To break or not?

measureman

measureman

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am in a handicapped 14.1 league.
There are a couple of players that I will have to play 80 to 16 and 80 to 32
So i'm thinking that it might be to my advantage to break. this is based on the assumption that with a good break on my part they will more then likely not make an opening shot.
What do you think?
 
measureman said:
I am in a handicapped 14.1 league.
There are a couple of players that I will have to play 80 to 16 and 80 to 32
So i'm thinking that it might be to my advantage to break. this is based on the assumption that with a good break on my part they will more then likely not make an opening shot.
What do you think?
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On the other hand, with a bad break on their part, you are off and running.

Even if they do a good break, you probably do not need to be too risky in your return safe. You could probably still outmaneuver them using an intentional along the way, if necessary.
 
So, you're thinking of slacking off on a lesser opponent, or thinking of playing fast and loose?
 
measureman said:
I am in a handicapped 14.1 league.
There are a couple of players that I will have to play 80 to 16 and 80 to 32
So i'm thinking that it might be to my advantage to break. this is based on the assumption that with a good break on my part they will more then likely not make an opening shot.
What do you think?
Click to expand...

I think you're mistaken here. Poor players rarely execute an even passable opening break, and you'll often be on your way when you win the lag as long as you make them break.
 
sjm said:
I think you're mistaken here. Poor players rarely execute an even passable opening break, and you'll often be on your way when you win the lag as long as you make them break.
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Good thought. I did think about that.
Just trying to get opinions.
 
I have often won the flip or lag and have chosen to break based on my opponent. Funny thing is, that when I did win the break option my opponent always looked at me confused why I chose what I did. And my win/loss record is in good standing based on that opening break choice !!!

Steve
 
Make them break if you win the lag. Strategically it works out better more often than not in the league we are in. BTW no one goes to less than 30, even if their handicap is lower. Since you go to 80 or above, your matches will be played to 80% of each players handicap. 80% of 30 is 24, therefore your opponent will never go to less than 24.
 
I agree that, even if one possesses a really good opening break technique (as compared to the opponent), it's being too aggressive to think that leaving the post-break "come with it" shot to the opponent is wise.

If it's a funsy match and one wants to do this as sort of a "spot," sure. But in a match that matters, no. Let your opponent break, and take the "gamble" that they don't have as good an opening break as you do, thereby leaving you with that opening shot.

-Sean
 
sfleinen said:
I agree that, even if one possesses a really good opening break technique (as compared to the opponent), it's being too aggressive to think that leaving the post-break "come with it" shot to the opponent is wise.

If it's a funsy match and one wants to do this as sort of a "spot," sure. But in a match that matters, no. Let your opponent break, and take the "gamble" that they don't have as good an opening break as you do, thereby leaving you with that opening shot.

-Sean
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Good post, Sean. In fact, if you possess a really good opening break and execute it, you'll normally only leave a couple of loose balls and no attractive shot. Opponent can usually play safe if they don't like any of the shots presented.

If a weak opponent is perceived as having poor tactical judgment, that's plenty reason to make them break, since when they sell out on the break, you'll have control of the table, and on that rare occaison that they execute a good opening break, you always expect to beat them to the shot if you begin a defensive sequence. Finally, if you hate what they leave you, an intentional foul will magically turn the position over to them and, bcause they are playing for fewer points than you, trading scratches with them is always a winning move.

By far the best approach to losing the race to the first shot is to break the balls yourself. Ignoring the matter of possibly playing a shot off the opening 14.1 break, it's always wrong to choose to break if you win the lag.

... at least that's how I see it.
 
The problem is that even if you break well, you may leave a dead ball out of the rack. You have lost much control of what will happen when you break even if your speed control is good enough to freeze the cue ball to the end rail, to not bounce the object ball you hit far enough off the end cushion so that your opponent can see it and to get the other back ball back off the side cushion to the rack. All that can be perfect and the 7 ball is still dead off the 10 into the corner. Your only hope is that the newbie won't see the dead one or will think that it's not dead.

On a related point, Irving Crane remarked somewhat bitterly that in all the years he had played against Mosconi, Willie had never left a dead shot out of the rack when playing safe.
 
Bob Jewett said:
On a related point, Irving Crane remarked somewhat bitterly that in all the years he had played against Mosconi, Willie had never left a dead shot out of the rack when playing safe.
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I remember an amusing incident with Crane and Sigel just over thirty years ago in competition. On one occasion, it appeared that Sigel had left Crane a dead shot in the pack. Irving, however, didn't play it and the shot was sill there after Irving grazed the edge of the pack for a safety. Sigel, too, passed on it.

A few of us who had watched the match, myself included, asked Sigel after the match whether he saw what most onlookers thought was a dead ball in the pack. Sigel said he thought the ball was probably dead but followed with the classic line "If it was't good enough for Crane, it wasn't good enough for me."

Sigel, who counted Crane among his mentors and had limitless respect for him, showed a very unique brand of respect for him on this occasion.
 
sjm said:
Sigel said he thought the ball was probably dead but followed with the classic line "If it was't good enough for Crane, it wasn't good enough for me."

Sigel, who counted Crane among his mentors and had limitless respect for him, showed a very unique brand of respect for him on this occasion.
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It would be kind of ironic if, in fact, Crane had overlooked it. :D
 
Dan White said:
It would be kind of ironic if, in fact, Crane had overlooked it. :D
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The final wrinkle would have been if Crane had shot the shot straight into the pocket after Sigel had passed it up. But I think Irv was not into playing mind games.
 
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