Need a final answer on a break question

[cueball1950]

Since i am new and maybe this has been asked before. So if it has please excuse me for asking again. Several years ago Allen Hopkins showed me a 1 pocket break shot where you kick from the head string to the opposite rail just below the side pocket and stick the cueball in the side of the rack sending atleast 1 ball to the rail making it a legal break. I call it a legal break because in all the rule books i have read have said that since atleast 1 ball hitting a rail constitutes a legal break. Now the problem is the local players here are calling it an illegal break, i think mainly cuz i have become very profecient at breaking this way. So now from all of the "EXPERTS" on here. IS THIS A LEGAL BREAK?...your opinions are greatly appreciated........mike p

[1pRoscoe]

yes, it is a legal break provided at least one ball (either cue or object) hit a rail after contact is made. It's very unethical/risky shot to take, but if you have it down and it works for you, run with it.

I've tried it and I can't do it. I'll stick to the classic break.

[senor]

Several years ago Allen Hopkins showed me a 1 pocket break shot where you kick from the head string to the opposite rail just below the side pocket and stick the cueball in the side of the rack sending atleast 1 ball to the rail making it a legal break. IS THIS A LEGAL BREAK?...your opinions are greatly appreciated........mike p

Hey Mike, that is a legal break, and it can be frustrating to your opponent, but it does not offer the same kind of offensive possibilities as the standard break. There is a reason none of the 'pros' use that break. You cannot pocket a ball on the break, and if you happen to, you have no shot. Everyone always feels the need to improve...if you want to improve, you should abandon that break unless your playing for stakes you consider high, then you have to go with what you know. If your having problems scratching with the normal break or selling out the corner ball, it probably has to do with the position of the cue ball and/or the firmness of your stroke. Even though you don't break the balls hard, you have to follow through, or the cue ball is going to skim off the whole rack instead of the 1st and 2nd balls. If the bottom ball is selling out position the cue ball more inside the table about 6 to 8 inches off the rail. Trust me, when you get the right break down, your game will improve at least a ball in short time.

[senor]

yes, it is a legal break provided at least one ball (either cue or object) hit a rail after contact is made. It's very unethical/risky shot to take, but if you have it down and it works for you, run with it.

I've tried it and I can't do it. I'll stick to the classic break.

Unethical? What is morally wrong about locking your opponent up? Is that not in the spirit of the game?

[1pRoscoe]

Unethical? What is morally wrong about locking your opponent up? Is that not in the spirit of the game?


ugh.... context of the internet sucks.

I say risky, even as you posted in your message, some think it's unethical.

I break the typical way because I spent a ton of time getting this break down to perfection. If I am playing someone that likes to break the way as mentioned above, yeah, it'll probably get under my skin, but I won't bitch about it.

There is nothing morally wrong with locking anyone up. That's what I shoot for every shot.