Hard Break vs Soft Break

[Southpaw]

I have to admit that watching a top pro soft break really makes me sick. Im not talking about someone that has a weak break, I mean a soft break. I know all the reasons for doing it (playing the 1 in the side and trying to get shape on the 2, the 9 racked on the spot, etc.), but I watched a match on ESPN2 (Texas Hold Em style pool tourney) and even Archer was soft breaking. Archer! who has one of the best breaks in the game. Part of the thrill of watching top-notch pool to me is seeing someone crush the break and runout and have a chance to string racks together. Just curious as to what everyone thinks of the soft break. To me, its kinda like going to Wimbeldon and watching the pros serve underhanded.....

Southpaw

 

[cheemagun]

I have to admit that watching a top pro soft break really makes me sick. Im not talking about someone that has a weak break, I mean a soft break. I know all the reasons for doing it (playing the 1 in the side and trying to get shape on the 2, the 9 racked on the spot, etc.), but I watched a match on ESPN2 (Texas Hold Em style pool tourney) and even Archer was soft breaking. Archer! who has one of the best breaks in the game. Part of the thrill of watching top-notch pool to me is seeing someone crush the break and runout and have a chance to string racks together. Just curious as to what everyone thinks of the soft break. To me, its kinda like going to Wimbeldon and watching the pros serve underhanded.....

Southpaw

lol @ the underhand part.. change it to ten ball and everybody would smash the rack as hard as they can!

 

[Kevin Lindstrom]

My opinion

If it gets the job done I don't see a problem with it, as a matter of fact I use a soft break when I am playing 14.1 and one pocket. I have tried crushing the rack when playing and have found that I lost most games in which I tried that style of break. Hardly anything in pool in one dimensional including the break shot. If you find something that works, why not use it to your advantage.

 

[Pushout]

If it gets the job done I don't see a problem with it, as a matter of fact I use a soft break when I am playing 14.1 and one pocket.

You mean you break another way in Straight pool and one pocket?? Breaking hard in either game get you broke in a hurry. I'm not talking Corey Duel, who uses an open break in one pocket, most people lose when they try that, but they ain't Corey Duel.

 

[Kevin Lindstrom]

nope

No I don't crush the balls on the break in 14.1 or 1 pocket. I just meant that a soft break works and is best for those two games and if a soft break works for 9ball then why not use it for that game as well. Just trying to point out using what works best for you as a player.

 

[StraightPoolIU]

If it gets the job done I don't see a problem with it, as a matter of fact I use a soft break when I am playing 14.1 and one pocket. I have tried crushing the rack when playing and have found that I lost most games in which I tried that style of break. Hardly anything in pool in one dimensional including the break shot. If you find something that works, why not use it to your advantage.

To me that seems like comparing apples and oranges. The object of the break in straight pool and 1p is to play safe not to try to make a ball and run out like it is in 9-ball. But back to the previous point almost the only thing I like about watching 9-ball is a top pro with a great break smash'em open and try to run out and string racks together. While the softbreak might be effective on some equipment man it's lame to watch. Watchin' those guys break 8-ball during the IPT events now that was a trip.

 

[lifebyfire21]

I base my break on the table itself, for the most part I can tell on the first break if it will be a table I can power-break on or not. Like the table I have here at work I can power-break on no problem but on the table at my local bar if I try and power-break the same way the cue will rocket off the table. Nothing in my break changes, so it is either the rack, the felt or some other factor.

But as far as a soft break is concerned you really can't compare the breaks for straight pool and 14.1 to 8, 9 or 10 ball at all because the premise of the games are completely different like everyone stated 14.1 and straight pool is all about safe play and not giving your opponent a clear first shot whereas 8, 9 and 10 ball is all about scattering the rack, sinking something and running the rack.

 

[Kevin Lindstrom]

Just my opinion

I base my break on the table itself, for the most part I can tell on the first break if it will be a table I can power-break on or not. Like the table I have here at work I can power-break on no problem but on the table at my local bar if I try and power-break the same way the cue will rocket off the table. Nothing in my break changes, so it is either the rack, the felt or some other factor.

But as far as a soft break is concerned you really can't compare the breaks for straight pool and 14.1 to 8, 9 or 10 ball at all because the premise of the games are completely different like everyone stated 14.1 and straight pool is all about safe play and not giving your opponent a clear first shot whereas 8, 9 and 10 ball is all about scattering the rack, sinking something and running the rack.

Having stated the second paragraph. Would you feel safe to say then that when the rack crushers such as Duel and Archer use the soft break technique while playing 9 ball that their intentions are to be playing safe off of the break? I tend to think not. I just think that they are trying a different break that will work for the particular table and conditions. I understand the idea of smashing the break and spreading balls in order to run out in the game of 9ball. All I am offering is the opinion that if the soft break works for 9ball that there is no harm in using it. Sure it's not the conventional way of breaking a rack of 9ball but if the soft break works go ahead and use it.

