One pocket break help

[lights_out]

I've been learning the game of one pocket, playing a very good player on a nine foot Diamond at the pool hall. The only break he and I use is to clip the head ball, glance off the second ball, with inside english. Works well enough and is what I've seen most, if not all, the top players use.

I practice at home on my eight footer and every time I use this break, without exception, the cue ball glances off the second ball and scratches in the corner pocket. I've tried different speeds and spots to break from but it doesn't change. I know WHY this happens, my question is what are some alternative breaks to use, at home and on the nine footers?

Thanks.

 

[Charlie D]

I've been learning the game of one pocket, playing a very good player on a nine foot Diamond at the pool hall. The only break he and I use is to clip the head ball, glance off the second ball, with inside english. Works well enough and is what I've seen most, if not all, the top players use.

I practice at home on my eight footer and every time I use this break, without exception, the cue ball glances off the second ball and scratches in the corner pocket. I've tried different speeds and spots to break from but it doesn't change. I know WHY this happens, my question is what are some alternative breaks to use, at home and on the nine footers?

Thanks.

Check out onepocket.org... Charlie D

 

[Gerry]

first off try... www.onepocket.org for ALL the 1P info

now, for your question, yea there are a few different breaks you can try, but the one your using now is the strongest IMO. Our own Kieth McCready used a strong side rail break back in the day. You put the CB about 6" off the rail, and hit just below the side pocket with a little inside spin. Practice it, or you can sell out easily. Besides that, try breaking between the 2nd two balls in the pack on the 8 footer instead of the 1st two. With less realestate on the 8 footer this will help you get around the corner and not scratch.

have fun, Gerry

 

[Snap9]

let's see.......
1)straight pool break
2)one rail bank into the stack
3)hit the 2nd ball more flat
4)soft outside draw
5)soft inside draw

basically try your options and than make some that work on your 8-ft table.

 

[mosconiac]

I've found that the difference in hit between a good and great break (using the standard break) can be subtle. You can go from scratching on the break to making a ball and running 8 just by slightly changing your break angle & thickness of hit.

Here is a previous post I made on the subject with examples.

Here's something you can try that really works for me...you just can't use it to beat me some day!

I have found that some tables really respond to this break (check out the cuetable below for a visual): I place the CB out a little further than typical (my cue usually hovers over point of corner pocket as I am shooting) and I aim directly at the center ball on the rear of the rack (the 9 in this case)with inside, slightly low spin. I try to ignore the other balls and focus solely on that rear ball.

If that does not work, I usually move the CB a bit and try again or aim elsewhere (usually the intersection of two balls).

http://CueTable.com/P/?@3AALW4BCYB3...KDnP3LBjP3MEMO4NBJl3OBal1PRRd1kRRd3kCBT1uBGR@

Here's a cheap little pic to help you understand what I am saying. In the upper setup (as you would see it while breaking from the left of the rack), I am aiming directly at the rear, center ball. If that doesn't work, I'll adjust the CB a little and maybe aim at another ball as shown in the middle setup. If that doesn't work, I'll try the intersection of two balls (the shadowed ones).

This way, I always have a specific target to shoot at. I hear some say, "I aim at the second ball and try to clip the head ball just a little bit." I don't know about you, but I won't leave a shot as vital as the 1P break to something as vague & uncertain as that.

I found some old video that I think you can benefit from. I was practicing the 1P break detailed above (aiming at the center ball on the rear of the rack with my cue lined up over the corner of the pocket).

The first video helps you recognize when the hit on the head ball is (slightly) too thick. Look for the corner balls (nearest your pocket) to hit the end rail quickly and CB to carry more speed into the end rail. If this happens, you can move the CB a little closer (a 1/4" - 1/2" or so) to the rail and shoot at the same target.

Mediocre break...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-eh3MQ5AGE

The second video shows my preferred result. A (slightly) lighter hit on the head ball sends the corner ball right in front of (if not in) my pocket and the CB speed is reduced so it can snuggle up against the side rail. Practice this break a few times and see how your results improve. I've made the corner ball three times in a row before. I also made the corner ball in a hill-hill situation for all the marbles too...broke & ran out in Chicago, baby!

Better break...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLJsFg_RiGo

It goes without saying (sorta) that you need a consistent rack to expect this result, but you are checking the rack, right?

BTW, I've since learned to break from the opposite side of the table. It's easier for a righty to reach shots from that side of the table. If your opponent is a righty too, you have a built-in advantage because he will end up in awkward stances on occasion. Further, if they are oblivious to this, they might be fooled into not alternating sides and you can keep them parked there all day...not that I would ever do that to someone.

 

[jay helfert]

I've been learning the game of one pocket, playing a very good player on a nine foot Diamond at the pool hall. The only break he and I use is to clip the head ball, glance off the second ball, with inside english. Works well enough and is what I've seen most, if not all, the top players use.

I practice at home on my eight footer and every time I use this break, without exception, the cue ball glances off the second ball and scratches in the corner pocket. I've tried different speeds and spots to break from but it doesn't change. I know WHY this happens, my question is what are some alternative breaks to use, at home and on the nine footers?

Thanks.

