using your playing cue to break on fast tables

[StormHotRod300]

Ok, my Thursday nite APA 9ball league plays on 7foot Diamond tables that are fairly new.

Now i started to notice that when i would break i couldnt make hardly any balls in (breaking from the side rail) yet i would get a nice spread and leave my opponent a easy table to run some balls.

And this has gone well basically since the start of this session. Well last Thursday Aug-11 i was practicing using my playing cue, and noticed i was getting a really good break, making a ball or two and still getting a good spread, and also stopping the rock in the middle of the table.

So when my match came up i just used my playing cue to break with and was breaking the best i have all session.

Now i started to think about this afterwards, that maybe when using my break cue, i was breaking the rack so hard the balls were going towards the pockets to fast and where just rattling out.


I know there has been several threads about people breaking with thier playing cues.

But i am just looking for imput on what people do when they get a table that has fast cloth and good rails, and they cant seem to make a ball on the break.

 

[no-sho]

Break Cues

When I was young and played everyday nobody had or used a break cue. We all broke with our normal cue. I also spent alot of time watching the big boys play and they used their normal cue also. I then made a 10 year break and when I started to play again everybody had a break cue. Me being the asshole that I am, loudly stated for everyone to hear that, their cues must be so cheap that they can't break with them. As I blew the dust of my Tad and proceded to break and runout!
Now that I'm a even older, on a serious note, I realize that for MeThe only advantage to a break cue is you don't wear out your tip so fast by continually breaking with your playing cue. Of course I'm not an Old Has Been, I'am definetely A never was!

NO-SHO

 

[ceebee]

Now i started to think about this afterwards, that maybe when using my break cue, i was breaking the rack so hard the balls were going towards the pockets to fast and where just rattling out.

There is always room for adjustment on the Break Shot. (Speed, Lead Ball Contact Point, Cue Ball Hit). Trying to "force feed" the balls into the hole is isanity. I can stop my rock in center of the table, but if I have not made a ball & provided a shot for my opponent, I'm sure they will appreciate it.

We have the Diamond 7 Foot tables in Tulsa & a good 15-18 MPH break shot is all that is needed. The balls go in the hole & a good spread is gained. Accuracy of shot is the requirement, not Power. The Professionals have proven this to be TRUE.

 

[pete lafond]

Ok, my Thursday nite APA 9ball league plays on 7foot Diamond tables that are fairly new.

Now i started to notice that when i would break i couldnt make hardly any balls in (breaking from the side rail) yet i would get a nice spread and leave my opponent a easy table to run some balls.

And this has gone well basically since the start of this session. Well last Thursday Aug-11 i was practicing using my playing cue, and noticed i was getting a really good break, making a ball or two and still getting a good spread, and also stopping the rock in the middle of the table.

So when my match came up i just used my playing cue to break with and was breaking the best i have all session.

Now i started to think about this afterwards, that maybe when using my break cue, i was breaking the rack so hard the balls were going towards the pockets to fast and where just rattling out.


I know there has been several threads about people breaking with thier playing cues.

But i am just looking for imput on what people do when they get a table that has fast cloth and good rails, and they cant seem to make a ball on the break.

Most likely you are right, you were not breaking as hard. But also, I bet you were smoother in your break stroke and transferred the energy more efficiently.

 

[Black-Balled]

I do it all the time. Sometimes the balls break better without the super hard tip. I also find I can elevate the butt when I break w/ playing cue and it gives a nice pop, different hit than the flat smack you get w/ the break tips.

 

[StormHotRod300]

I myself dont notice that my tip wears out any fast, by using it to break with.

I never really tried doing a SOFT break, but it probably wouldnt hurt to learn one. And it dont really just try to break the rack as hard as possible. I try to break as hard as i can but still being able to control the CB. So if thats breaking at 25mph or 18mph so be it lol.

Obviously i have never had my break shot clocked for speed. But for the most part i do have a pretty hard break.

So i would say that i was breaking the same with my playing cue, but getting better results.


As for the hardness of a tip making a difference in the break. I do notice i get better control with a med-hard or med tip. But with a Hard tip i can really crush the rack, but control is kinda so-so.

dave

 

[deadstroke32]

Ok, my Thursday nite APA 9ball league plays on 7foot Diamond tables that are fairly new.

Now i started to notice that when i would break i couldnt make hardly any balls in (breaking from the side rail) yet i would get a nice spread and leave my opponent a easy table to run some balls.

And this has gone well basically since the start of this session. Well last Thursday Aug-11 i was practicing using my playing cue, and noticed i was getting a really good break, making a ball or two and still getting a good spread, and also stopping the rock in the middle of the table.

So when my match came up i just used my playing cue to break with and was breaking the best i have all session.

Now i started to think about this afterwards, that maybe when using my break cue, i was breaking the rack so hard the balls were going towards the pockets to fast and where just rattling out.


I know there has been several threads about people breaking with thier playing cues.

But i am just looking for imput on what people do when they get a table that has fast cloth and good rails, and they cant seem to make a ball on the break.

It's your tip .Leather holds the cb better..
and usein your shootin q .you'll won't hit as hard..
the fear of breakin it ....

