Nine ball pool. winner or alternate break better?

Question

watching the 2006 world nine ball pool championships which uses the latter format, i wonder which format would u guys prefer? i know both has their pros n cons, which would be ur preference? though both depends on personal skill, ultimately u depend on ur opponent to slip up to win too, depending on which side u r. i am not a pro pool player, so i shall leave the ans to the pros. haha ;)

Answer 1

Alternate break evens it a little bit.....some days you can't buy a ball on the break......yes, sometimes someone can run out several racks and you not even get a chance.......Earl Strickland ran what(?) 11-12 racks for 1 million several years back (he had to settle for a lesser amount)......alternate gives you a chance but as I said sometimes you can't make one.......so don't lose your serve on some of these guys 'fore you'll never get it back......suggestion:  always thought that a "hill" game should be 9 ball last ball in......how would you like to climb all the way back and your opponent "snaps" the 9 or get a 1-9 combo to win the $$$$

Answer 2

I tend to agree that the alternating break format works well for professional players.  For anything below professional, I'm a stickler for winner breaking.  Pool is unique in that, unlike most other sports, after scoring, the player gets to keep scoring.  In most sports, after a basket, or an touchdown, the other side gets the ball.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 3

winner

Answer 4

For advanced pool players alternate break is better, it gives the other person a chance, because it is possible for a good player to run 3 or 4 tables in a row.

Answer 5

Insist upon winner breaks. This gives motivation to win for the non-gambling crowd. It is also not a huge advantage to break for average players.

If you play a winner breaks format. You can use that as a bargaining chip to get a game. Let's say I ask you to race to five for fifty. If you are close to taking the bet but are on the edge. I can offer you all of the breaks to entice you.

Regardless of your intentions. Winner breaks is best in 9-ball.