Break Cues, Not what you think

J-Flo

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
First, this is not a post about what cue I should get or what weight I should use. It more of an observation.
I was lucky enough to sit in front of the TV table at Beloit this weekend and I was able to look at the break cues that the players used. I looked at what tip and what weight they used. Im on a quest for the break cue that will pocket a ball every time I break, so that why I paid close attention to the players equipment. Im a dreamer. Just saying.

Well what I found out was really surprising. I seen guys break with cues that cost $35 on up to $1200. It seemed that most had a story with there break cue. Everything from a fan gave it to me, to I borrowed it and never gave it back. Shane doesn't use one and Cory uses a bright blue OB. Weight varied from 17 to 24oz . Condition was another issue. I seen a guy clean his break cue after each break and i seen a guy sneeze in his hand and grab is breaker and go sink 3 balls.

Ive been looking for a break cue that I like for about 3 years. Ive tried them all but nothing keeps my attention. I read all the reviews and try and decide what to try next. I just got a Mezz pbII with the hi shaft and a friend came over and made me an offer I couldn't refuse so its gone.

Another thing I noticed was allot of the guys use a jump break combo. most said it was because of space limitations in the case. But the guys who jumped with a jump cue only, seemed to be more accurate, but thats another thread.
I was shocked to see a couple of pure x J/B combos out there.

Well, ive come to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter what cue you use cause for the 2 days I was there the players seemed to go in streaks. They would make a ball every time they broke and then they would break dry for an entire match. I thought Corey was braking bad then I noticed his cue ball ended up in exactly the same spot every time he broke (not the center of the table). He got my attention cause I was looking at the OB as my next in the quest for the ultimate break cue. Shane had the best control of all the players and he used his playing cue.

So as the old saying goes, Its not the poker its the stroker. Its how well your hitting the cue ball in the desired spot with the right speed and when it all comes together that you make a couple or three balls and now a 10 ball game turns into a 7ball game.
 
Ha. I've been going through the same process. I've just spunked a fortune on a worthless cue I bought from a mate because it breaks so good - just kept offering money til he accepted. Now I've gone off it and can't get the thought of a mezz out of my head. Damn mezz.
 
Thanks for the report but I had a feeling that when it comes to equipment, it varies widely even with good players. I bought a Minnesota Fats gel grip cue from the PX when i was at Ft. Bliss for a month attending school. I didnt have my own cues and just wanted something consistent. I then went on to beat some guy out $500 a week after buying it. Well worth the investment. Goes to show that if the arrow is straight enough, then the skilled Indian should be able hit his target.

I will add that some equipment is just too sub par, like cuetecs jump break sucks bad.
 
I was in Beloit too, I watched SVB when he was breaking. He didn't seem to hit them all that hard, like make the rack explode and the CB jump two feet in the air, rather his timing was perfect between what his body was doing and where the cue was in the stroke.
I think some break cues are a bit better but timing and stroke seems to be huge.
this might be and interesting thread, thx for starting it.
 
I'm not an incredible player and I don't break phenomenally hard, but I think any cue with a hard tip and decent shaft works perfectly well as a break cue if your form is good. I cut broke at about 50-75% strength with my playing cue last night with a milk dud tip and made plenty of balls on the break over the evening - as many or more than on any given night breaking with my Gulyassy J/B, and with much more control.
 
I brought a Jump/Break cue, and it has a 14mm shaft. It breaks fine, but I've noticed that many of the top players end up flexing their cue into the table. I just don't know how it's possible to achieve that with a 14mm shaft.
 
I used a cheap zebrawood Action cue with the regular stock tip to break with until I handed it off to a friend. Bought a phenolic tip cue and couldn't adjust to it. I tend to break with English and that set up didn't do it. I actually broke a piece of the tip off trying to spin the cue ball. I got rid of that thing and grabbed my old Falcon BS7 out of the closet. I had it retipped with a Tiger Sniper before I got the Joss cue with the SS360 shaft. (Loved that cue, still don't know why I sold it.) I use the Falcon when I'm not breaking with my play cues. I actually got called out in league because the two breaks before I used it and switched back to my play cue, but on this break the layout was there and I was anxious. I hooked myself before I realized I was still using the Falcon. The guy said "you played with your break cue you gotta keep using it this rack." I laughed as I walked over and put play cue back in the case. That really got into his head and he missed his shot. I ran out on him and took the next few racks on him too. Afterward he asked what kinda cue it was. I told him it was a back up cue I broke with sometimes. He had a Predator break cue so I guess he assumed you can't break and play with the same cue lol.

Anyway, I like medium to hard leather tips to break with. They work for me.
 
I was in Beloit too, I watched SVB when he was breaking. He didn't seem to hit them all that hard, like make the rack explode and the CB jump two feet in the air, rather his timing was perfect between what his body was doing and where the cue was in the stroke.
I think some break cues are a bit better but timing and stroke seems to be huge.
this might be and interesting thread, thx for starting it.

The only time cue speed matters is at the moment of impact. Most guys about whom we say "wow, he breaks hard" appear that way because they try to attain maximum speed immediately after the backstroke. SVB, on the other hand, slowly accelerates the cue -- so it looks slow to begin but hits the CB when it reaches maximum speed. That's why his control is so good; he doesn't lose control because he starts off slowly. The downside is that it takes a lot more practice to get your whole body in the right timing for an accelerating stroke.
 
