Exceptions to Break Shot Recipes?

mosconiac

mosconiac

Job+Wife+Child=No Stroke
Silver Member
When discussing break shots, two popular rules of thumb (RoT) are usually presented. They are illustrated below. In my opinion, one can not be used without some knowledge of the other which leads to some confusion...which I will address below.

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One source of indecision is what do you do with RoT#1 when the tangent line takes you into the "gap" (between the red & orange areas). This was the source of the discussion previously raised by Blackjack here:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=75594

Here are two situations that I would appreciate opinions on. Granted, I could just go to the table and experiment, but I would like to draw on your experience too.

Situation#1:

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To simplify the discussion, please ignore any factor that OB proximity to the rack may play.

Situation#2:

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Again, to simplify the discussion, please ignore any factor that OB proximity to the rack may play.
 
I'd use follow on both your examples. In Situation 1, you have an opportunity to contact the corner ball cleanly with follow; draw will take you in between that ball and the next one up from it, and that is not a good place to hit. In Situation 2, the "rule of thumb" you refer to would apply, and you'd want some extra follow to ensure that the CB will go THROUGH the stack rather than glance off it. GF
 
Situation #1 can sometimes provide good results using follow with speed sufficient to simply dislodge a few balls off the back of the stack, leaving the cueball low. From there, work secondary break as positions allow. I've many times had success with this stategy.

_Rick
 
I would also follow both shots. The first softly to meld away some balls to the bottom, and the second with some good eating follow. :)
 
14.1 newbie question

from the "recipes" described, it seems that you will always either draw or follow on the break. are there not times that the center ball tangent line is the way to go?
 
If your breakball is high and you will hit the top two balls during your break, I'd say thats a pretty good time to consider a center ball hit, also if you are just peeling off the bottom ball, it seems appropriate many times. The thing with a center ball hit is, way too often it just hits and sticks, so you end up with much less to shoot at than you would trying to distance the cue ball from the stack using a little draw or follow.
 
Tommy Tube Sock said:
from the "recipes" described, it seems that you will always either draw or follow on the break. are there not times that the center ball tangent line is the way to go?
Click to expand...

i draw a line in my mind through the middle 3 balls (where the 9 would be in 9 ball)

my rule is if im going into the bottom half 2.5 balls twards the head ball i draw.

if im going into the top half 2.5 balls tward the rail i follow.

hitting the ball center only will get you into trouble. you will find yourself stuck it the pack ALOT
 
For the first example I like to use center ball with a medium stroke. For the second example I prefer to use a tip below center ball with a firm stroke not adding too much draw and leaving the cue right in the middle of the table. Easier said than done obviously but that's just my opinion. I've had those break balls in that position often and I have had good results using the methods I described. I really think there is really more than one way to get the same results using follow, draw, center ball etc... All I know is blasting into the pack with a hard shot is trouble. I have been trying to just spread the balls a little, leaving nice combos and such. Anyway, I'm starting in a different direction I think...

Cheers,
Jim
 
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