How to Make the 9 ON THE BREAK … It’s Not Just Luck

dr_dave

dr_dave

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FYI, I just posted a new video that demonstrates various techniques for getting a “golden break” in 9-ball, where you pocket the 9 “on the snap.” Being smart and using good technique can help you win more games. Check it out:


Content:
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Cut Break
2:26 - Combo With Back Ball
---- 4:19 - natural 8 kiss
---- 5:18 - pocketing other balls
7:18 - Gaps Behind the 9
9:13 - Lucky Kiss, Carom, or Combo
9:46 - Wrap Up

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
 
dr_dave said:
FYI, I just posted a new video that demonstrates various techniques for getting a “golden break” in 9-ball, where you pocket the 9 “on the snap.” Being smart and using good technique can help you win more games. Check it out:


Content:
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Cut Break
2:26 - Combo With Back Ball
---- 4:19 - natural 8 kiss
---- 5:18 - pocketing other balls
7:18 - Gaps Behind the 9
9:13 - Lucky Kiss, Carom, or Combo
9:46 - Wrap Up

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
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I’ve had quite a bit of success getting the 9 to fly up table and either into the sides or upper corners by setting the cue ball in the dead center and breaking square on into the center of the 1 ball, very hard. Not necessarily the best break for making a lot of balls on the break, but I have often moved 8-9 balls to the breaking end of the table. The risk is if you don’t make a ball, you could leave the 9 ball up near a corner pocket and the 1 ball usually ends up there as well.
 
ChrisinNC said:
I’ve had quite a bit of success getting the 9 to fly up table and either into the sides or upper corners by setting the cue ball in the dead center and breaking square on into the center of the 1 ball, very hard. Not necessarily the best break for making a lot of balls on the break, but I have often moved 8-9 balls to the breaking end of the table. The risk is if you don’t make a ball, you could leave the 9 ball up near a corner pocket and the 1 ball usually ends up there as well.
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As I showed in the video, from the center, hitting the 1 at a slight angle is best; otherwise, the 8 and 9 tend to head straight up table. But if you are hitting it hard aiming dead center, it is likely you won't hit it perfectly square anyway. I certainly saw the 1 and 9 coming to rest close together up table a lot during my filming.
 
dr_dave said:
As I showed in the video, from the center, hitting the 1 at a slight angle is best; otherwise, the 8 and 9 tend to head straight up table. But if you are hitting it hard aiming dead center, it is likely you won't hit it perfectly square anyway. I certainly saw the 1 and 9 coming to rest close together up table a lot during my filming.
Click to expand...
It really works when using a racking template with all balls frozen. Why do you say the 8 ball goes up table? If you are racking randomly, it won’t always be the 8 ball,
 
ChrisinNC said:
It really works when using a racking template with all balls frozen. Why do you say the 8 ball goes up table? If you are racking randomly, it won’t always be the 8 ball,
Click to expand...
I was referring to how the balls are placed in my video. The 8 is in the back. With a square hit from the center with no sidespin, the 8 heads straight in the up-table direction to hit the 9 straight up-table.
 
Last edited:
dr_dave said:
FYI, I just posted a new video that demonstrates various techniques for getting a “golden break” in 9-ball, where you pocket the 9 “on the snap.” Being smart and using good technique can help you win more games. Check it out:


Content:
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Cut Break
2:26 - Combo With Back Ball
---- 4:19 - natural 8 kiss
---- 5:18 - pocketing other balls
7:18 - Gaps Behind the 9
9:13 - Lucky Kiss, Carom, or Combo
9:46 - Wrap Up

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
Click to expand...

FYI, I've added the following "CORRECTIONS" to the video description and pinned comment based on input from viewers:
  • the spin diagram for the 9-on-the-spot cut-break illustration in the beginning of the video should show slight bottom-right spin (not bottom-left).
  • The 8-9-combo approach I demonstrated with the 1 on the spot (starting at 2m26s), works just as well with the 9 on the spot; although, the 8 is no longer natural in the side.
 
OldOrvis said:
You better get to the World Pool Championship 9 ball tournament ASAP lol
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I have not been watching it live. Are they doing something different? Is the 9-ball moving (due to gaps behind the 9)?
 
dr_dave said:
I have not been watching it live. Are they doing something different? Is the 9-ball moving (due to gaps behind the 9)?
Click to expand...
If it’s a tight rack, especially a template, and you break from dead center headstring to dead center on the head ball, believe me that 9 will move considerably, almost every time.
 
Zerksies said:
Recently most tournaments are not allowing you to inspect the rack. Making DD's video useless for them. I can see it useful for cash games.
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What is happening in the tournament that makes you think the info in my videos is "useless?" Is the 9 moving due to gaps? Are they having trouble making the wing ball due to gaps? Even if these things are happening (and they are not allowed to inspect the rack), the info in my videos is useful. It tells you there are gaps in the racks, and they need to do a better job racking, or try a different breaking approach.
 
ChrisinNC said:
If it’s a tight rack, especially a template, and you break from dead center headstring to dead center on the head ball, believe me that 9 will move considerably, almost every time.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I show this clearly in my video. I must be missing your point.
 
Problem is...knowing how the pros do it and doing what the pros do are two very different things. :rolleyes:
 
dr_dave said:
What is happening in the tournament that makes you think the info in my videos is "useless?" Is the 9 moving due to gaps? Are they having trouble making the wing ball due to gaps? Even if these things are happening (and they are not allowed to inspect the rack), the info in my videos is useful. It tells you there are gaps in the racks, and they need to do a better job racking, or try a different breaking approach.
Click to expand...
The last few professional tournaments I've been to or watched players could not inspect the racks at all. Your point on breaking is dead on with the gaps.

If I can't see the gap how is a player going to adjust to breaking to my favor?
 
Zerksies said:
The last few professional tournaments I've been to or watched players could not inspect the racks at all. Your point on breaking is dead on with the gaps.

If I can't see the gap how is a player going to adjust to breaking to my favor?
Click to expand...

Only one of the approaches I showed relies on knowing where the gaps are (behind the 9). Although, two of the approaches do need a rack tight enough to prevent 9-ball motion with the initial hit. Again, all this stuff is explained and clearly demonstrated in the video.
 
dr_dave said:
Agreed. I show this clearly in my video. I must be missing your point.
Click to expand...
Dave, I was just stating facts based on what I’ve experienced for myself, doing this over the last number of 9-ball tournaments we’ve played here. We use a magic rack and we rack the 9 ball on the spot. I haven’t even had a chance to check out your video yet, but I will.
 
if the table is slow than its a bad break as you tend to leave combos unless you are strong enough to make balls and play combos well.

the side break is less likely for you to sell out to a good player meaning one better than you.

and real good players get more value out of making any ball than the times they make the nine if it gives up some pocketing value of the other balls.

generally the worse the two players the more you should try for the nine on the break.
as well as lucking it in during the game.
 
maha said:
if the table is slow than its a bad break as you tend to leave combos unless you are strong enough to make balls and play combos well.

the side break is less likely for you to sell out to a good player meaning one better than you.

and real good players get more value out of making any ball than the times they make the nine if it gives up some pocketing value of the other balls.

generally the worse the two players the more you should try for the nine on the break.
as well as lucking it in during the game.
Click to expand...

Agreed the best 9-ball break strategy (with the 1 on the spot, when not "breaking from the box") is to use a side break. FYI, recommended break strategy under all break rule variations can be found here:


Enjoy!
 
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