 

[Hail Mary Shot]

try adjusting the location of the bottom corner pockets and let's see if the soft break is still that effective! I think it won't be long til 10-ball will be on everyone's lips rather than 9-ball! does anyone of you guys already tried a softbreak in 10ball?

 

[Southpaw]

Unless its rack your own and Corey is breaking, I would have to say that the player with the controlled harder break has the advantage. Im speaking of run-out players playing 9 ball. Soft breaking is just painful to watch. I agree that 10 ball would take the soft break out of the equation.

Southpaw

 

[Puck]

I watched a match on ESPN2 (Texas Hold Em style pool tourney) and even Archer was soft breaking.

I too was surprised when I saw pretty much everyone soft breaking including Corey and Jenn. I think it had more to do with the "ball in hand" rule, and also that there were 3 people shooting after the breaker.

In regular 9-ball if the breaker didn't have a shot after pocketing a ball, a good push might get them back to the table during that rack. But in this new "Hold Em" ring format, if you didn't make something on the break you probably wouldn't get back to the table...seeing as how the 3 people behind you would have ball in hand. At least that's why I would go for accuracy instead of power.

 

[lifebyfire21]

Having stated the second paragraph. Would you feel safe to say then that when the rack crushers such as Duel and Archer use the soft break technique while playing 9 ball that their intentions are to be playing safe off of the break? I tend to think not. I just think that they are trying a different break that will work for the particular table and conditions. I understand the idea of smashing the break and spreading balls in order to run out in the game of 9ball. All I am offering is the opinion that if the soft break works for 9ball that there is no harm in using it. Sure it's not the conventional way of breaking a rack of 9ball but if the soft break works go ahead and use it.

This is true, I was basing what I was saying in the second paragraph off what I stated in the first one of that I base how hard I break the rack on the table, but your right, sometimes the best break is the soft break, as long as it works for you. Although you got to admit, it would make you wonder if someone like Archer breaks soft instead of power-breaking, still though if it sets you up better for running the rack or lays the rack out better than it is worth it.

 

[Gerry]

so is the game about giving yourself the best advantage on the break to win the game?......or to SMASH the balls like a Gorilla? and if top pros like Archer, Deuel, Morris, Lee, Manalo etc are breaking soft to make a ball and protect the cueball.....it's the right thing to do in that situation!

I bet you like to watch long drive competitions and wonder why those guys aren't on tour with all the "wimps" who can't hit it 350 huh?

On the same subject I have beaten many guys in tourneys who were smashing the rack, and didn't understand WHY their break wasn't working? and I was running out breaking 10mph....testosterone vs intelligence IMO. Actually it's the definition of insanity to keep doing the same thing and expect different results.

Gerry

 

[GADawg]

so is the game about giving yourself the best advantage on the break to win the game?......or to SMASH the balls like a Gorilla? and if top pros like Archer, Deuel, Morris, Lee, Manalo etc are breaking soft to make a ball and protect the cueball.....it's the right thing to do in that situation!

I bet you like to watch long drive competitions and wonder why those guys aren't on tour with all the "wimps" who can't hit it 350 huh?

On the same subject I have beaten many guys in tourneys who were smashing the rack, and didn't understand WHY their break wasn't working? and I was running out breaking 10mph....testosterone vs intelligence IMO. Actually it's the definition of insanity to keep doing the same thing and expect different results.

Gerry

You are correct. One reason the top pros are top pros is because they can adapt to the conditions at hand to win.

In my mind the objective of the 9 ball break is to make at least one ball and control the cue ball to have another makeable shot. However you do this on a given day and table is OK.

I don't know how anybody could watch Alcano in the WPC finals and not admire his masterful break performance, albeit soft.

If you just want to see people smash things go to the circus and watch guys swing the hammer to make the bell ring.

 

[3andstop]

Its funny, I love straight pool and I can take or leave 9ball so I don't follow or play it much. The other day I was in one of our local pool rooms and a fellow was talking about how he drove 15hrs to see some 9ball tourney somewhere and he was so disgusted with all the soft breaks he didn't even stay for the whole event.

I don't get it. I suppose its like going to a hockey game and being pissed off if no one gets smashed with a hockey stick in the mouth or going to a NASCAR race and not seeing some blood and fire I suppose.. I dunno.

Are you pool enthusiasts or rail bangers without a clue? Who gives a rats ass about how hard the break is, the game, the patterns, the smooth strokes that produce wonderful cue ball movement, the ideas of how to get through a rack ... those are the things of beauty, not some animal trying to show you how to go nuts and loose the cue ball or scratch off 12 kisses.

Ahh, ever since 9ball put straight pool on the back burner, all the real beauty is gone anyway as far as this old timer is concerned.