Break Speed or How Many Balls Made?

[Johnnyt]

I see a lot of threads asking about everyone's break speed, but none on how to find out how to make balls on the break on different tables in rotation games. Power breaking is overrated. Break speed that makes balls and controlling the CB and lowest ball on the table is what counts in the end.

I can see power breaking in 8 ball, but I also think you should have to take what you made. The other way is like playing the 8 ball ghost with BIH after the break. Johnnyt

 

[bigshooter]

I see a lot of threads asking about everyone's break speed, but none on how to find out how to make balls on the break on different tables in rotation games. Power breaking is overrated. Break speed that makes balls and controlling the CB and lowest ball on the table is what counts in the end.

I can see power breaking in 8 ball, but I also think you should have to take what you made. The other way is like playing the 8 ball ghost with BIH after the break. Johnnyt

I agree about break speed. I advise players all the time to work on controlling the cue ball first, then work on bumping up the speed if needed. No point in smashing the rack just to have the cue ball flying three rails, scratching or getting locked up on an end rail.

I however disagree on the take what you make part. I hate making a ball on the break in 8 ball and being hooked. Its like getting punished for making a ball.

 

[boogeyman]

I however disagree on the take what you make part. I hate making a ball on the break in 8 ball and being hooked. Its like getting punished for making a ball.

I agree with you, bigshooter, but with a twist.
I feel for the fairest way, all pocketed balls on break, if any, in 8-ball, should stay down, yet breaker should have choice.

The breaker should not be punished in this case; heck, he/she just made a ball(s) on the break.
The small reward for that should be to be able to choose solids or stripes.

Maybe there was no twist. Oh well.

 

[mantis99]

I agree about break speed. I advise players all the time to work on controlling the cue ball first, then work on bumping up the speed if needed. No point in smashing the rack just to have the cue ball flying three rails, scratching or getting locked up on an end rail.

I however disagree on the take what you make part. I hate making a ball on the break in 8 ball and being hooked. Its like getting punished for making a ball.

I agree on both parts.

 

[bigshooter]

I agree with you, bigshooter, but with a twist.
I feel for the fairest way, all pocketed balls on break, if any, in 8-ball, should stay down, yet breaker should have choice.

The breaker should not be punished in this case; heck, he/she just made a ball(s) on the break.
The small reward for that should be to be able to choose solids or stripes.

Maybe there was no twist. Oh well.

That is what I was trying to say. Open table after the break regardless of pocketing a solid or stripe. You make a solid on the break and end up hooked with 14 balls on the table because you can't elect to shoot stripe.

 

[Culinarytracker]

I find that my best break speed (2nd ball 8ball break) is 1/4 to 1/2 of full "controllable strength". If I break too much harder than that (I'm talking bar box here) I find that things start to cluster back up. So for me it's not at all about maximum breaking power. It's all about pocketing the corner ball and getting the spread that I want.

Also, I would usually prefer to pocket balls from the group that I don't take... Balls in my group are just more options on the table. Their group are obstructions.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

I find that my best break speed (2nd ball 8ball break) is 1/4 to 1/2 of full "controllable strength". If I break too much harder than that (I'm talking bar box here) I find that things start to cluster back up. So for me it's not at all about maximum breaking power. It's all about pocketing the corner ball and getting the spread that I want.

Also, I would usually prefer to pocket balls from the group that I don't take... Balls in my group are just more options on the table. Their group are obstructions.

My head-on break would have to not be working at all for me to switch to a 2nd-ball break. I like crushing the rack with the hopes of making as many balls as possible and getting the widest possible spread. My philosophy is, I assume my opponent is at least as good as I am. If that's the case, the person who gets first look at the table is likely to run-out. The way I see it, if I'm favored to make a ball on the break, then I'm also favored to win the game. The moment I allow things to cluster, I move that percentage down to a coin-flip. I don't want a coin-flip unless I feel breaking isn't an advantage.

 

[Johnnyt]

Choice of balls after the break (if you make a ball) is why 8 ball has become runout city and boring as hell IMO. Not many B+ players and up that are NOT going to run the table most of the time. Take what you make puts a little more thought into the game. Johnnyt

 

[CreeDo]

Good observations Johnny. I've seen way more threads on AZB asking about how to add power
to the break, than asking "how do I make the wing ball in 9b every time".

I don't know if that's just because making specific balls on the break is common knowledge now,
and everyone's seen Racking Secrets I & II...
or if it's because it never occured to many players that you can play a specific ball on the break.

I am surprised to see on live streams, players still trying to break from the center or near-center in 9b,
players who otherwise would bludgeon me on the pool table.
So I don't think it's really common knowledge yet.