Breaking from the head spot

[trob]

Quit worrying about the break.

You can't keep changing the rules all the time.

Exactly.. players will just figure out how to control that to. The current break is a skill shot making that one in the side. You don’t think so go try it at the consultancy that svb seems to do it. That took practice. Lots of it..

 

[kingwang]

Looks like this is a thing already.

I've been casually following the Sharks Billiards Association, a pro 9 ball league in the Philippines. There are teams, drafts, etc just like the NBA and NFL and other team sports. Quality of play is extremely high - quite a few established 800+ players, and the rest are close to that level.

I just noticed today that they always break from the head spot. Turns out it's an official rule: "9-ball is racked on the spot, and the cue ball must placed on center for break". From what I've seen, it looks like they're just smashing it straight on and hoping a ball falls.

Here's one of their broadcasts from last season's playoffs:

You'll see a few of familiar faces both on the table and in the crowd.

 

[boogieman]

Everybody knows why the WNT have the break set up the way they do. However players figured it out and now the 1 still ends up in the side. So if you really wanted to eliminate that from the game why not require players to break from the head spot? Or would they just figure that out too and they find a way to always make a ball?

I've often told my buddies that the 1B (head ball) is the only guaranteed ball that you can make, no matter what game or break box. If the money ball is on the spot, or the head ball on the spot, the head ball is still makeable. Once you kind of get a ball going (ex. wing ball in 9B) always focus on making the 1B too. Even with a slug rack the 1B can be made if you inspect the rack.

Currently I think the break format is ok. I mean, the break should be a skill shot but at least they are sending balls all over the place instead of just pussy footing the break. It's a skill shot, develop the skills or hope your opponent hasn't yet done so.

 

[g0ds gReeN]

A guy at my local club does this whenever he is on the hill. Puts his cue on the table, puts his hands together and bows. Points at a pocket. Absolutely hilarious to watch. Hits it with some side, the ball at the bottom of the pack comes off the bottom rail and back into the 9 (they changed the breaking rules in Duya I believe, as someone made 4 or 5 in a game using this method lol)

He didn't light incense?

 

[DynoDan]

IMHO, the CB should break from the headspot when using a template rack (one on the footspot). Other racked balls are supposed to be random. If you suspect your opponent of intentionally manipulating the order, you should be allowed to insist on re-racking until satisfied otherwise (?). Of course, some might abuse that privilege, attempting a favorable order eventually. The only solution would be a rule change, setting the order of every ball (or at least the 2). Also, shouldn’t using a template eliminate the need to closely inspect the rack (?).

 

[sjm]

Everybody knows why the WNT have the break set up the way they do. However players figured it out and now the 1 still ends up in the side. So if you really wanted to eliminate that from the game why not require players to break from the head spot? Or would they just figure that out too and they find a way to always make a ball?

WNT has been 100% successful in its mission. The goal was never to eliminate the players' ability to make a ball on the break, but instead to make it more difficult to run the table after a successful break.

Ask any pro and they will tell you that the cut break makes getting a good shot on the two ball after making the one in the side less likely than in the past. In 2022, when Matchroom both tightened the pockets and implemented the next break rules (9 on the spot, narrow break box), they announced that their purpose was to "get more back and forth" in the play.

Players rarely string many racks anymore in WNT play. Only a few players run more than a three pack even once in a given WNT season. They'd all figure out how to make a ball consistently even if required to break from the head spot, and just as is the case now, they would find it harder to get a decent shot on the two than it was before the changes that were made in 2022.

Whether the tougher break that came with the 2022 changes is what's best for the entertainment value of the game is arguable, but Matchroom got exactly what it wanted.