Hey John, It was great seeing you in Beloit this past weekend and we will get together soon. On to the break cue discussion. I went over to the steak house next door to The Carom Room with another AZ friend and had the good luck in getting a table next to Stevie Moore. He's sponsored by Mezz, without going into details, he thinks very highly of the company and their equipment. I know he's paid to use the equipment but I got the feeling he was being totally honest in his comments. He invited me to try his break cue but the folks I went with had plans that made that meeting impractical. I have several questions for the folks at Mezz USA but they are closed for vacation till early September.. I am very interested in the Mezz break cue technology and am looking forward to owning one in the near future..
 
Hey John, It was great seeing you in Beloit this past weekend and we will get together soon. On to the break cue discussion. I went over to the steak house next door to The Carom Room with another AZ friend and had the good luck in getting a table next to Stevie Moore. He's sponsored by Mezz, without going into details, he thinks very highly of the company and their equipment. I know he's paid to use the equipment but I got the feeling he was being totally honest in his comments. He invited me to try his break cue but the folks I went with had plans that made that meeting impractical. I have several questions for the folks at Mezz USA but they are closed for vacation till early September.. I am very interested in the Mezz break cue technology and am looking forward to owning one in the near future..

You were eating Steak? I must have eaten at least 6 of those $5. cheese bugers.lol Funny thing is that I wanted to get a lesson in with Stevie but he seemed to disappear. To be honest I think im going to try a $200 pure x J/B combo. Ill be calling you soon to go hit some. Stay in touch.
 
I picked up a garden variety Prulhiere on the 'bay about a year ago. Decent looking, nothing fancy, fairly inexpensive, can't remember the woods he 'wrapped' the wood with (that's another story). So it sat in the rack for a long time, as a player for guests.

Last week I started gearing up for league next month (8 ball).

When I would break with the Predator break cue, I'd make one, maybe two balls.

On a whim, I started breaking with the Prulhiere the other day.

And I've been making at least three on the break about 80% of the time.

Go figure.
 
You got that right!!!

The only time cue speed matters is at the moment of impact. Most guys about whom we say "wow, he breaks hard" appear that way because they try to attain maximum speed immediately after the backstroke. SVB, on the other hand, slowly accelerates the cue -- so it looks slow to begin but hits the CB when it reaches maximum speed. That's why his control is so good; he doesn't lose control because he starts off slowly. The downside is that it takes a lot more practice to get your whole body in the right timing for an accelerating stroke.

You are 100% correct. I watched Archer for years and he had the best break out there, but I couldn't duplicate it, tried, but failed. Then I watched Busty and he had the best or second best to Archer, a little bit easier to duplicate the action, not so much the result.

SVB is the best by far, but it is very difficult to duplicate if your not playing and practicing 4-5hrs a day..., along with having him to coach you!
 
You are 100% correct. I watched Archer for years and he had the best break out there, but I couldn't duplicate it, tried, but failed. Then I watched Busty and he had the best or second best to Archer, a little bit easier to duplicate the action, not so much the result.

SVB is the best by far, but it is very difficult to duplicate if your not playing and practicing 4-5hrs a day..., along with having him to coach you!

I took 8 videos of SBV breaking each one focusing on a different part of his body and 3 of the complete break. Im going to put it on the pc tonight and see if i can upload it.
 
I have an Elite break cue. It cost me about $90.00. It's a 21 once cue, it isn't the heavy one. I'd just rather use a beak cue and not jeapordize one of my playing cues. Before I had a break cue, I'd use any ol' house cue.

Does it make a difference? I like to think so! But....I'm not that good anyway....LOL
 
I have used a McDermott stinger jump / break cue for a few years. It breaks very good to me. It jumps easier than any jump cue I have ever tried. I picked up my new custom player cue a few weeks ago. Waiting on the matching J/B to be finished any day........
 
I have an Elite break cue. It cost me about $90.00. It's a 21 once cue, it isn't the heavy one. I'd just rather use a beak cue and not jeapordize one of my playing cues. Before I had a break cue, I'd use any ol' house cue.

Does it make a difference? I like to think so! But....I'm not that good anyway....LOL

I use a modest price Players J/B. Ordered it as light as they could make it (no weight bolt). Weighs around 18oz. I consistently break at 18.5 to 19 mph with very little (comparatively) body movement. Like using a break stick for one main reason.....to save my playing tip.
 
The best break cue I've ever tried was the $600-$700 Mezz break cue. Too bad I can't justify spending that much on a break cue. If only Mezz would price their cues a little more consumer friendly they would sell a lot more IMHO. I can't get the thought of the Mezz out of my head. Ah f*** it, I'm going to buy one.
 
Im not sure when that was filmed but he does things different now. Also you cant see his grip or his feet (weight shift). A few other things I noticed that he has changed. But the thread is about the equipment and how its not really the cue, its the person behind it.
But thanks for trying

yes i knew it was about equipment and how its not really the cue. but his name was brought up and figure i would post the link also he on a 9ft there not BB but my thoughts on it is mostly timing and hitting the head ball square and follow tho.i think most ppl will find that they are trying hit them to hard..at lease that was my biggest problem.. once i slowed down my break it seem i was hitting them harder.then i was when i try to blast them.lol
 
Last edited:
Back
Top