The simple answer: it depends on which set of rules you are following.

The result depends upon the agreed tournament rules whether you’re playing against a singular opponent in a professional environment or in a pool hall.īut what happens if an 8 ball is pocketed during a break? But there are varying rules surrounding this action. It may be down to the randomized chaos of the move or may be carried out intentionally using a combination of skill, knowledge, and a whole load of luck. Also, because the 2nd-ball break is hit from the side rail (where the cue will be a little more elevated or non-level) and since the CB hits the 2nd ball at a slight angle, not as much CB speed can be used as with a lead-ball break otherwise, the CB will hop and can bounce off the table (which is a foul).įor more information, see “ VEEB – Part VIII: The Break” (BD, June, 2016).Īn alternative break, useful when the balls are not racking tightly, is a power break from the side, where the main goal is to attempt to pocket the head ball in the opposite side pocket.Pocketing an 8 ball on a break is a difficult thing to accomplish, but it isn’t impossible! Another disadvantage with a 2nd-ball break is that not as much CB speed can be used since the hit cannot be as square as with a lead-ball break therefore, less energy will be transferred from the CB to the racked balls. This can also be an advantage if you don’t pocket a ball on a break (which tends to happen more with a poor rack or break), making it more difficult for your opponent to run out. One disadvantage with a 2nd-ball break is sometimes the balls tend to cluster on the breaking side of the table (especially on a “bar box” where balls are more likely to cluster anyway with the small size of the table). This gives the best chance to not scratch, to break out any balls remaining in the rack area, and to get a shot after the break (usually on the bottom half of the table). If you hit the ball fairly squarely, you can use stun (no to or bottom spin), with no sidespin, to send the CB straight across the table back into the rack area.

Whether you use a touch of backspin or sidespin depends on how square you hit the 2nd ball. Top 100 Pool Maxims, Sayings, and Quotes.Top 100 Tips, Tricks, Secrets, and Gems.

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