Question on the break

gunzby

gunzby

My light saber is LD
Silver Member
I've seen several who seem to go for the one ball in the side. I just don't understand this strategy. Wouldn't it be best to break to bring the one up table and either bring the CB up table or leave it squatted?

It just seems like going for the one in the side leaves the two up to chance.

My ideal break has been to break from the left, bringing the one up the right and the CB just above the side pocket with a shot on the one.
 
definitely agree that one up table with the cue balll squatted is the best break, if you are still at the table. with breaking from the box and making the wing ball harder to make and squat, or just the unreliability of making a ball, many have opted to go with 1 in the side because it is independent of the table/rail/cloth conditions and more reliable that you get to stay at the table, which is better than leaving a wide table with a great 1 ball shot for the other player.
 
Every table breaks differently. Some tables virtually guarantee the one in the side. It is awfully hard for good players to pass up a sure ball on the break. I do agree that if the wing ball is going consistently, there is no reason to change, but man, it sure is nice to absolutely know you are going to make a ball.
 
And even if you are playing for the one in the side, you can pretty well judge where the 2 will wind up depending on where it is in the rack. Think about pattern racking, and the reason behind the patterns. If the 2 is in the second row behind the 1, its coming up table to the kitchen. So parking whitey, or even putting a little draw on the cb would be appropriate. If the 2 is behind the 9, parking or a little follow would be good.
Here is a tip for you in general. Before you break racks open, look at the rack and see where the balls are at. Break, and see where they wind up. Experiment with that a bit, use different cue ball starting points, different speeds etc. Will help your cause.
Chuck
 
I don't see players play for this much because the wing ball is supposed to be so 'guaranteed', but on my local table I cannot find the secret to it. Even if there's gaps to exploit I don't get it more than 20% it seems like. So 1 in the side becomes worth experimenting with.

Making a ball on the break is for sure more important than trying to play position for something. There's too much randomness to really play position unless a table breaks incredibly easy. Then you can see Corey or Shane end up with the same shot on the one time after time.

For mere mortals on regular equipment, squatting it center table is the best position you can hope to play. If you watch the pros shoot a decently long set of 9 ball, you'll notice even they don't come up with a shot on the one every time even when they're making the wing ball.
 
One thing we do know is this. The closer you break to the center (4-5 inches off center), the one ball banks off the 2nd row balls & heads back toward the adjacent (next to you when you are breaking) corner pocket.

As you move the cue ball toward the side rail for breaking, the one ball starts moving up (away from you) the side rail toward the side pocket.

Hopefully, this info will help you find that side pocket, for the one ball.

Speed of the break makes a great deal of difference too. Finding the correct speed, to make a wing ball, park whitey & have the one ball close to the corner pocket, is a jim-dandy way to start the game.
 
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