What are the best strategies for breaking in 9-ball?
Respect the 8 Ball. Surprising nobody at all, you’ll need to have a certain amount of respect for the 8 ball during the remainder of any match, and not just because it’s the namesake of this game. After the break, mishandling the 8 ball is usually the source of most fouls that players both new and old earn for themselves.
. I will give you a fresh tip, though, on getting that 9-ball moving out of the pack when you hit it from a tightly racked, fairly racked 9-Ball game break. Place your cue ball for the break approximately ½ diamond from the head spot along the head string (see the accompanying diagram and use 'A' if you're right handed and position 'B' if. Find your perfect pool cue with my help! Making the 8 Ball on a break is no easy feat. It's a bit of a luck shot. Note: The opening Break was left out of this article because it is a very advanced shot that usually only occurs once per game. Since you have to call every shot, expert players play safe on the first break of the game. Don’t get caught up on learning the safe break. 8 Ball Pool SPIN TUTORIAL- How To Use Spin THIS WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU PLAY - Duration: 9:07. ItsAamir Recommended for you. Clips HSV 7.8-7.11 show some examples of 8-ball motion. The far 2nd-row ball also has a tendency to bank cross side with some equipment and racks. Not all leagues and tournaments award a game victory for making the 8-ball on the break; but if they do, it is wise to try to increase your chances for pocketing the 8-ball.
Vol. I of the Video Encyclopedia of Nine-ball and Ten-ball (VENT) covers all 9-ball breaking strategy, effects, and techniques in great detail. This resource is strongly recommended. For a good overview of 9-ball break strategies, for all types of breaking rules, see “9-Ball Break Strategy” (BD, January, 2021), “How to Rack and Break 9-Ball Like a Pro” (BD, March, 2018), and the following video:
The most important strategy is to have good break technique. This is covered in detail on the break technique resource page and in “How to Break Like a Pro” (BD, September, 2016).
Generally, as shown below, the goal on a 9-ball break (either by breaking from the side rail or with a cut break from the “box”) is to pocket the “wing ball” and get a shot at the 1 after the break. For the “wing ball” to go, the four balls in the “L” or “hockey stick” path must be frozen. If they are not, the wing ball will generally go too high.
If the 9 is racked on the spot, the wing ball can be pocketed by breaking from the side with a cut break, where you hit the 1 at a slight angle (off square slightly) on the outside. You can also pocket the 1 in the side or bank it off the side rail to the upper corner pocket. You can change the directions the wing and 1 balls head by changing the amount of cut (more cut makes both balls go lower). The far corner ball (opposite the wing ball) can also have a tendency to bank three rails to the side pocket with a 9-on-the-spot side cut break (depending on conditions and the amount of cut).
An advantage of a cut break is that the CB can come off the side rail into the stationary 9, possibly resulting in a “golden break” (pocketing the 9 on the break). Here are some examples (notice how the CB is also at risk of scratching with this approach):
If the 3-point rule is in force, and you are required to break “from the box,” a larger cut is required to pocket the wing ball (especially if the 9 is on the spot), and a cut break can be a little risky since you cannot get as much power into the rack.
How To Pot The 8 Ball On Break Game Pigeon
If pattern racking and ball gapping is not prohibited, you might want to take advantage of those approaches (maybe in combination with a soft break per the Corey Deuel example on the pattern racking page).
How To Get 8 Ball In On Break Game Pigeons
The following videos also have some useful advice and analysis of what some top pros do to break well (and sometimes cheat):
For more information, see: “How to Rack and Break 9-Ball Like a Pro” (BD, March, 2018).
It is helpful to know racking and breaking strategy, but it is just as important to know how to get a tight rack.
Here are some statistics for effectiveness of pro 9-ball breaks.
How To Make 8 Ball On Break Game Pigeon
from Jeff Johnson (in Facebook post):
In the TAR 17 match vs Shane , Donny Mills repeatedly executed the most amazing 9-ball break I’ve ever seen (see below). Notice how the 1-4 balls end on one side of the table and 6-9 on the other. Notice also that the 3-ball goes two rails and RICOCHETS off the 6-ball, sending the 3-ball up table. I’m not lying; he did it time after time.
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