I know, I know it's not what you thought it was going to be about but the other day I was reading one of my fellow AZB member's post about the OB Break Shaft.
The poster was suggesting to OB Cues/Royce that he reduce the height of the tip that comes on the OB Break shaft and as I was reading his post, I was kind of nodding my head in agreement. The tip is rather tall. It's hard to deny that.
I have a few confessions. As I said, the tip is rather tall. I have the OB Break Shaft mounted to a Predator BK2. I actually like breaking with a Predator BK2 but I have been experimenting with some of the OB products and like what I have found. Maybe it's just me but after getting past some subjective stuff, I am becoming more pleased with the OB products by the day.
I have been using the OB Break Shaft for a month or two with mixed results. Last night, one of my Filpino buddies, Robert Bajao and I were playing some nine rocket and I brought my multi-autographed Delta 13 rack, you know, the high end one with the black and silver. I purchased it at a Jacksonville, FL tournament I went to in 2008 and had a few top pros sign the inside of the rack.
The rack sat in my bedroom for over a year collecting dust. Dennis Orcullo, Johnny Archer, Charlie Williams and the very young German kid had signed the rack and no one really had a chance to appreciate the rack or the signatures. Anyway, we have these Diamond wood racks that just don't provide a tight consistent rack. Even the one ball will often stick to the front inside of the rack when you try to pull the rack away from the balls. Every now and then you will get an old wooden rack and it will have a splinter that will stick you but what is worse is the splinter will sometimes pierce my glove starting new holes in my relatively new glove.
So I decided to bring the rack to the pool room to use it. I'm not much of a collector and only value things that I use. After the pool room got a charge out of looking at the signatures and then looking at my like I'm nuts, we started playing 9 ball. The Delta 13 racked the balls extremely well, even though most of the balls are rather OLD; maybe 4 years old (since Hurricane Katrina). Buffalo Billiards lost EVERY SINGLE THING in the hurricane and had to start from scratch. Anyway, after just a little adjustment of moving the balls around on the spot, we were able to get the balls nice and tight on all racks.
So, I notice that we are making balls on the break, fairly consistently which is normally a rarity on the tight Diamond tables and high humidity conditions we play on. Now, I have been working hard on staying down on the shot (one of my big problems) and I seemed to be making tough shots with consistency. I'm feeling pretty good and I have also had a problem with my break, not being consistent so I have been reviewing all of the links and videos that my fellow posters have been sharing as well as their ideas about what it takes to break well.
So now, I know I am getting a good consistent tight rack and I have started developing my own little break and I notice it is going rather well. As we start a new set and I am just realizing that I am making one or two balls on every break and the cue ball is squatting in the middle of the table on practically every break. It is an exhilerating feeling having the power to break, make balls consistently and squat the cue ball practically every single time. With each break my confidence is growing and I am breaking harder, squatting the cue ball with uncanny precision and it is just fun, fun, fun.
Here's what I learned about breaking: First, you must have a consistent, tight rack. Secondly, you have to study how other people break and practice their breaks. Thirdly, you have to find out what works for you and that includes equipment but especially technique.
I have pretty good power and in the past it has just been kind of raw, undisciplined power, with the ball not hitting it's mark consistently and the balls not responding in the manner you would hope for them to. Mostly, it has always been my technique that has held me back. Once in a blue moon I have been able to squat the cue ball but most of the time it has a mind of it's own and by-standers have to be careful.
So I have been experimenting with EVERYONE's style of breaking. Thanks to everyone for providing all of the great links of each of the pros breaking techniques but I finally have something that is working incredibly well. tECHNIQUE WISE, I am doing the same thing I have always done, EXCEPT now instead of trying to time a rise to break harder, I am standing a little closer to the table by a few inches and pulling the cue stick back (without rising) and as I come forward with the stroke, I move my body forward and my body just kind of automatically rises a little bit, but with the results I am getting I am going to stay with what I am doing.
This has just been my latest epiphany and today when I hit the slate, it may have evaporated like an opium addict's dream. We'll see. I do know it was the most incredible night of breaking that I have ever experienced. Right now, I am just thinking to myself that there are MANY ways to do things, shooting, aiming, and yes breaking. It is not easy to find out what works best for you unless you are trying many different things. You can stay stuck in your rut or you can get out there and find out what works for you.
If I come back in a few days or a week and start posting that my wild and unsavory break has returned, please don't berate me too much. If you see me at DCC and you have to dodge my flying cue ball, just smile and walk away. :wink:
My journey is your journey if you wish it to be. It is a stubborn, disciplined, tumultuos, roller-coaster ride and I'm just having fun sharing the sights I see through my eyes. :smile: Who knows it might help someone to improve their game one day. At a worst case scenario, it might just help you pass a good time while sitting in front of the computer.
