I've seen a couple threads on here about breaking as hard as bustamante, how to get more power, how you can add 25mph to your break using john doe's custom break cue, etc. Are you guys trying to smack the rack as hard as you can or something?
why do you want to break so hard?
- Thread starter Egg McDogit
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The way I see it, it's one more shot in your arsenal. I think people should know how to break both hard and soft; from the center of the table as well as from the side rails.
When people are asking how to break harder, I don't think it's for exclusive use when breaking. But when a soft break isn't working, you should be able to step it up with a power break if necessary.
When people are asking how to break harder, I don't think it's for exclusive use when breaking. But when a soft break isn't working, you should be able to step it up with a power break if necessary.
Egg McDogit said:
Gotta impress the ladies 
.
But i agree, its another arrow in the quiver.
Last saturday while i was playing my normal break and soft break just wasnt working from multiple positions. Meanwhile going all out and slamming the rack forgetting about cue ball control (but caring enough not to scratch) and i was finally able to drop some balls on break. No point in spreading the rack well and squatting the cue ball when its yur opponent thats going to get the table.
.But i agree, its another arrow in the quiver.
Last saturday while i was playing my normal break and soft break just wasnt working from multiple positions. Meanwhile going all out and slamming the rack forgetting about cue ball control (but caring enough not to scratch) and i was finally able to drop some balls on break. No point in spreading the rack well and squatting the cue ball when its yur opponent thats going to get the table.
last ditch for me
If my usual breaks aren't working I will either go to a really nasty break if playing nine ball or a very hard one playing eight or nine.
The nasty break separates the one and cueball with almost always a lot of balls in between making anything but a kick impossible and some of them difficult. Of course then when we are not playing push outs a ball finally decides to find a pocket for me!
If my usual breaks aren't working I will either go to a really nasty break if playing nine ball or a very hard one playing eight or nine.
The nasty break separates the one and cueball with almost always a lot of balls in between making anything but a kick impossible and some of them difficult. Of course then when we are not playing push outs a ball finally decides to find a pocket for me!
Egg McDogit said:
I just want to add that if you notice the players who break harder tend to get the easier lay outs in 9 ball because a lot of balls head down table. Much easier to play position when half the rack is situated from the middle of the table and down.
A lot of straight pool experienced players would disagree. They think it is easier to run balls all located at one end of the table because you don't have to go up and down the table.Cameron Smith said:
Bert Kinister has a video on the soft break where he discusses this idea.
Apples. Oranges.
GADawg said:
StevenPWaldon said:
Don't think so. Bert's video(with Neils Feijen) is specifically about the soft break in 9 ball. He relates it to straight pool but it is an instructional tape about the 9 ball soft break.
Corey Duell has been playing with the soft break for a long time. Earl walked out of a match with Corey one time because he was using the soft break so effectively.
Well with Top Level players if they can break hard and squat the CB in the middle of the table, it benefits them because they will be able to sometimes pocket more balls. Which in turn leaves the table wide open to run out.
Breaking hard isnt Always needed when playing pool. Expecially when you cant control the CB.
If you look at Corey Deuel, when they didnt have a rule about SoftBreaking, he killed everyone by breaking just hard enough to pocket a ball and controlling the CB and running out.
dave
Breaking hard isnt Always needed when playing pool. Expecially when you cant control the CB.
If you look at Corey Deuel, when they didnt have a rule about SoftBreaking, he killed everyone by breaking just hard enough to pocket a ball and controlling the CB and running out.
dave
Bigg,
Its tough to judge what a person gains or loses with a phenolic tip.
The First time i had a phenolic tip on a break cue, it was disaster, no CB control at all, and CB flying off the table alot.
Now that i have learned how to control my break better expecially with a Phenolic tip, i notice i can break with normal power and still get a good spread.
I also have good CB control to go along with it too.
Some people gain alot of power, but loose the CB control.
dave
Its tough to judge what a person gains or loses with a phenolic tip.
The First time i had a phenolic tip on a break cue, it was disaster, no CB control at all, and CB flying off the table alot.
Now that i have learned how to control my break better expecially with a Phenolic tip, i notice i can break with normal power and still get a good spread.
I also have good CB control to go along with it too.
Some people gain alot of power, but loose the CB control.
dave
I would rather my first shot be w/ 7 or fewer balls onthe table, than 8 or 9...
Egg McDogit said:
For me, if I can break them hard, even with a lack of control, the middle of the table gets cleared up more often, giving:
1) the best opportunity to see the lowest ball
2) the best opportunity for easy pathways.
That is, squatting the cueball with control means nothing if the balls don't spread out of the center of the table.
Some slower tables, the balls won't spread out of the center of the table without a solid and fast break. Granted, many tables with fast cloth and relatively clean balls spread just fine with a slower (~<20 mph) break.
If you can do both fast and slow breaks, you'll be prepared for most sets of table conditions.
Fred
GADawg said:
Since I can't shoot a straight shot, making a ball on the break is my best chance to make a ball, period.
Jokes aside, I've seen Corey on tapes and ESPN breaking soft A lot of people don't understand what is going on.
When the tables are breaking correctly, Corey is able to BOTH make a ball (usually the wing ball), AND position the cue ball. Some think that guys are trying to smash the rack full force, and hope something good happens.
This is the farthest thing from the truth. It's about control. Control the rack, control the cue ball.
You power means zero if you are not hitting the contact point on the object ball.
GADawg said:
I'm not sure this was the case. Earl walked out of the match more because he was frustrated with the rack than with Corey's break. His beef was, according to him anyways, that Scott was putting the balls up for Corey differently than he was for Earl. I know Scott and kind of doubt that but who knows.
Break Speed
Using the laser gun by a few different people...there are only a handful that have a speed in excess of 30 MPH !
Most players seem to break in the neighborhood of about 16 > 20 mph...REALLY!
Many prefer heavy and a few prefer light cues. When I try a heavy cue I seem to only be able to get up to the 20 mph. When using a light cue I get up to about 25>26 mph. *I seldom scratch*
Depending on the way that different tables play, you need to be smart enough to change your break angle and speed. Watch other players breaking on the tables you will soon be playing.
Using the laser gun by a few different people...there are only a handful that have a speed in excess of 30 MPH !
Most players seem to break in the neighborhood of about 16 > 20 mph...REALLY!
Many prefer heavy and a few prefer light cues. When I try a heavy cue I seem to only be able to get up to the 20 mph. When using a light cue I get up to about 25>26 mph. *I seldom scratch*
Depending on the way that different tables play, you need to be smart enough to change your break angle and speed. Watch other players breaking on the tables you will soon be playing.