How to Make a Good Break in Pool (2024)

FAQs

How to Make a Good Break in Pool? ›

To break the rack effectively, hit the head ball directly on target. You'll also need to apply sufficient force to distribute the balls around the table. However, it is best to relax and focus on a square hit, as opposed to trying to apply excessive force. The main thing is to hit the head ball squarely!

To break the rack effectively, hit the head ball directly on target. You'll also need to apply sufficient force to distribute the balls around the table. However, it is best to relax and focus on a square hit, as opposed to trying to apply excessive force. The main thing is to hit the head ball squarely!

The break consists of hitting the 1-ball, with the attempt to pocket any ball. If the nine-ball is successfully potted, the player automatically wins the rack. This is sometimes known as a golden break .

For 9-Ball, most players break from the side rail, with the cueball about 2 to 3 ball widths from the cushion. They generally try to hit dead square on the 1-ball, from wherever they are coming from.

For a break to be legal, at least four balls must be driven to the rails or a ball must be pocketed. Otherwise, the balls are re-racked and re-broken by the same player. A game not legally broken but resulting in a scratch or foul will be re-racked and broken by the opposite player.

In recent years phenolic tips have become popular on break cues, replacing classic hard leather tips for many players. Phenolic resin tips are good for players who want to add more power to their break because they can transfer the maximum amount of energy from your cue to the cue ball.

Calcium is always present in your pool. Hardness is the measure of how much calcium (or calcium carbonate) is present in your swimming pool water. Excessive calcium in a pool is typically the result of an imbalance in your pool water, and it can result in white, scaly buildup.

Follow the instructions on the package for how much to add, but generally most bags suggest adding 1 lb. of shock per 10,000 gallons of pool water. So a triple shock would be 3 lbs. for every 10,000 gallons.

It can help to have a golden break – the best break: pocket the 9-ball in one shot.

What is a fair break in pool? ›

In these rules, for a fair break the player must pocket a ball or cause at least 2 balls to hit a cushion. Later versions of this rule were amended to state that at least 2 balls must pass the halfway line of the table if a ball is not potted. The breaker must nominate which colour they choose following the break shot.

On each shot the first ball the cue ball contacts must be the lowest-numbered ball on the table, but the balls need not be pocketed in order. If a player pockets any ball on a legal shot, he remains at the table for another shot, and continues until he misses, fouls, or wins the game by pocketing the 9-ball.

Preparing for the Game or Shot

In many versions of the game, pocketing the 8-ball on the break guarantees the breaker an automatic victory. However, if you pocket the 8-ball on the break and scratch the cue ball, you will automatically forfeit the game to your opponent. Decide which player will go first.

As shown below, a good power option for the 8-ball break is to position the CB slightly off center, and hit the lead ball squarely. As with the 10-ball break, the 2nd-row balls tend to head toward the side pockets, and the corner balls can go four rails to the corners.

Make sure the 1-ball is at the apex, the 8-ball is in the middle of the rack, and both a stripe and solid are at the bottom corner, but line up all the other balls in random fashion. If solids and solids are together, or stripes and stripes, that's okay.

Stand behind line of shot to find aiming point. Walk behind cue ball keeping your eye on contact point you want to hit and get ready to shoot. Keep your eyes on the contact point you want to hit all the way as you get down on shot. Once down on shot, you can check check which spot you want to hit the cue ball.