Oh what a night!
JoeyA
The poster was suggesting to OB Cues/Royce that he reduce the height of the tip that comes on the OB Break shaft and as I was reading his post, I was kind of nodding my head in agreement. The tip is rather tall. It's hard to deny that.
I have a few confessions. As I said, the tip is rather tall. I have the OB Break Shaft mounted to a Predator BK2. I actually like breaking with a Predator BK2 but I have been experimenting with some of the OB products and like what I have found. Maybe it's just me but after getting past some subjective stuff, I am becoming more pleased with the OB products by the day.
I have been using the OB Break Shaft for a month or two with mixed results. Last night, one of my Filpino buddies, Robert Bajao and I were playing some nine rocket and I brought my multi-autographed Delta 13 rack, you know, the high end one with the black and silver. I purchased it at a Jacksonville, FL tournament I went to in 2008 and had a few top pros sign the inside of the rack.
The rack sat in my bedroom for over a year collecting dust. Dennis Orcullo, Johnny Archer, Charlie Williams and the very young German kid had signed the rack and no one really had a chance to appreciate the rack or the signatures. Anyway, we have these Diamond wood racks that just don't provide a tight consistent rack. Even the one ball will often stick to the front inside of the rack when you try to pull the rack away from the balls. Every now and then you will get an old wooden rack and it will have a splinter that will stick you but what is worse is the splinter will sometimes pierce my glove starting new holes in my relatively new glove.
So I decided to bring the rack to the pool room to use it. I'm not much of a collector and only value things that I use. After the pool room got a charge out of looking at the signatures and then looking at my like I'm nuts, we started playing 9 ball. The Delta 13 racked the balls extremely well, even though most of the balls are rather OLD; maybe 4 years old (since Hurricane Katrina). Buffalo Billiards lost EVERY SINGLE THING in the hurricane and had to start from scratch. Anyway, after just a little adjustment of moving the balls around on the spot, we were able to get the balls nice and tight on all racks.
So, I notice that we are making balls on the break, fairly consistently which is normally a rarity on the tight Diamond tables and high humidity conditions we play on. Now, I have been working hard on staying down on the shot (one of my big problems) and I seemed to be making tough shots with consistency. I'm feeling pretty good and I have also had a problem with my break, not being consistent so I have been reviewing all of the links and videos that my fellow posters have been sharing as well as their ideas about what it takes to break well.
So now, I know I am getting a good consistent tight rack and I have started developing my own little break and I notice it is going rather well. As we start a new set and I am just realizing that I am making one or two balls on every break and the cue ball is squatting in the middle of the table on practically every break. It is an exhilerating feeling having the power to break, make balls consistently and squat the cue ball practically every single time. With each break my confidence is growing and I am breaking harder, squatting the cue ball with uncanny precision and it is just fun, fun, fun.
Here's what I learned about breaking: First, you must have a consistent, tight rack. Secondly, you have to study how other people break and practice their breaks. Thirdly, you have to find out what works for you and that includes equipment but especially technique.
I have pretty good power and in the past it has just been kind of raw, undisciplined power, with the ball not hitting it's mark consistently and the balls not responding in the manner you would hope for them to. Mostly, it has always been my technique that has held me back. Once in a blue moon I have been able to squat the cue ball but most of the time it has a mind of it's own and by-standers have to be careful.
So I have been experimenting with EVERYONE's style of breaking. Thanks to everyone for providing all of the great links of each of the pros breaking techniques but I finally have something that is working incredibly well. tECHNIQUE WISE, I am doing the same thing I have always done, EXCEPT now instead of trying to time a rise to break harder, I am standing a little closer to the table by a few inches and pulling the cue stick back (without rising) and as I come forward with the stroke, I move my body forward and my body just kind of automatically rises a little bit, but with the results I am getting I am going to stay with what I am doing.
This has just been my latest epiphany and today when I hit the slate, it may have evaporated like an opium addict's dream. We'll see. I do know it was the most incredible night of breaking that I have ever experienced. Right now, I am just thinking to myself that there are MANY ways to do things, shooting, aiming, and yes breaking. It is not easy to find out what works best for you unless you are trying many different things. You can stay stuck in your rut or you can get out there and find out what works for you.
If I come back in a few days or a week and start posting that my wild and unsavory break has returned, please don't berate me too much. If you see me at DCC and you have to dodge my flying cue ball, just smile and walk away. :wink:
My journey is your journey if you wish it to be. It is a stubborn, disciplined, tumultuos, roller-coaster ride and I'm just having fun sharing the sights I see through my eyes. :smile: Who knows it might help someone to improve their game one day. At a worst case scenario, it might just help you pass a good time while sitting in front of the computer.
Oh what a night!
JoeyA
Last edited: