Constantly buying new break cues - Realization

[ceebee]

Thanks for the plug Fatboy.

Practicing the Break Shot STROKE is very important. We use lots of muscle groups in that stroke, where just the opposite is the case in the PLAY stroke.

 

[manwon]

As I'm going through my closet of old cues I noticed how many different break cues I've purchased over the years and then stuffed away because I didn't like them. I also notice how many nearly new break cues end up in the For Sale section after only breaking a few racks.

Admittedly, I can't break worth a lick. I've been studying the break and working on it for 10 years and still think it's the weakest link in my game. I remember seeing a post 9-ball match interview with Irving Crane where he stated that he's NEVER had a good break and couldn't compete with guys like Luther Lassiter when it comes to that. He was in his seventies at the time.

I realize now that I purchased all those different break cues in an attempt to "buy a break" and when it didn't cure my ails I just bought another one until I found my "magic cue". It never arrived.

Anyone else ready to admit they do (or did) the same thing?. :wink:

Whether others admit it or not it seems to be a very common occurrence. I own a retail store and a pool room and I see people do what you are talking about all the time. They have to have the latest Tip, the latest new shaft, or the latest new cue because some how they think it Will change their game.

In reality the only answer is Practice!!! Practice!!!!!!! Practice!!!!!!!! and no matter what some people buy they will get any better.

Thanks for sharing your comments it is very refreshing to hear some one say what you have said, others could save a great deal of money if they listen to what you have said here.

Great Thread, thanks for sharing!!!

 

[cardiac kid]

Any break you keep the cue ball in play on, is a good break. You can practice the break all you want, but you need to realize that it's an unconrtollable demolition. None of the factors are the same, you'ld like them to be, but in fact they aren't. The balls are never in the same spot, you NEVER hit the cueball with the same speed, same English. The rack could be slightly skewed from the position of the last break. So what do you expect to happen? What is reasonable to expect?

I saw a guy that everyone said had a strong break... 3 times I saw him the ball was on the floor. Last I looked, you cannot shoot from the floor.

The balls won't come off the rail the same, they don't collide the same. So in a situation where you cannot get repetitive results, what are you practicing? Break cues? I have a phenolic tip cue that is a good breaking cue. As long as I maintain the ball after the break, that's my main concern. When you give up the cue ball, is when your break has failed.

JV

Joe,

I feel pretty much the same way about people who buy books and videos about how to beat "craps". Every throw of the dice is an independent event. Yes, you can set the dice. Yes, you can throw at a predetermined speed and angle. In the end, the house still wins! Thats why some betters who play the don'ts come home with some money on a regular basis instead of breaking either the house (never happen) or yourself.

The short of it is what you said! Consistancy and luck make for a good break.

Lyn

 

[MitchAlsup]

The person behind the cue is to blame for 99.44% of the break mistakes.

 

[sweatinNbettin]

Painful but true

The person behind the cue is to blame for 99.44% of the break mistakes.

The above was painful for me to read but true. I have gone through at least 4 break or jump break cues in the last 3-4 months. And its always the cue, never me. Its ike i can do ok for awhile but then hit a bad spot. So what do I do? I buy a new cue. And when that goes south , I wish I had my old cue back.lol
So I am really trying to stick with one. Either the Lomax or the Sledgehammer.
Wish me luck.

 

[spliced]

After owning several break and break jump cues i find i get the best break, control, and comfort with my playing cue. I dont like switching to another cue, it throws off my rhythm and feels foreign. I dont hit them a million miles an hour, just a good solid hit on the 1, and i get good results. I have not noticed my tip getting flatter or wearing out faster. I play with a hard tip anyway. The samsara break/jump tip is too hard IMO. I like water buffalo for playing and breaking.