Reading a Table

berlowmj

berlowmj

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have overcome problems with miscuing, scratching, scatter, & CB placement on the break. However, on some tables, I consistently pocket at least one ball on the break & on others, I do not. If I am practicing by myself, I can increase my rate of success by leisurely moving around the "kitchen" & varying my power. However, what can I do if I am challenged by an opponent on an unfamiliar table?
 
berlowmj said:
I have overcome problems with miscuing, scratching, scatter, & CB placement on the break. However, on some tables, I consistently pocket at least one ball on the break & on others, I do not. If I am practicing by myself, I can increase my rate of success by leisurely moving around the "kitchen" & varying my power. However, what can I do if I am challenged by an opponent on an unfamiliar table?
Click to expand...

If you can't get a moment to warm up on that table, which I am sure you won't, you have to pay close attention to how the balls are scattering after the break. Fast cloth seems to be more conducive to a soft break, slow nap requires more of a pop to get the balls moving.

Watch how your opponent is breaking and learn from his/her mistakes or if he/she is making balls, copy his/her break. If the side rail break isn't working try the center of the table.

I like to start out breaking at about 60%, and then bump it up or down depending on the results that I see.
 
One thing I use when starting a match on an unfamiliar table is to look at the track marks on the cloth left by previous breaks and from where my opponent is breaking.

Also, go up and check the rack before breaking. Most tables don't rack tight on all balls. Learn to read the rack. If the balls are slightly seperated on one side of the rack, break from the other side toward the loose side of the rack. You will get better seperation.
 
Lose rack

Stones said:
One thing I use when starting a match on an unfamiliar table is to look at the track marks on the cloth left by previous breaks and from where my opponent is breaking.

Also, go up and check the rack before breaking. Most tables don't rack tight on all balls. Learn to read the rack. If the balls are slightly seperated on one side of the rack, break from the other side toward the loose side of the rack. You will get better seperation.
Click to expand...

If my opponent gives me a lose rack as you describe,

1. Am I better off taking advantage of it as per your instructions?

2. Or asking for the rack to be tightened?
 
"Racking secrets" by Joe Tucker really helped me in reading a rack. Also I agree with the other poster who stated, "Look at the track marks on the cloth." People break repeatedly from an area where they are having the most success.
 
Stones said:
One thing I use when starting a match on an unfamiliar table is to look at the track marks on the cloth left by previous breaks and from where my opponent is breaking.

Also, go up and check the rack before breaking. Most tables don't rack tight on all balls. Learn to read the rack. If the balls are slightly seperated on one side of the rack, break from the other side toward the loose side of the rack. You will get better seperation.
Click to expand...

Actually you want to break from the side of the rack that the gaps are on, this will allow the back ball to move out of the way so that the wing ball can be driven into the corner. (of course this is provided that you have a frozen four ball track on the other side)
 
berlowmj said:
If my opponent gives me a lose rack as you describe,

1. Am I better off taking advantage of it as per your instructions?

2. Or asking for the rack to be tightened?
Click to expand...

If your opponent isn't giving you a tight rack, tell him you'd rather rack your own.
 
acedotcom said:
If your opponent isn't giving you a tight rack, tell him you'd rather rack your own.
Click to expand...

Sometimes the balls just won't rack tightly. Could be the cloth, could be worn balls, could be a bad triangle, could be other things, too. However, if I see gaps between the balls, I won't necessarily ask for a re-rack. Some of those gaps can be your friends, if you know how to break.

Get Joe Tucker's DVD on this stuff....


Flex
 
When I competed in combat pistol matches, the slogan was "Happiness is a tight group." Now, "Happiness is a tight rack." Not to be confused with Victoria Secret.
 
Flex said:
Sometimes the balls just won't rack tightly. Could be the cloth, could be worn balls, could be a bad triangle, could be other things, too. However, if I see gaps between the balls, I won't necessarily ask for a re-rack. Some of those gaps can be your friends, if you know how to break.

Get Joe Tucker's DVD on this stuff....


Flex
Click to expand...
i heard great thins on this DVD, someone mentioned that in nineball as long as these balls were tight the wing ball would fly straight in or something in that nature (1396)

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