Defensive 8 Ball Break

[CreeDo]

Would you rather your opponent have a wide open table on his opening shot or a table that requires breakout(s)?

Not necessarily. I've seen many players that can pocket like a bat out of hell, but have a hard time when they have to do something with the table. I also would rather get into a safety match with a better player than a shooting match.

Definitely don't want anyone facing an open table against me.

But if a player is stronger than you, he's stronger than you at everything, including safeties. The only thing my opponent likes more than an open rack, is ball in hand.

I'm not saying it's a bad option, I'm just saying it's only a good option if you make a ball.

If you're not making a ball you absolutely should abandon the soft break, control of the table + choice of groups is HUGE. Definitely more important than preventing a runout. Why? Because runouts are overrated and not as frequent as you think. In a safety battle, that APA6 will outsmart the APA4 almost every time. But with a wide open table, he is not gonna run out more than 1 in 10.

 

[Banks]

But if a player is stronger than you, he's stronger than you at everything, including safeties.

Not necessarily. We all play differently, including different amounts of skill in each area. I'd much rather get into a shooting match with a worse player, because most of the time they just won't hang.

 

[Pangit]

Sorry but a defensive break isn't a shark tactic. If playing against a stronger player not smashing the rack can decrease the chance your opponent is going to run out after a dry break.

True. I was in Puerto Gallera a few years a go and Efren was staying in the same Hotel...(Big Apple) with his "Posse" in tow...Headed by Lucky with the platform shoe. He's "Lucky" to be Efren's Com-Padre.

Nothing advertised, Efren just happened to be there playing anyone 8 ball "Your" break. I should have swallowed my ego. I smash the balls all over the table... made one on the break...the white one.

The eight was married against a big ball near the foot spot, only went in one pocket....Ball in Hand...he took what I thought was a long time, looking at the table...playing against a slug??? bout a minute. Decided on small balls.

To make a long story short, I didn't get another shot and he put the 8 in the only pocket it went in....

My Wife has the video on her DigiCam...I should figure out how to up load it? She's "proud" it...show's all her friends.

That's why a defensive break is in order once in awhile.

 

[West Point 1987]

2nd ball back, medium/hard break. Messy 8 ball is beautiful 8 ball. The worst mistake you can make is a sledgehammer break that's dry. Makes you an instant spectator. Picking clusters apart is the whole art of good 8 ball...the advantage is still to the stronger player, though. Any good C player can run a wide open table; two-three tough clusters makes it a game.

 

[Tony_in_MD]

LOL. how long did that rack take?

It did not last long.

First I asked him if he wanted a re rack cause I was young and dumb thinking he really hit the break bad. When he said no that's my break. I got pissed after realizing the move he was trying to pull. I then announced that he better hope there was not a dead ball off the stack. (Again young and dumb) Luckily there was one that I made then ran out.

I think the short conversation I had with him lasted longer than the game.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

 

[3RAILKICK]

I once played a gentleman in a tournament eight ball race to five. I had just tied the match at four games apiece with me breaking next.
I break the second ball at half speed and left a mess. After a number of shot exchanges I get the shot I wanted and ran out.After the match he turns to his spectator friend and says to him " I can't believe the national champion soft broke. His buddy then says to him "that's why he's the national champion".
Moral is there's times to go all out and there's times to hold back and be patient.

Frank-sounds like your opponent had an objective and observant spectator friend.

 

[fish on]

Frank-sounds like your opponent had an objective and observant spectator friend.

apa rules state must break as hard as you can no soft breaks we do not allow this in our apa area as the top player did this and was told do it again foul ball in hand penalty ! agree or not that is how it is here!