 

[Bruce S. de Lis]

When I was young and played everyday nobody had or used a break cue. We all broke with our normal cue.

NO-SHO

When I started playing Pool it was at the Boys Club, and no one had their own Cues, no less a Break Cue.

Now a days I play on Real Table that do no Wobble, (like those at the Boys Club ) and had Rails that are not Dry As Bones, and have action.

Personally try to Play on NINE FOOT TABLES, and NOT BAR BOXES. do not like the little Tables.

Personally now try and find a Straight House Cue 2-2.5 Ounces lighter than my Playing Cue, as I BREAK BETTER with a Light Break Cue. Am also waiting for my Very Own Break Cue that I should have soon.

My Buddy is is a BCA Instructor, says the BREAK SHOT is the MOST IMPORTANT SHOT of the Game. Also most of the Pro Players, and Better Player I watch BREAK with a DIFFERENT Cue than there Playing Cue.

Break Cue is a Tool for a Specific Job........... Breaking....

 

[StormHotRod300]

Honestly, i have no fear of breaking this cue, My first big $ cue was a Schon LTD i bought in feb 2000, and i used that to break with for yrs.

And never worried about breaking the cue. All the cue's i have own'd i have used to break with, Schon, Meucci, Viking, and Espiritu.

And yes, i do like playing on 9ft tables alot more, and do practice and play on them alot more than a 7ft. But since all the leagues around here play on 7ft tables, thats what i am stuck with.

But yes lately, i have been thinking about getting rid of this break cue. because its almost ruining my game, lol. And i would probably be better off without it.

I do have a Lucasi Jump cue, so its not like i am without a jump cue.

 

[Fred Agnir]

Now i started to think about this afterwards, that maybe when using my break cue, i was breaking the rack so hard the balls were going towards the pockets to fast and where just rattling out.


I know there has been several threads about people breaking with thier playing cues.

But i am just looking for imput on what people do when they get a table that has fast cloth and good rails, and they cant seem to make a ball on the break.

I slow down my break, just like you figured out.

Fred

 

[Koop]

Me being the asshole that I am, loudly stated for everyone to hear that, their cues must be so cheap that they can't break with them. NO-SHO

You sound exactly like my Uncle Dean. Breaks and plays with his old Josswest and wouldn't think of doing anything else.
I asked him about it one time and his answer was almost identical to what you said. "Why would I spend money on a cue if I can't break with it?".

Thanks,
Koop

 

[Shorty]

Or you can get a cue thats good at both...and I recommend a Gilbert. Best money spent for both a player and a breaker.

Shorty

 

[Snapshot9]

Personally

If the playing cost more than $500-700, I would NOT
break with it because, a shaft could cost you anywhere
from $125 to $175 to replace.

When you can get a sneaky pete for $125-$225 (with a
hard tip) to use for breaking.

Which brings to mind a question, for a large tournaement,
should you have a break cue, and 2 playing cues in your
case, or wouldn't it be more logical to have 2 break cues
(or at least a break cue with 2 shafts) rather than 2 playing
cues since most people usually have 2 shafts with a playing
cue and you are more liable to break a shaft, split a tip or
ferrule on THE HARDER STROKE like breaking.

 

[Hershel]

My Buddy is is a BCA Instructor, says the BREAK SHOT is the MOST IMPORTANT SHOT of the Game. Also most of the Pro Players, and Better Player I watch BREAK with a DIFFERENT Cue than there Playing Cue.

Break Cue is a Tool for a Specific Job........... Breaking....

I think the reason why pros break with a different cue for the most part, is because of how much they play. Pool is their job. Most of them practice for the majority of the day, everyday. Thats why most have a seperate cue for breaking. They break so much that they don't want to wear down their tip faster than it already is wearing. Thats why most prefer the tip that lasts the longest. They can play well with any tip.

For someone that isn't playing all day, everyday, its not a big deal to break with your playing cue. As long as it is a good quality cue it shouldn't be a big deal to break with it IMO. One thing that I think though is that the joint shouldn't be wood to wood. I bought a sneaky for breaking and the top of the butt near the pin got a hairline crack. I stopped using it and now break with my playing cue and I am really comfortable doing so. I think that if you want to break with your playing cue, and its a good quality cue, go for it. If it isn't and you want to, still go for it. You can always get another for cheap. You aren't going to take the cue with you when you die, so use the damn thing.

 

[ceebee]

Professional always use the best tools possible to get a job done. Using a Break Cue, made for that purpose (tip shaft taper, weight & so on), is a good idea. If you can't afford one or simply choose to proove the "free world" WRONG, use your play cue.

I have a Predator BK & it is a magnificent tool. I could use a house cue or my playing cue, but I don't.

 

[Hershel]

How about if you break fine with your playing cue and dont like carrying around and having to worry about another stick. People that break with their own sticks aren't trying to prove anything. It is a choice that we make. What's the big deal? I wasn't saying that people with break cues are making a mistake getting one. If you think it improves your break or even if it does, go for it. If you don't want to get one, go for it as well.

 

[poolplayer3]

Why don't you try reading the racks. Improve your chances on making a ball by knowing what the spaces between the balls mean. "Racking Secrets" DVD by Joe Tucker has all the info. Can be found in the AZ MarketPlace