Solo 14.1

[mudball]

I'm looking to incorporate 14.1 into my practice routine. I'm wondering how I should do the break. I dunno if I should do the safe break as if I'm in a real match or just gently break the balls open. How did Mosconi break when he did solo exhibitions?

 

[Billiard Architect]

I'm looking to incorporate 14.1 into my practice routine. I'm wondering how I should do the break. I dunno if I should do the safe break as if I'm in a real match or just gently break the balls open. How did Mosconi break when he did solo exhibitions?

Set the rack as though it was your second break. In other words set up a break ball just off the rack and rack the other 14 balls. Sink the ball and bust the rack and continue. Busting the rack will help your confidence in sinking a lot of balls right off the bat. Don't worry you will have more opportunities in practicing clusters in breaks that follow.

Johnny "V"

 

[sjm]

Set the rack as though it was your second break. In other words set up a break ball just off the rack and rack the other 14 balls. Sink the ball and bust the rack and continue. Busting the rack will help your confidence in sinking a lot of balls right off the bat. Don't worry you will have more opportunities in practicing clusters in breaks that follow.

Johnny "V"

Most good 14.1 players begin a practice this way. Where I've seen some variation is in whether they rerack the balls and set up a new break shot after any miss.

In contrast, I watched a top player practicing before the 1999 National Straight Pool Championships. He racked all fifteen balls, played the standard opening "safe" break, and then shot. Every time he missed, he racked all fifteen balls and repeated the process. His name ........ Earl Strickland. Yeah, really.