What side of the table to break from?

Muttonchops

Muttonchops

Banned
My Buddy Dr Dave and I (as I call him) were talking about this today while playing 8ball. We both break 2nd ball, we both play left handed, all things being equal, he'd rather break from the right side, I'd rather from the left side? does it matter?

Any advice, so I can rub Dave's nose in it? He's my best mate. Ya know what I'm saying?
 
Which side you use depends on the table and the playing conditions that day. Some days one side will work better. So, you should be comfortable with breaking from either side.
 
I usually inspect the rack if I break 2nd ball looking for the gaps. (usually I break head ball) I tend to cluster on the side I'm breaking from when going for 8 ball break on the 2nd ball. BCA you don't win on an 8 snap.
 
If you insist on a generalized answer without merit, then you can disregard the helpful advice others have posted.

For me, it was well worth watching Joe Tucker Racking Secrets. Once you start to notice the subtle differences such as ball gaps and rack tilt, you can take these to your advantage. That includes changing which side of the table I break from.
 
Black-Balled said:
As long as choices exist, there will be no single 'best' choice for all situations
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That's true, but I thought there were pool punduit's here offering free advice. We both play either hand and shoot behind our backs just for position. It's a chess match. Dave has cataracts. Any chance I get him facing Sun here on the beach. Not really the beach in Pocac. but hey Game over. :wink:
 
I used to play the 8-Ball break but did not make a ball on the break often enough. I studied Colin Colenso's power break (at the age of 70) and found that I can bring 7- 9 balls past the side pocket and make a ball on the break about 8 out of ten breaks. Not bad for an old guy.

I am right handed and tend to break from the right side about a half ball to a half diamond off center. Seems I have a tendency to pull the cue towards my body on the power break (though I fight it) and the right side helps me stay on line.

The guy with the little green book (can't remember his name right now). Said you should break with your cue to the inside of the table to allow for pulling the cue or some such. I find the opposite to be true.

After a few breaks in which a ball doesn't drop I switch sides so it isn't a big issue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW1tsONEI_U Colin's power break video.
 
Muttonchops said:
My Buddy Dr Dave and I (as I call him) were talking about this today while playing 8ball. We both break 2nd ball, we both play left handed, all things being equal, he'd rather break from the right side, I'd rather from the left side? does it matter?

Any advice, so I can rub Dave's nose in it? He's my best mate. Ya know what I'm saying?
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All tables break different...why? Tables break different because of the cloth itself creates gaps between the balls themselves. The only true way of determining what break works on a given table is by the wear on the cloth itself by the other players who have found it's sweet spot.
 
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I am a lefty and break from the right. I align the CB with the corner pocket and the 2nd ball and hit it med speed below center and don't have issues pocketing a ball on a BB. The table also effects the style break. I feel comfortable on right side since my body is away from the table with room the put some power in it if I need to.
 
Are you breaking right over either side, bridging on the side rail? Everyone has a side of the table they prefer breaking from when bridging on a rail, but you have to practice both sides. I find the 8 ball break the hardest to predict. I never break second ball, always the head ball. Its so much easier for me to control the white whilst managing to slop a ball or 2 in.

Read Joe Tuckers racking secrets. Its best instruction about reading the rack I've ever seen. You quickly realise there isn't a best side to break from all the time, and the best side depends massively on how the rack is sitting.

Regardless, if you are playing on a bar box you can break from the exact same spot almost everytime and slop a few balls in, no matter what the rack is like.
 
I am right handed and if I break from the rail near the head string, I find breaking from the left gives me more power. From the right not as much power but better control. If I don't break from the rail it's the same either side. Depends on the rack more then anything.
 
Muttonchops said:
My Buddy Dr Dave and I (as I call him) were talking about this today while playing 8ball. We both break 2nd ball, we both play left handed, all things being equal, he'd rather break from the right side, I'd rather from the left side? does it matter?

Any advice, so I can rub Dave's nose in it? He's my best mate. Ya know what I'm saying?
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You can tell "Dr. Dave" that Dr. Dave said the best side to break from is the side that is most comfortable and most effective for an individual on a given table.

Regards,
Dr. Dave
 
dr_dave said:
For those interested, here's another useful break technique video:

NV D.14 - Pool Break Technique Advice - from Vol-III of the Billiard University instructional DVD series

Some people might benefit from the info and advice in this video.

More advice and videos can be found here:

break technique and equipment advice resource page

Enjoy,
Dave
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The "Real" Dr Dave speaks. I hope you don't mind me using your moniker for my best mate...he really thinks about the game in these sloppy conditions. I know lot's of people make fun of you here, but I've learned lots from reading your website as a developing player. Thanks.
 
Muttonchops said:
The "Real" Dr Dave speaks. I hope you don't mind me using your moniker for my best mate...he really thinks about the game in these sloppy conditions. I know lot's of people make fun of you here, but I've learned lots from reading your website as a developing player. Thanks.
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Always easy to make fun of the king... But never to his face.

He make take your land for his kingdom.
 
Muttonchops said:
The "Real" Dr Dave speaks. I hope you don't mind me using your moniker for my best mate...
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... only if he stays at Holiday Inn Express periodically or qualifies for a BU Doctorate of Pool. :grin-square:

Actually, if you do a Google search for "Dr. Dave," you will see I'm not the only person that uses it.

Muttonchops said:
I know lot's of people make fun of you here, but I've learned lots from reading your website as a developing player. Thanks.
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You're welcome ... and thank you.

Regards,
Dave
 
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