Why does cue ball jump off table on the break

8Ball48043

8Ball48043

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Went to a new pool hall last week, with 7 foot tables, with new clothe (I think). I don't think it was the size of the table, but .... nearly every time I broke, the cue ball hit the rack, then jumped off the table.

Too much top on the cue? Too much bottom on the cue?

Why does the cue ball jump off the table (sometimes) on the break.

Thanks.
 
You may be jacking up a little try to keep your cue as level as you can . This will help also check the racks before you break if the head ball comes loose it can cause the cueball to fly off the table .
 
8Ball48043 said:
Went to a new pool hall last week, with 7 foot tables, with new clothe (I think). I don't think it was the size of the table, but .... nearly every time I broke, the cue ball hit the rack, then jumped off the table.

Too much top on the cue? Too much bottom on the cue?

Why does the cue ball jump off the table (sometimes) on the break.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
This only happens when the head ball of the rack is not perfectly round. The cue ball hits the angles part and it jumps off the table.

-td

Ok, I made that up. ;)
 
8Ball48043 said:
Went to a new pool hall last week, with 7 foot tables, with new clothe (I think). I don't think it was the size of the table, but .... nearly every time I broke, the cue ball hit the rack, then jumped off the table.

Too much top on the cue? Too much bottom on the cue?

Why does the cue ball jump off the table (sometimes) on the break.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

If it happens on 7-foot tables but not on 9-footers, there are two likely reasons:

1. The bar box cue ball is bigger than the object balls (so it won't get stuck with the OBs in the return).

2. The distance between the CB and the rack is shorter, so the CB is hitting the head ball whle it's still in the air (the CB hops on almost every shot, farther on the break).

If the problem is #1 I don't know if there is a cure other than hitting softer.

If the problem is #2 you can either change the speed of your break or the distance from CB to rack (or both).

In either case it's always best to keep your cue as level as possible.

pj
chgo
 
I won't argue with anything that has been said here so far, however I'll add that it seems to me I've done this on a bar box more than on a nine footer and that would support the distance theory. For me, taking extra care to hit the head ball squarely makes a lot of difference. Of course, if it still happens I've learned to take off some speed.

Now that brings me to my question. When I hit the second ball side break in Eight Ball well it's magnificent ! The problem is that I OFTEN jump the cueball off when I hit the second ball first. I take extra care not to touch the head ball. Do I just need to reduce speed ? Little more inside ? Level cue ? Inquiring minds wanna know...Tom
 
tpdtom said:
I won't argue with anything that has been said here so far, however I'll add that it seems to me I've done this on a bar box more than on a nine footer and that would support the distance theory. For me, taking extra care to hit the head ball squarely makes a lot of difference. Of course, if it still happens I've learned to take off some speed.

Now that brings me to my question. When I hit the second ball side break in Eight Ball well it's magnificent ! The problem is that I OFTEN jump the cueball off when I hit the second ball first. I take extra care not to touch the head ball. Do I just need to reduce speed ? Little more inside ? Level cue ? Inquiring minds wanna know...Tom
Click to expand...
With the head on break you definitely need a level cue, keep the back end down. If you are having trouble doing that then you may try moving the cue ball either back or forward some. On most breaks the cue ball does come off the table slightly so you may need to time it to come back down at a different spot. If the ball is coming down to the table just before striking the head ball it is on its way up and off the table.

With the side break and into the second ball the break is different. This break requires more of a stroke . You need to insure that the cue ball draws to the side rail. I prefer hitting the second ball as full as possible with draw and outside English to bring the cue ball back toward the the center of the table.
 
8Ball48043 said:
Went to a new pool hall last week, with 7 foot tables, with new clothe (I think). I don't think it was the size of the table, but .... nearly every time I broke, the cue ball hit the rack, then jumped off the table.

Too much top on the cue? Too much bottom on the cue?

Why does the cue ball jump off the table (sometimes) on the break.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Your hitting the head ball either left or right of center, the reason your hitting the head ball left or right of center?? Without seeing you shoot the shot I cannot supply the answer. Could be your aiming, cue ball squirt, follow through....if whitey is flying off the table to the right approach the break shot more left and vise versa.
 
Last edited:
Patrick Johnson said:
If it happens on 7-foot tables but not on 9-footers, there are two likely reasons:

1. The bar box cue ball is bigger than the object balls (so it won't get stuck with the OBs in the return).

2. The distance between the CB and the rack is shorter, so the CB is hitting the head ball whle it's still in the air (the CB hops on almost every shot, farther on the break).

If the problem is #1 I don't know if there is a cure other than hitting softer.

If the problem is #2 you can either change the speed of your break or the distance from CB to rack (or both).

In either case it's always best to keep your cue as level as possible.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...
Ding Ding. We have a winner.:)
 
On the 9-foot vs bar-box theory:

It sounds like in both cases you are a little jacked up when you break causing the cue ball to become airborne. On a nine-foot there is more clearance from to rail to the rack so the cue ball has a little more room to settle on the table. You have less space on a barbox so when you break the same, the cue ball bounces off the table...also remember you are closer to the rack on barbox breaks, that will also cause your break to be more powerful and increase the effect of any hang-time.
 
It's aim..........

And all of the above.... :smile: What happens to whitey on your big table break?


td
 
maybe try breaking at 60% of full speed then gradually add a little more power so you get the feel of how hard you can hit the rack without making whitey pop off the table.
keeping a level cue stick is a must on a bar table break for ultimate control though
 
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