What is the best the best way to break in pool, to make an 8 ball break?

Question

What is the best the best way to break in pool, to make an 8 ball break?

Answer 1

Here's a good way to get more snap and power on your break.  Choke up about 6 - 8  inches on the cue and grip it so lightly that it is basically being held by two fingers.  You might be surprised at the difference from your normal break.

Gripping the stick very tightly takes away from the power and action of the cue ball, whether breaking or trying to impart draw on a normal shot.

Answer 2

all you do is hit it really hard

Answer 3

What shooter says is very true , good answer. I would just like to put in my 2 cents here if ya don't mind. I play in a small independent league here in small town Illinois and an 8 ball break is a win for us. The way shooter described it is a good way to better your chances of an 8 on the break. I just wanna add that when your shooting at the second ball in the rack try to hit as much of that ball as possible. This is the only shot where rising up as you shoot it is a good idea , This allows you to use your upper body strength on the break shot. Always keep a loose grip on the cue stick and follow through as you are coming up. You will be surprised at the power you gain on your break. As shooter said , you will lose cue ball control and that is not a good thing. But if I am way ahead in a match I don't mind taking a risk or two , It usually works out for me , maybe it's just dumb luck , I dunno. Another little trick I learned is hitting the third ball back in the rack . If I am having no luck with hitting the second ball hitting the third ball sometimes works. In 1 four month session of my pool league I made 22 8 ball breaks , playing twice a week, scratched on 3 so 19 of them were game winners. Some were match winners. I don't wanna sound like I am bragging , that is really not my character. I was just breaking really good at that time and it paid off good for me and my team. Haven't had a session like that in a while. Guess I'm not living up to my yahoo I.D. , lol. Shooter deserves the credit here , he is exactly right. I just like to take chances sometimes when I am ahead in a match and feeling good , that's all. Good luck to ya. Oh , by the way I never try an 8 ball break when my opponent is on the hill. Losing the cue ball is to risky, and I don't wanna give the match away.

Answer 4

I assume that your are talking about coin-op bar tables.  It's actually not a win to pocket the 8-ball on the break.  That's just a rule that was invented because balls cannot be spotted on coin-op tables.  Also, the IPT has adopted this as an automatic win, which I think is ridiculous.  However, the best way to increase your chances of an 8-ball break on a bar table is as follows:  Place the cue ball close to the side cushion.  Aim for the second ball in the rack.  Put backspin on the cue ball to avoid a scratch in the corner pocket.  If you don't make the 8-ball on the break (which is probably going to be the case) you're going to end up with horrible cue ball position.  Trust me, you don't need to pocket the 8-ball on the break to be a winner.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.