Grinding......
Because each of us are different in so many ways, it is best to try every combination of equipment but most importantly pay attention to your skill sets.
I have a BK2 break cue which I have always liked for breaking which weighs 19oz but I have had mixed results with it on the bar table and even less results on a 9 foot table. I seldom ever play 10 ball on any table, let alone a bar table, so I can't speak for that except in the skill set department.
My physical game has sort of deteriorated over the years and I run out of steam in long tournaments. I have started doing exercises to build a little more muscle and flexibility . If I can stay on this elliptical machine, I can build up some endurance as well. I even have included some light weights. I have also been paying attention to my diet, trying to eat well except that I am addicted to fried chicken.
Johnnyt, I am getting a little long in the tooth myself and often struggle to make balls on the break. Last night my ticket was pulled for a ten ball break and run contest on a ten foot table. I have changed my break cue to a 20.5 ounce, DymondWood "playing cue" and mostly these days I play on bar tables, since that is what is used in most of the tournaments around the country. I spread the balls very well but didn't make a single ball, although 3 of them came close to pockets in various parts of the table. MOST players don't make a ball on the break on this 10 foot table in this break contest. (I think the owner must be coating the object balls with a thin coat of molasses.)
In the last couple of years, I haven't had much luck in cashing in any of the amateur tournaments around the country but have managed to do ok locally, against other amateurs, playing 9 ball on the bar tables.
I went to Denver, CO several months ago with my son and another good friend and none of us cashed in a 128 man field that paid very deep (32) ; so I know I either have to accept the fact that my skills aren't good enough to compete on national tournaments or get my ass in gear and start doing all of the things that is necessary to get this old body in better shape and choose my equipment more carefully as well as work on my skill sets. That being said, I have decided to start exercising more, competing with other amateurs on a regular basis and try to see what if I can become more competitive.
Lately, on a bar table, I have been practicing racking the balls very carefully (tight) and the same way every time. I have been trying to hit the one ball more square and not quite as hard as I am able to hit them and that seems to be getting better results. I think technique is more important than equipment for breaking although I swear I break better with a heavier DW playing cue. I know of a young guy here in my area who breaks with a 22 ounce cue and you wouldn't want to bet against him in a break contest, so while some people may suggest that a lighter cue is the better choice, you should experiment with both to see if you perform differently. Just make sure you are racking the same. This is probably the most important factor in determining what weight you break with best.
For example, I believe that a lighter cue is harder to keep online than a heavier cue (for me). It might be in my head but that doesn't make any difference. If I can swing the heavier cue stick straighter (and more level) at a slower speed then I most likely will get better results because I will be hitting the break ball more accurately and transferring more energy to the rack.
Sorry for the long monologue but you hit a current interest of mine as well.
Oh yeah, STRETCH before you get to practicing your break. :wink:
Oh yeah, STRETCH in the morning when you get up.
Oh yeah, STRETCH during the day when you have a moment.
Oh yeah, STRETCH in the evening before you have a night-cap.
Oh yeah, I forgot, you have some experience in the medical field.
Good luck Johnnyt!
JoeyA
