The break (opening stroke) in 9 ball billiards can be the most important part of this game. With the right technique, you have a good chance of getting in at least one ball before your opponent can play, or hindering your opponent's chances of getting off to a good start. Use these tips to learn the official rules of breaking, practice improving strength and control, and learn and experiment with different types of breaks to improve your game.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Basic Rules of Breaking
Step 1. Determine who breaks first by lagging
Each player places the ball on the table behind the head string, which is the area between the short side of the nearest table (called the head rail) and the diamond or second mark on the long side of the table (the side rail). At the same time, each player hits the ball, with the aim of touching the short side of the farthest table (end rail) and bouncing back as far as possible without touching the head rail or side rail. Whoever the ball is closest to has a chance to hit the break.
- Repeat the lagging process if both players touch the side rail or head rail.
- If you play more than one round, you only need to lagging before the first round. In subsequent rounds, the players take turns taking breaks.
Step 2. Arrange the shelves
Arrange the nine object balls (all balls other than the unnumbered cue balls) into a diamond shape as close as possible. The ball at one end of the diamond is directly above the foot spot mark on the table surface. Ball number 9 is in the center of the diamond, and the other balls are randomly arranged around it.
Step 3. Take a break by hitting the cue ball towards the rack
The player taking the break places the cue ball behind the head string on the side of the table furthest from the diamond-shaped ball rack. (Remember, the head string is located between the second diamond on the left and right of the side rail.) The player then hits the cue ball to the number 1 ball at the nearest end of the diamond formation.
In the official rules, a break must result in one numbered ball entering the pocket, or causing at least four balls to touch the side of the table. If neither of these two conditions occurs, the break is declared a foul, and the other player may place the cue ball anywhere on the table. It's a good idea to play without committing many break fouls if you only play occasionally
Step 4. Decide whether to push out or not
As soon as a player breaks, the same player can announce that he is going to push. If he does say so, he takes an extra shot with the intention of positioning the ball. Unlike normal strokes, this shot does not require any ball to hit the edge of the table or enter the hole. Push out is always optional.
If the player does not say he will push, the stroke is considered a normal stroke and the foul rules apply as usual
Step 5. Start normal game
If the player taking the break enters the ball (not a push out), that player continues to hit until he fails to enter the ball or commits a foul. Otherwise, the player who "does not" break has the first chance to play. However, if the player feels the cue ball is not in an advantageous position, he can skip the turn and allow the player who took the break to make the first stroke.
The player taking the break must strike first if his opponent misses a turn. He can't turn back
Method 2 of 3: Practice Basic Breaking Techniques
Step 1. Open a little space between the cue ball and the edge of the table
If the cue ball is placed too close to the edge of the table, the stick will be held at a steep and odd angle, making it difficult to hit quickly and with control. Place the cue ball at a sufficient distance from the edge of the table so that you can move normally in hitting the stick, then increase the distance of 2.5-5 cm so that the stick position is more flat and firm.
Remember that the cue ball must be placed behind the head string. If the head string is not drawn on the table, find its location by looking at the diamonds or marks on the left and right of the side rail, and count the second diamond from the head rail. This imaginary line between a pair of diamonds is the head string
Step 2. When you're just starting out, place the cue ball parallel to the rack
The more parallel the cue ball is to the rack, the easier it will be to hit. As you get better at breaking, you can try a more difficult break technique as described below. However, if you are a beginner, keep the ball in the middle.
Step 3. Hit the center of the cue ball
For a basic break, aim for the center of the cue ball, not the top or bottom. If the cue ball that you hit is twisting backwards or forwards, watch the tip of the stick as you hit to monitor for any involuntary movements. Practice balanced movements when hitting, keeping your elbows balanced so that the stick doesn't move up or down.
Step 4. Practice your balance and positioning
To hit a really strong break, you need to keep your balance while hitting the cue ball, then follow through by moving forward. