Diamonds, don't care for um at all!, they bank funny, and cue ball come's the off the rails weird.

If you don't hit the head ball first ,it's a foul!,or at least it is where I play!, and thats everwhere.


David Harcrow
 
You need to get on a similar barbox thats open and practice the second ball break. The straight on break will work if you can really hit the rack solid and hard. If your speed isnt that great you might find that the second ball break will allow you to make balls more and you will also get alot more action on the 8ball.
 
There is not a single solution. All tables rack/ break differently and you need to figure it out when you play.

that said, I played a box tourney once and it was crazy how close the head ball was. I was able to break at 106% of full power and maintain control of CB.

Don't overthink it.
 
uwate said:
You need to get on a similar barbox thats open and practice the second ball break. The straight on break will work if you can really hit the rack solid and hard. If your speed isnt that great you might find that the second ball break will allow you to make balls more and you will also get alot more action on the 8ball.
Click to expand...

A fine suggestion, and appreciated.

Funny thing is there aren't and 7-footers within60-80 miles of where I live.

Really. :p

It's really quite comical that virtually the entire state plays on 9-footers, and we're holding the state vegas qualifier on 7-footers. I know, if we go to vegas, that's what they use there. But no one here plays on them at all, which should make it an interesting day tomorrow.
 
Justadub,

On a 7-foot bar box, I tend to break from just inside the rail into the 2nd ball. I hit it a little below center with a little inside english @ 70% speed. By doing this you can drive the cue ball into the side rail after contact to avoid the scratch and sometimes get the 8-ball moving toward the side pocket (a win in APA as you know). You get a pretty decent split although there is usually some work to be done for a B and R (which is good if you are shooting against 6's or 7's).

Good Luck this weekend in states. Hope to see you in Vegas this year.

Leagueguy.
 
I've been using the "2nd Ball" break for some time now, and for the most part, it works best for me. As someone mentioned, use a little inside english. Don't know which league you play on, however, the 2nd ball break will quite often put the 8 ball in the opposite side pocket. IF your league has the 8-ball break/win rule, it's a GREAT break. If not, then one has the option to re-rack or spot the 8-ball and shoot out from where the cue ball stops.

This break will normally pocket the (opposite side) corner ball, and leave the cue ball somewhere near the center of the table.

The real secret to using this option is to sight your target, then never take your eyes off the cue ball again, until you've stroked through it. (This technique is ONLY for the break).

I was not at the Vegas BCA tourney this past may, however, I was told that the majority of seniors playing were using the 2nd ball break.

JMHO.
 
If you haven't played Bar-Boxes .. Find a place today and just shot a couple of quick games, just so you know what to expect. Diamonds that I have played on are alittle tighter cuts then the valleys that I play on.

Like someone posted earlier, as for breaking, I am always breaking between the left pocket and first diamond, and out about 6 inches. this works really well for me.

Good luck to ya :-)
 
Diamond bar boxes play very fast. The break will most likely not be your problem. Break two or three times and see if you like the head ball or second ball (the second ball break on a Diamond you can hit 50% power and get a complete spread).

Shoot a few position shots and see how fast the table rolls. Shoot a couple banks and see how springy the rails are.

You can spend 5-10 minutes and get a pretty good idea of what you're dealing with. From my experience, these little Diamonds are faster than they need to be. When I play on them (2-3x/week) I shorten up my stroke and hit everything soft. You can get up and down the table with no effort at all. Hit everything softer than you think you need to and focus on ball pocketing.
 
justadub...I'm pretty much in agreement with all the posts here. Break from where you get the best action, and pull back on your speed a bit for better control. If you get no chance to practice break, you may want to change breaking spots, and/or alternate head ball and 2nd breaking. Good luck in the tournament! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

justadub said:
I've never played barbox before (only 9-footers in my very brief pool career) and my league state tourney is gonna be held on them on Saturday. Diamonds, pretty new and in good shape as I understand it. Supposed to be VERY fast, new cloth.

What advice can you give regarding breaking on the barbox? (This is 8-ball I'm speaking about.) I'm not one to really bust up a table, but I can make a pretty good spread if I like on a 9-footer. I usually don't hit full out nowadays, preferring the controlled spread. But the barbox is a different animal, or so I'm led to believe.

I was told by someone recently that the angles are essentially the same between a 9-footer and a 7-footer, so does that mean the place I usually break from should give me a similar expectation on the smaller table?

I'd appreciate any advice folks have for me about this, or anything else I might wanna look out for regarding the smaller tables.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
Hit em solid and don't scratch. Ull find the best spot if u get enough opportunities breaking. I like a diamond out from the rail. Kinda right on the outside of the 'box' playing 8 ball.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top