To avoid the scratch, you can use the same thin hit (with inside english) between the second and third ball (on the same side of the pack), or between the third and fourth ball. Or even between the fourth and fifth ball on that side of the pack. YES, they all work, but don't tell anyone I told you. Sometimes, these alternative break shots work better on some tables, resulting in a better layout for you. And you won't scratch either.

You are correct, on some tables that head ball break shot can cause you to scratch quite often. Another alternative, is to move the cue ball out farther from the rail when you break. Try moving out half a diamond and then even a full diamond off the rail. Again, keep this a secret. You're sworn to secrecy, Okay?

Oh, and Mosconiac is correct. If you are a righty, you want to break from the left side.

 

[klockdoc]

Another alternative, is to move the cue ball out farther from the rail when you break. Try moving out half a diamond and then even a full diamond off the rail. Again, keep this a secret. You're sworn to secrecy, Okay?

You beat me to the punch. This usually corrects the scratch.

Or, you can break like Cory did against Shannon Daulton. Breaks from the left, takes the left pocket.....

 

[lights_out]

Thanks guys...

I knew this was the place to get some answers. I'll try them all. Mr. Helfert, I will keep your secrets, if your info gets out, it wasn't me!

mosconiac, since I've been playing 1p I've always broken from the left and taken the right pocket for the reasons you've stated, just makes sense to me. The friend I play always breaks from the right. I asked him and he said he just feels more comfortable from that side as he breaks all games from that side.

 

[poolhustler]

I'm not a very strong 1P player (love the game though) and I have found that if I hit the head ball too thick I will scratch more often.

So, try a thinner hit on the head ball !!

Russ....

 

[Takumi4G63]

I practice at home on my eight footer and every time I use this break, without exception, the cue ball glances off the second ball and scratches in the corner pocket. I've tried different speeds and spots to break from but it doesn't change. I know WHY this happens, my question is what are some alternative breaks to use, at home and on the nine footers?

Thanks.

If this is what is happening I think you may be mis-hitting the break. At my college we had all 8-foot tables, and I could break very well with this break, better than I usually break on a 9-footer. The CB would hit well safe of the corner, and these were pretty big corner pockets. It would only ever scratch if I double kissed the 2nd ball. I would break with the cue ball about 3-4 inches off the rail, but it shouldn't scratch from other locations so long as you avoid the double kiss. It's even possible to beat this scratch with the said break on a bar table. Perhaps you are hitting it too hard. So I don't really know what else to say if you can't beat the scratch - are you racking with the head ball on the spot? Maybe the cloth is different. I don't know how you could have two 8-foot tables and one which you can only scratch on and one you can miss the scratch easily.

 

[kildegirl]

one good player, one bad player

I've been learning the game of one pocket, playing a very good player on a nine foot Diamond at the pool hall. The only break he and I use is to clip the head ball, glance off the second ball, with inside english. Works well enough and is what I've seen most, if not all, the top players use.

I practice at home on my eight footer and every time I use this break, without exception, the cue ball glances off the second ball and scratches in the corner pocket. I've tried different speeds and spots to break from but it doesn't change. I know WHY this happens, my question is what are some alternative breaks to use, at home and on the nine footers?

Thanks.

what happend to the very good pool player and you?

?????

 

[lights_out]

If this is what is happening I think you may be mis-hitting the break. At my college we had all 8-foot tables, and I could break very well with this break, better than I usually break on a 9-footer. The CB would hit well safe of the corner, and these were pretty big corner pockets. It would only ever scratch if I double kissed the 2nd ball. I would break with the cue ball about 3-4 inches off the rail, but it shouldn't scratch from other locations so long as you avoid the double kiss. It's even possible to beat this scratch with the said break on a bar table. Perhaps you are hitting it too hard. So I don't really know what else to say if you can't beat the scratch - are you racking with the head ball on the spot? Maybe the cloth is different. I don't know how you could have two 8-foot tables and one which you can only scratch on and one you can miss the scratch easily.

After 3 scratches in a row, I re-racked (again) and tried to figure out why this was happening. The angle of deflection of a ball hit with follow, off of the 2nd ball, leads directly into that corner pocket. No double kisses. I rack with the head ball on the spot. The only way I could see beating the scratch on my table is to stun or draw the cue ball, which would probably be a sell out.

 

[lights_out]

what happend to the very good pool player and you?

?????

Don't know exactly what you mean but if you're asking if my friend had the same problem, we don't play at my house, only on the 9 foot Diamonds at the pool hall.

 

[lights_out]

I've found that the difference in hit between a good and great break (using the standard break) can be subtle. You can go from scratching on the break to making a ball and running 8 just by slightly changing your break angle & thickness of hit.

Here is a previous post I made on the subject with examples.

Great info, thanks!

 

[Takumi4G63]

After 3 scratches in a row, I re-racked (again) and tried to figure out why this was happening. The angle of deflection of a ball hit with follow, off of the 2nd ball, leads directly into that corner pocket. No double kisses. I rack with the head ball on the spot. The only way I could see beating the scratch on my table is to stun or draw the cue ball, which would probably be a sell out.

But there are many different points at which you can hit the 2nd ball after thinning the head ball, so the 'angle of deflection' is not necessarily going to be always the same. If you hit a slight bit more of the head ball you will change the point of contact and you should be able to beat it. All I know is it makes no sense that you can't beat this scratch when I've beat it on a bar table which is a far tougher task, unless your table is supremely jacked up.