What's the best technique to use for the break when playing 8-ball?

Question

as in where do you position the cue ball, and what kind of spin do you put on it, and where do you strike the first ball with the cue ball? and sometimes the d**n thing goes flying off the table on the break. how do i prevent that?

Answer 1

This is a good question that you've asked here.  It really doesn't matter so much where you position the cue ball except that the cue ball has the shortest distance to travel by placing it somewhere towards the middle.  You don't want to put excessive spin on the cue ball, so stay as close as possible to a center ball hit.  Here's the real key to a successful break shot.  Always hit the apex ball (head ball) full on.  You don't want to be off to the left or right even a little bit.  It all has to do with energy transfer.  When you hit the apex ball full on, you are transferring 100% of the cue ball's energy into the rack.  When you miss to the left or right, you can automatically lose up to 50% of the effective force and the remaining energy will stay with the cue ball and make it run around the table.  You want to be able to park the cue ball in the center of the table.  This gives you the greatest amount of options after the break shot.  If you're jumping the cue ball off the table, you're probably doing two things wrong.  First, you're hitting way too hard.  Second, you have faulty stroke mechanics.  Remember my motto regarding break shots, "Speed without control is worse than nothing".  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 2

Same answer for me as previous same question....you do not have to hit the first ball to be a legal break....the best break on 8 ball is from the side....hit the second ball in and not the first one....you must hit it solid or full-on...with very very little draw to avoid the scratch....you jumping the table is because you are not hitting the #1 ball flush.....as I said hit the #2 ball flush and watch the balls spread really nice.....more then once the 8 moves toward the opposite side pocket....but it is still a "luck" shot......the only thing is that you must be able to run out for you have spread the balls really good for your opponent

Answer 3

i almost always use topspin just to move through the balls. sometimes i don't use spin and just concentrate on getting a solid hard break with a stroke that flows all the way through the ball. I usually shoot from the middle, too often i'll slide down the triangle and scratch on a break from the side.

Answer 4

Listen to Straight

He beat me again

My 8 on break stuff is a novelty shot dont even count in Reg play off the table your on top of the cue ball hit lower with a level stick.