US Open Break

[The-Professor]

I know these guys are pros and the best in the world and everything...... So somebody explain to me why they all are breaking this z break in which the cue ball heads toward the side (possible scratch) or down table away from the 1 on every break.

I'm surprised nobody is breaking from the middle similar to Shane's normal 10 ball break.

Even if the wing ball is more dead with this crazy Z break..... the lack of cue ball control and possible scratch seem to diminish the advantage gained by the more likely wing ball.

 

[sjm]

They are playing an unusual version of the illegal break rule and the players seem to have determined that this break is the one that best assures a legal break with at least some cue ball control.

If anyone knows the exact break rule being used, please provide.

 

[The-Professor]

They are playing an unusual version of the illegal break rule and the players seem to have determined that this break is the one that best assures a legal break with at least some cue ball control.

If anyone knows the exact break rule being used, please provide.

I have two thoughts (which are somewhat conflictive)

1. I thought that had to be the only logical answer to this break. My thought it you have a crazy messed up break rule when you can't smash the balls from the middle of the table and not worry about having an illegal break.


2. This break rule really does lead to some interesting racks where people have to really play to win. I have seen very few "easy" lay outs after the break.

 

[sjm]

This break rule really does lead to some interesting racks where people have to really play to win. I have seen very few "easy" lay outs after the break.

Excellent point. Running out has become a greater challenge and I think it makes the matches more interesting to watch.

 

[AtLarge]

They are playing an unusual version of the illegal break rule and the players seem to have determined that this break is the one that best assures a legal break with at least some cue ball control.

If anyone knows the exact break rule being used, please provide.

The balls are racked on a template with the 9-ball on the foot spot and the 2-ball in the rear.

They must break from a break box that is the area behind the head string and within 9" of the long string.

The break is illegal unless at least 3 balls are pocketed or "touch" the head string.
That is, the base of the ball does not have to cross the head string; the edge of the ball just has to reach it.

If a break is illegal, the non-breaker has the option to make the breaker shoot or to take the table himself. In either case, no push out is allowed.

 

[hotelyorba]

Excellent point. Running out has become a greater challenge and I think it makes the matches more interesting to watch.

This outweighs any argument against this break rule. Never change this rule. Use it on all tournaments. Make it a world wide rule.

 

[Cardigan Kid]

I've noticed that the players have to use the perfection combination of power and control to get the ball to drop and enough action to have two other balls come up table.
Jayson seems to have this down perfect at times. Same with Billy.
However the Ko brothers both seemed to have a bit more illegal breaks because they had the control but lacked the power to get the spread and balls would come up short of the heartstring.

Again, this is just my perception on the few matches I watched. I don't have any stats to back it up.

Great rule and I agree, all the matches have been interesting and not a lock because of it.

 

[JoseV]

The balls are racked on a template with the 9-ball on the foot spot and the 2-ball in the rear.

They must break from a break box that is the area behind the head string and within 9" of the long string.

The break is illegal unless at least 3 balls are pocketed or "touch" the head string.
That is, the base of the ball does not have to cross the head string; the edge of the ball just has to reach it.

If a break is illegal, the non-breaker has the option to make the breaker shoot or to take the table himself. In either case, no push out is allowed.

I'll piggy back on this, if one ball is made on the break then only two balls have to touch the head string, if two balls are made then only one ball needs to touch the head string, three balls made nothing has to make the head string.

I'm not sure if the break box is in effect this year, I have not seen the boundary for the box drawn on the table.

 

[sjm]

I'd like to add that this break rule has placed a greater emphasis on after-the- break skills than in the past, making the US Open a prefect warmup for the Mosconi Cup, in which after the break skills are, seemingly, always tested to the max.

 

[The-Professor]

Interesting the Chang is using a different break than the other players that I have seen. Instead of pulling the cue ball toward the side to go down table he is playing the cue close to parallel on the one ball and staying on the rack end of the table to take the scratch away.