Where do I break a rack of balls to insure I get the best chance to drop the 8-ball without scratching?

Answer 1

Hello , look at my name. They call me eightbraker for a reason. I am not bragging , It's not my nature. I had 22 eightball breaks in one 4 month session of pool league , and in our league that's a win! Before I tell you how I try an 8 ball break I must say that your giving up a fair amount of cueball control and are increasing your odds of scratching , which will cost you the game if you make the 8. First I check the rack to make sure it is as tight as possible. I place the cueball about 2 inches off the rail as close as i legally can to the rack. I stand as close to the table as possible with my feet apart about shoulder width. In a shooting position I aim to hit the second ball back in the rack, trying to hit as much of that ball as i can. Just grazing that second ball is almost a sure scratch in the corner. It is very important to hit that second ball as full as possible. I use low right english , about 5 o'clock on the cue ball. This takes the cueball to the siderail and hopefully back to the center of the table , as long as it doesn't get hit by another ball. As I am stroking I bring myself to a standing position , This allows my upper body strength to get in on the break. I grip the cue very softly, Gripping it to hard takes away all of the mobility and slows down the stroke. If I'm not getting action on the 8 ball from the right side of the table I'll try it from the left side. If it still ain't happening for me I'll try hitting the third ball back in the rack. Some tables are just too slow and it won't happen no matter what you do. Try this and see how it works out for you. Depending on your mechanics it may seem a little akward to you but you can get used to it. Have fun!

Answer 2

We've opened up this can of worms many times before and it doesn't smell any better this time than the other times. I would just like to say that there is a big fundamental difference between breaking a rack of 9 ball or a rack of 8 ball. In 8 ball the object of the game is to make all the balls in your suit , be it stripes or solids , and then make the 8 ball in a designated pocket to win the game. So if you sink the 8 ball on the break you have not done this. How can you call that a win? In the game of 9 ball you shoot the balls in numerical order hitting the lowest ball first.There is no need to designate a pocket for the 9 ball. And according to the rules as long as you make a good hit on the lowest numbered object ball on the table and the nine ball happens to go in on that shot you win the game. On the break shot in a game of nine ball you must hit the one ball first, so if the 9 ball happens to go in on the break shot you have won the game fair and square AND according to the rules , haven't you? I apologize for not answering your question with a straight forward answer but my little explination should tell you how i feel about an 8 ball on the break.

Answer 3

As usual, my buddy eightbraker gives good advice. I don't really have anything to add in terms of technique. I will say that this is definitely something that you should clarify with your opponent before play begins. Under BCA (world standardized) rules for 8-ball, pocketing the 8 on the break is neither a win nor a loss. Either the 8 gets spotted and play continues from where the cue ball lies or the breaker can request a re-rack. The reason for this is because the whole point of 8-ball is to pocket all of the balls in your suit before pocketing the 8-ball. Getting the 8-ball on the break doesn't fulfill this requirement. It defeats the purpose of the game. 8-ball is a "call shot" game, similar to straight pool in certain ways. The purpose of the break in 8-ball is to scatter the balls and hopefully pocket an object ball. The table still remains open after the break, as a "called ball" was not made. Under certain league rules and "house" rules, an 8-ball on the break is considered a win, only because of the inability to spot balls on coin-op tables. Of the three most widely played pool games today (9-ball, 8-ball, and straight pool), 8-ball is actually the oldest. 8-ball took off in popularity along with the increasing number of coin-op tables. It's really the only game that works well on a coin-op table. Happy Shooting. M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 4

The really best way is from the side.....just behind the headstring.....you hit the 2nd ball behind the #1 ball with a little draw to keep from going the the "drink".....it all really comes down to luck....but the odds are better hitting them this way for it will push the 8 ball in the direction of the side pocket.....try it a couple of times and see if it doesn't go in that direction more often then not.....still a lot of luck but really the best when it comes to making the 8 ball move......big thing is that this really makes the rack scatter and more of a chance that you will make one to stay on the table......everyone gave you "rules" but not how to do it.....the odds will improve....hit the #2 ball with some "little" draw and follow thru.....when you break right the cue ball will feel heavier on the hit!!.....good luck!!

Answer 5

It's not like bowling with the certain spot on each side of the headpin to get a strike, it is pure luck. I did it one time and the guy tried to tell me I lost because I sank the eightball, even though it was the break. I think you just have to hit the balls hard
enough to scatter them good and cross your fingers. I think if you got a good tight rack and you hit the front ball dead on the eight ball won't move at all.

Answer 6

I usually like to shoot from the left corner above first table marker about an 2in away from rail (of course, marker behind the headline marker), then line cue to hit into the second ball instead of head ball (Hitting the 2nd ball in is legal to shoot in 8ball)...this way instead of putting a flat impact on the eight when shooting straight on... when you shoot like I suggested the 8-ball will take on a PUSH out of the rack effect that usually goes to most any side or deep corner pocket...takes practice though, I've used in this shot in regional tourneys and pretty much flipped out the opponents on how far that 8-ball travels when its pushed out from the second ball in the rack instead the headball/first ball in front of rack.

Answer 7

line the q ball a little to the right of the center!!!!

Answer 8

at a 45 degree angle from the one

Answer 9

hey cooper hit it in the center like i told ya too put a little backspin on it!!!!~Ligus~

Answer 10

1 o clock.