breaking clusters
- Thread starter berlowmj
- Start date
Breaking out clusters effectivly requires as much planning as playing good postion shots.
I've found that the angle you go into the cluster at has a lot more to do with the outcome then the speed does. Which ball you choose to send the cueball (or another object ball) into is also very important.
I've found that the angle you go into the cluster at has a lot more to do with the outcome then the speed does. Which ball you choose to send the cueball (or another object ball) into is also very important.
all you do is just look at where you need to set up to break out the cluster.. when you get set up know what you have to do to break the cluster out. Then ONLY focus on making the shot. Because you know already what you need to do to break the cluster out.. looking at it while trying to make your shot wont help or solve anything. It'll increase your chances of missing.
So just focus on the shot at hand once you know what you need to do to break out the cluster. If you try to look at both you'll mess both up.
So just focus on the shot at hand once you know what you need to do to break out the cluster. If you try to look at both you'll mess both up.
berlowmj said:
In 14.1 - when breaking up clusters, you don't need to hit the balls too hard. You don't want them spread all over the table, you just want them to NOT be touching each other - and you want to open these clustered balls up to pocket.
You should always pick shots that don't require much speed, or spin - try to find shots that have a natural angle to go into the clustered balls. Don't just blast away to break them up. Pick a ball in the cluster that you want to contact - and ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have an insurance ball - which is a ball that you intend to shoot - after breaking the cluster. If the cue ball is getting trapped inside the cluster, then you are not breaking it up correctly.
In the straight pool forum, I made a thread about this subject a few weeks ago - here is the link... I hope this helps.
A Class On Clusters
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Banks
Banned
Break-outs
First off, you want to break the balls out on the side where they have the least resistance. That means if you have 1 ball in a cluster of 3, you don't want to have to slam into your 1 ball just to get the other 2 to move out of the way. You're better off just tapping one of the 2 balls to kick your 1 ball free of the cluster.
The only time I use power to break out is if I need to travel around the table or if there is a whole mess of things that needs to be "fixed".
When you can, hit a break-out on the side and glance off the balls to avoid getting stuck. Most of the time I see people get stuck is when they end up going smack dab into the middle of the cluster with regular speed.
First off, you want to break the balls out on the side where they have the least resistance. That means if you have 1 ball in a cluster of 3, you don't want to have to slam into your 1 ball just to get the other 2 to move out of the way. You're better off just tapping one of the 2 balls to kick your 1 ball free of the cluster.
The only time I use power to break out is if I need to travel around the table or if there is a whole mess of things that needs to be "fixed".
When you can, hit a break-out on the side and glance off the balls to avoid getting stuck. Most of the time I see people get stuck is when they end up going smack dab into the middle of the cluster with regular speed.
Jerry Forsyth
Well-known member
Can't remember the 'rule'
Folks,
I was taught an old rule about breaking up the rack from the break ball that told you when to use draw off of the rack and when to use follow. Does anyone remember that old rule?
Folks,
I was taught an old rule about breaking up the rack from the break ball that told you when to use draw off of the rack and when to use follow. Does anyone remember that old rule?
Inquiring minds want to know....
Jerry,
I'd love to hear your take on this. I find myself asking this question pretty often playing straight pool. Please enlighten us all
Jerry Forsyth said:
Jerry,
I'd love to hear your take on this. I find myself asking this question pretty often playing straight pool. Please enlighten us all
Jerry Forsyth
Well-known member
draw or follow
Blackjack's answer makes a lot of sense. If closer to the rack then you have the 'zing' needed to get through the rack and in the clear. So you can use follow. But that is not the one I was taught (as I remember). It seems to me that it had something to do with where your cue ball was going to contact the rack. The rack (pardon me for boring you here) is a triangle that is made up of more triangles. A full rack has a triangle of three balls at the top and on each end. So if you are going to hit one of the triangles of three balls at the ends of the rack then you do not have as much mass to push through and so can use follow. But if you are going to hit the broad side of a rack where you have to move the mass of a lot of balls you should use draw as that will get you back away from the rack and not leave you frozen in a pack.
DO NOT TAKE THIS A GOSPEL. As I said, I do not actually remember the rule. I have not had a steady straight pool partner to play with in thirty years. But I know that the old guys like Danny Diliberto know this old saw and I will ask Danny about it next time I see him. Oh, yeah, the rule also reflects on whether or not a follow shot might result in a scratch. When I get reminded of it I will post it.
Blackjack's answer makes a lot of sense. If closer to the rack then you have the 'zing' needed to get through the rack and in the clear. So you can use follow. But that is not the one I was taught (as I remember). It seems to me that it had something to do with where your cue ball was going to contact the rack. The rack (pardon me for boring you here) is a triangle that is made up of more triangles. A full rack has a triangle of three balls at the top and on each end. So if you are going to hit one of the triangles of three balls at the ends of the rack then you do not have as much mass to push through and so can use follow. But if you are going to hit the broad side of a rack where you have to move the mass of a lot of balls you should use draw as that will get you back away from the rack and not leave you frozen in a pack.
DO NOT TAKE THIS A GOSPEL. As I said, I do not actually remember the rule. I have not had a steady straight pool partner to play with in thirty years. But I know that the old guys like Danny Diliberto know this old saw and I will ask Danny about it next time I see him. Oh, yeah, the rule also reflects on whether or not a follow shot might result in a scratch. When I get reminded of it I will post it.