What is the best way to "break" in billiards?

Question

specifically id like to know if i should use a light, medium or heavy stick?

Should i break with the cueball lined up directly or should it be moved to the side? if so how much should it be moved?

and any other good tips about pool in general would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Light or heavy stick is up to you, I recommend which ever you feel you have more control with, if you're looking to purchase a break stick, I'd suggest looking for a jump/break, and will generally break down into 3 pieces, they also tend to be light or very back weighted as you don't want to raise a heavy stick in the air for a jump.  As for the method of breaking, I would recommend that you:

1.  Never break off the rail.  bring the cue ball onto the table enough that you can use a full closed bridge and still strike at the center of the ball.  I will usually put the cue just behind the headstring.

2.  Minimize any english you use, for breaks in games where you want to maximize the spread of the balls.  If you choose to use english at all, don't use a lot, no more than the edge of the cue at center ball.  when you move the stick off center you reduce the amount of energy transfered to the ball.

3.  Use a hard tip, phenolic is best for breaks, break/jump sticks a hard or extra hard leather will do also, don't use the same amount of curvature on the tip of a break stick as you do a regular stick keep the tip a little flatter than normal.  again this is about maximizing the amount of energy transfered.

4.  Always look at the rack, see that it's straight, proper spotting, tight, a loose ball might be a weak spot in a rack or a way to help you pocket something easily.  

5.  for games like straight pool (aka 14.1 continuous) a softer break at one of the corners will minimize the spread of the balls.

Answer 2

My preference is a heavier cue for breaking but it really is a personal preference.  Same as where you place the cue ball...some people put it lined up directly and just behind the head string whereas I prefer it to the left.  You just need to practice to find the best thing for you.  When playing pool just really look at your shot and don't rush it.  I am not saying take 2 or 3 minutes for every shot but just be sure you take a good look at the table before choosing your shot.

Answer 3

1) Use whatever stick weight you prefer. The difference in weights from 17oz to 21 or 22 oz will not make a significant difference. I use a very light stick because I like the feel of it.

2) Use the smoothest stroke that you can get and follow through.  Use practice strokes before striking the cue ball, and make sure you have a comfortable bridge and stance.

3) I prefer to break from the first diamond away from the pocket on the short side and on the head string.

4) Use stun or a slight amount of low when striking the cue ball. The objective is to keep the cue ball in the center of the table in hopes that you have a shot after the break. You don't want to use lots of follow or draw since this will increase your chances of scratching.

Answer 4

Make sure that....

The non-moving hand is flat with the front end of the cue stick. That hand should be about 1 inch away from the frond end of the stick for stabilization...and try to keep it very still.

The moving hand on the cue stick should be well-controlled.

Just angle that cue stick to a ball one behind the first facing ball (or center ball), either to the left or to the right, so that when you break, there will be more spread of the balls after the break.

As for the strike......do several push-ins and pull-backs near the cue ball without hitting it, and then, hold the cue stick about 4 inches away from the cue ball, and finally (like some of the professional billiard players do), commit yourself and do a little back-swing on the cue stick and aim that ball at the stick full-force.

Hope all of this helps.

Answer 5

I prefer a lighter break stick myself. Mine is an 18 ounce Mc Dermott with an unbreakable ferrule and an extra hard tip. There are a lot of players that go really light , 15 , 16 ounces. The idea is that you can generate more stroke speed , power,and control with a lighter stick. All things necessary for a good solid break shot.The same idea as good club head speed in the game of golf.  A good break always starts with a good rack , so feel free to check for a tight rack. I like to place the cue ball as close to the rack as i can without going past the foul line. Basically I try breaking from different spots until I find one that works good for me. One where I can pocket a ball or two and still keep control of the cue ball. The closer you get to the side rail the harder it is to control the cue ball so I try not to get to close.Try to keep your stick as level as possible so your not scooping at the cue ball.  As far as english goes , I use either none or just a slight bit of high english , not more than a half a tip or less. I get better power transfer into the rack that way.Don't try to over power your break stroke. Just keep your cue hand and arm loose and flexible for maximum mobliity. If you stiffen up it will greatly reduce your break speed and power. You also want to aim to hit as much of that head ball as possible. This should help you keep the cueball somewhere near the center of the table giving you a better shot selection after the break. These are just some suggestions for you. Feel free to experiment and have some fun.

Answer 6

most pros are going with a soft break from the corner just behind the line and about 2 inches from rail "  9- ball " so that ,first they can make the one ball in the side pocket or the corner ball in the corner , aim at the bottom of the one ball where ball meets the felt , with 1/2 tip below center. this is a good hard break also, cue ball should end up in center of table for next shot ,this is cue ball control. it does no good to let cue ball fly and have no shot afterwards if you make one . like everything else PRACTICE, PRACTICE,PRACTICE

Answer 7

I like using a 21 ounce stick and I tend to line the cue ball up directly.  Heavy sticks add more power to the ball.  Also, heavy sticks make it so that you don't have to hit it that hard if you want power.  Lining the cue ball up is the safest way to break because it fans the balls out better and there is a less chance you will scratch.

Answer 8

Different people have success with different weight break cues, but the general consensus is that lighter is better. Some of the best break cues on the market are very light, going as low as 16.5oz and averaging around 18oz. The typical professional uses a break cue that is usually one to two ounces lighter than his playing cue.

In my opinion, the distance you move the cue ball away from the center of the table should be dependent mostly on your skill level. The most important part of successful breaking is transferring as much power as possible to the rack while still keeping the cue ball in the center of the table to set up an easier second shot. A player with less ability will have a much easier time keeping the cue ball in the center of the table on a hard hit if they keep the cue ball near the center of the table. Once you can do this from the center of the table, you can start to move the cue ball further towards to sides until you find your "sweet spot" for breaking. Most professionals break from just off the side rail.