second ball break in 8-ball
- Thread starter PKM
- Start date
it depends on table but id start with low right draw
good point johnny depends wich side u break on low left or low right
This is how I hit the 2nd ball break. I try to hit the 2nd ball (the 14 in this case) as solidly as possible with low-left english such that the CB hits the side rail and spins out toward the center of the table. This is a very successful break for bartable 8B and has the occasional benefit of dropping the 8 in the side as shown.
It looks as though you could scratch cross-side on this break, but it rarely happens.
Controlling your speed is very important with this type of break. I start off hitting the break about 50-60% and see how the balls distribute.
If you overhit the 2nd ball break, you will notice that the balls collected on the same side rail you broke from (see page 2 for an example). I rarely go above 75% power.
It looks as though you could scratch cross-side on this break, but it rarely happens.
Controlling your speed is very important with this type of break. I start off hitting the break about 50-60% and see how the balls distribute.
If you overhit the 2nd ball break, you will notice that the balls collected on the same side rail you broke from (see page 2 for an example). I rarely go above 75% power.
I should have mentioned that I always play on 9-footers if that makes much of a difference. I've been hitting it with just draw but I should probably try some english to try to get the CB in the center. I'm a little worried about accuracy but I'll just have to practice it.
I use that second ball beak all the time and it is very effective on a bar table. Seems that when I am playing well in a league I can make the 8 about one in five tries. However, I try to just clip the one ball and I wonder why the rest of you don't use this approach as you know far more than I do?
For some reason on a 9' table this approach often winds up with the CB on the floor so I use the shot as recommended above on a nine footer.
Does anyone know why the CB leaves the table on a 9 footer but not as often on a bar table?
For some reason on a 9' table this approach often winds up with the CB on the floor so I use the shot as recommended above on a nine footer.
Does anyone know why the CB leaves the table on a 9 footer but not as often on a bar table?
2nd ball break in 8 ball
(All 'times' referenced are in relation to the hour hand, not the minute hand)
1) Low outside English. 7:30 for the left side. 4:30 for the right side.
2) Hit the 2nd ball as full as possible without hitting the head ball shooting
like a 3/4 table draw shot to draw it back 2 feet.
3) Start out at 60% speed (beginner) until you are used to it, then you can go up to 70% speed (normal). After becoming really adept at it, you can up the speed some, but I would say 80% speed (proficient) is tops for the 2nd ball break. Anything more than that affects accuracy, which results in a cue ball off the table usually
notes: When I first started using this, I used inside english, which had fairly good results, but resulted in many cue balls flying off the table. The low outside english gives better overall consistent results in breaking, both for spreads and cue ball placement.
The best and most consistent 2nd ball breaker in our city, places the cue ball somewhat closer to the middle, just barely, I mean barely, clips the back of the head ball and the 2nd ball a micro second afterwards which results in a pretty good spread and consistency. His break speed is less than mine on the 2nd break (his is about 50%). Although a good break for him, I can see myself jumping the cue off the table by clipping the back of that head ball.
I have studied this very intently for quite some time.
(All 'times' referenced are in relation to the hour hand, not the minute hand)
1) Low outside English. 7:30 for the left side. 4:30 for the right side.
2) Hit the 2nd ball as full as possible without hitting the head ball shooting
like a 3/4 table draw shot to draw it back 2 feet.
3) Start out at 60% speed (beginner) until you are used to it, then you can go up to 70% speed (normal). After becoming really adept at it, you can up the speed some, but I would say 80% speed (proficient) is tops for the 2nd ball break. Anything more than that affects accuracy, which results in a cue ball off the table usually
notes: When I first started using this, I used inside english, which had fairly good results, but resulted in many cue balls flying off the table. The low outside english gives better overall consistent results in breaking, both for spreads and cue ball placement.
The best and most consistent 2nd ball breaker in our city, places the cue ball somewhat closer to the middle, just barely, I mean barely, clips the back of the head ball and the 2nd ball a micro second afterwards which results in a pretty good spread and consistency. His break speed is less than mine on the 2nd break (his is about 50%). Although a good break for him, I can see myself jumping the cue off the table by clipping the back of that head ball.
I have studied this very intently for quite some time.
No
You may hit ANY ball first in an 8 ball break, as long as 4 balls hit a rail.
I miscued once in a tournament and came off the foot end rail and hit the back of the rack, and broke them up, plus made a ball. My opponent jumped up and down, like a monkey in heat, went and got the TD, and nothing in the BCA rules prohibits you from hitting any ball in breaking, as long as 4 balls hit a rail. The match was hill-to-hill, and I ran out
D ), and I imaqine he still has fond memories of me year later ..... 
Think of the possibilities ..... 14.1 starting break shots????
shotmaker said:
You may hit ANY ball first in an 8 ball break, as long as 4 balls hit a rail.
I miscued once in a tournament and came off the foot end rail and hit the back of the rack, and broke them up, plus made a ball. My opponent jumped up and down, like a monkey in heat, went and got the TD, and nothing in the BCA rules prohibits you from hitting any ball in breaking, as long as 4 balls hit a rail. The match was hill-to-hill, and I ran out
D ), and I imaqine he still has fond memories of me year later ..... Think of the possibilities ..... 14.1 starting break shots????
I break from the side rail and I hit as much of the 2nd ball as I can, but, instead of using outside english, I use low inside english -- left when breaking from the right rail, and vice versa. For me, the cue ball coming off the rail and flying toward the opposite corner causes more action and helps me pocket more balls. As for the 8, I've been streaky. When hot, I've made it two games in a row a couple times in the last several months. Then I might go 4 or 5 weeks without making it again. I'm talking bar tables here; I seldom play 8-ball in a poolroom.