Unfortunately I don’t exactly have a monster break and consequently I have been looking for the best break cue to improve this part of my game. This has lead me down the road of purchasing and trying three top of the line break cues over the past 24 months. Given this experience I thought I would pass along some of my findings.
I started with the X-Breaker (original), and when it developed a problem, got the X-Breaker 2nd Generation made by Samsura. I played with this break cue from July to March 07. Given this period of time, many local players have also given it a shot at the pool hall. In general, the cue came with three weight bolts that I could insert at will. After experimenting with the weights, I liked the cue with no weight bolts.
After using this cue, I can say that it by far the best jump cue that I own. For whatever reason, when I need to jump, I break the cue down and jumping is a complete breeze. For that I love the X-Breaker. In terms of breaking, I find the X-Breaker to be good. The balls spread well. The problem for me is that I can’t seem to drop a ball consistently enough. At the level of my opponents, if I give them a wide open table, there is a good chance I am being run out if something doesn’t drop. Spreads are great, but balls drop 30-40% of the time which hurts me. I am also not that big a fan of the sound. It seems like glass breaking to some degree. I was asked on a couple of occassions if something was wrong with the cue.
Being a bit frustrated, I got the Gulyassy J/B cue. I used this break cue for approximately 2 months and have had some good results with breaking. Ball spread again is excellent and my potting of balls on the break has increased. The taper of the shaft is smaller then the X-Breaker and the tip is slightly smaller also. Overall I like the cue quite a bit for breaking. As for jumping, it does not perform like the X-Breaker. Then again, I’m not sure if anything is quite like the X-Breaker (I’m going to have to try the X-Jumper someday). The sound is decent enough, and the cue performs well. I would say that I am happy the cues performance and it is an improvement in my breaking over the X-Breaker.
When I ordered the Gulyassy, I was debating between the Varney and it. I then saw a used Varney come up for sale and decided to give it a try despite being happy with my current break cue set-up. I knew I could sell it for virtually the same price if I didn’t like it. All I can say is that I’m glad I made this decision! Out of the three cues, the Varney to me provides more explosion, more balls, more crack, and more consistency. It is really hard to say but the cue seems to cause the balls to ‘crack and explode’. The spread is always great, the sound is much more appealing, and the results are phenomenal! I am making a ball off the break probably 60-70% of the time now (which is great for me). I have also had 5 break and run-outs in the last two weeks. To put it in perspective I have 7 lifetime in league and most of those are off the other person’s break. Now, I am getting a table that can be run out, and more importantly, I am making balls time after time on the break. Overall, this was suppose to be a used cue, but Kevin had just refinished it to new. It is in perfect shape… did I mention that the balls seem to explode? LOL… OK, OK, as for jumping, the cue is good but I still like the X-Breaker. I have to practice with the Varney to see if it will replace that jump cue. As of right now, I will be breaking with the Varney and I’m not looking for another break cue. It is definitely the best break cue that I have every tried
I started with the X-Breaker (original), and when it developed a problem, got the X-Breaker 2nd Generation made by Samsura. I played with this break cue from July to March 07. Given this period of time, many local players have also given it a shot at the pool hall. In general, the cue came with three weight bolts that I could insert at will. After experimenting with the weights, I liked the cue with no weight bolts.
After using this cue, I can say that it by far the best jump cue that I own. For whatever reason, when I need to jump, I break the cue down and jumping is a complete breeze. For that I love the X-Breaker. In terms of breaking, I find the X-Breaker to be good. The balls spread well. The problem for me is that I can’t seem to drop a ball consistently enough. At the level of my opponents, if I give them a wide open table, there is a good chance I am being run out if something doesn’t drop. Spreads are great, but balls drop 30-40% of the time which hurts me. I am also not that big a fan of the sound. It seems like glass breaking to some degree. I was asked on a couple of occassions if something was wrong with the cue.
Being a bit frustrated, I got the Gulyassy J/B cue. I used this break cue for approximately 2 months and have had some good results with breaking. Ball spread again is excellent and my potting of balls on the break has increased. The taper of the shaft is smaller then the X-Breaker and the tip is slightly smaller also. Overall I like the cue quite a bit for breaking. As for jumping, it does not perform like the X-Breaker. Then again, I’m not sure if anything is quite like the X-Breaker (I’m going to have to try the X-Jumper someday). The sound is decent enough, and the cue performs well. I would say that I am happy the cues performance and it is an improvement in my breaking over the X-Breaker.
When I ordered the Gulyassy, I was debating between the Varney and it. I then saw a used Varney come up for sale and decided to give it a try despite being happy with my current break cue set-up. I knew I could sell it for virtually the same price if I didn’t like it. All I can say is that I’m glad I made this decision! Out of the three cues, the Varney to me provides more explosion, more balls, more crack, and more consistency. It is really hard to say but the cue seems to cause the balls to ‘crack and explode’. The spread is always great, the sound is much more appealing, and the results are phenomenal! I am making a ball off the break probably 60-70% of the time now (which is great for me). I have also had 5 break and run-outs in the last two weeks. To put it in perspective I have 7 lifetime in league and most of those are off the other person’s break. Now, I am getting a table that can be run out, and more importantly, I am making balls time after time on the break. Overall, this was suppose to be a used cue, but Kevin had just refinished it to new. It is in perfect shape… did I mention that the balls seem to explode? LOL… OK, OK, as for jumping, the cue is good but I still like the X-Breaker. I have to practice with the Varney to see if it will replace that jump cue. As of right now, I will be breaking with the Varney and I’m not looking for another break cue. It is definitely the best break cue that I have every tried
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