Break cue tip

[skor]

I was just wondering what is the shape that you guys like and use for the tip on your break cues 8O

[skor]

just wanted to add that this is my 100 post :) :)

[audiopro]

LOL...

I generally hit for center of cue ball, so tip shape on my break cue is of very little concern to me. I normally use a house cue to break with anyway. I bring my own break cue, but just dont care to put it together and have it sitting out waiting to get knocked over, when I can simply use a house cue.

While on the subject, I consider breaking to have very little science. When playing 9 ball I break from center of table right behind the headstring, with a little draw to try and sit the cue back in the center (horiz/vert) of the table. This will hopefully leave me in good shape for a shot on the next ball. In 8 ball, where as long as I sink something I shoot again, the likeliness of being able to pocket something after the break is easier. So I break off center for more power transfer.

[New Kid In The Hall]

What does off center breaking angle versus center table breaking angle have to do with more or less power? I would think it would have to do with which way the balls in the rack tend to go on the hit, not the power?

[audiopro]

If you hit off center, all the power transfered from the cue ball will hit one side of the balls with more energy than the other side?? Doesn't distribute evenly acrross both sides??

I do this for the sole reason that I was told this is a better method for breaking 8-ball by peers.. The physics behind it I have never cared to disect as I do tend to get a better break from the side.. Never really questioned it...

Opening mouth... Stretching... Ouch... Stretch more.. OK! Inserting foot!!

:oops:

[skor]

audiopro,

read my very long post about the break from this link
http://www.seyberts.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1333&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30

and you'll see that a. breaking off center in 9ball is not a good idea and b. there is a lot of science to it.

now about breaking an 8ball rack, that's a different story, it is very much depends on the rules that you play to,
in APA, if you pocket the 8ball on the break, you win and it's o.k to hit the second ball in the rack, so if you'll place the CB near the side rail, let's say the left rail and hit the second ball as full as possible with bottom right hit on the CB, the CB will go to the side rail, top rail and back to the rack and there is a good chance that you'll pocket the 8ball in the right side pocket.
now, some rules, like BCA=WPA, an 8ball on the break is NOT a win, so breaking the way I wrote will be wrong since there is a good chance that, you'll get a ball in but you'll have no leave to keep on playing, so you might just break as you should break a 9ball rack - dead center hit to the center of the first ball, I think it works best one diamond from the rail, also in some rules (8ball), you can't hit the second ball only the fist ball on the apex, so again just like the 9ball break.
to practice this break, you should start from the spot and then move the cue toward the rail untill you'll find the spot that works best for you.

[skor]

one more thing,
why spend money on a break cue, if you're not using it, just make sure to put it somewhere that no one can knock it over.

[audiopro]

Ouch.. It was already hard enough to breath with my foot in my mouth. Now I have to push it in further...

Seriously, I've never put that much thought into the break. No one I play with often, runs off a break anyways, so I guess I somewhat think it is just not as important as maybe I should.

I am learning a lot by participating on this board. The good thing is people challenge each others views and opinions. Something you dont typically get in a pool hall cause everyone is just busy playing.. Not thinking...

I really appreciate the link to the article Skor. It has made me re-evaluate my thought process on not just the break, but other aspects that maybe I have neglected long enough in pool.

[audiopro]

I actually just use an old cue as a break cue... Even still though, where I play on Monday night league, no where is safe for a stick. I got some good advice a long time ago. The safest place for a cue is either in your hand, or in the case. So if I am not actively playing with it, in the case it goes.

[skor]

I played in a tournament a few months ago and place was packed, no room to put the cue as well, I just from someone who was watching my game to hold my BK cue while I was playing and my playing cue when i was breaking :)

[audiopro]

Magnavox...

Smart. Very Smart. 8)

[DZ314]

"a. breaking off center in 9ball is not a good idea"

If that is so, then why do the pros break about 3" from the side rail at the headstring?

About the tip shape, I like mine nickel shaped.

[skor]

the breaking of center does NOT refer here to the position of the cue ball alonf the string but to where you are hitting the 1ball.
you must imagine a line from the center of the CB to the center of the 1ball, hitting the one ball off center will cause the cue ball either to scratch in the side pocket or get knocked off the table or you just won't get a good spread of the rack and most importent you can't control the CB and to keep it in the center of the table

[DZ314]

My bad, I understand what you mean now.

[New Kid In The Hall]

From my own experiences, no matter what ball you are hitting at, head ball or 2nd ball from the side cue ball position in 8-ball, it seems I get the best break results when I hit the target ball as squarely as possible.

[CJK]

For my break cue, I use a nickel radius, as opposed to closer to a dime on my shooting cue. I think the tip lasts longer, and it's a little more forgiving. I play 8 ball almost exclusively, and agree that a second-ball hit with english is the way to go; even when I don't make the 8 on the break (I pull it in around 5-10 percent of the time), I make anywhere from 1 to 6 other balls (average 2-3). Solid hit into the second ball is essential.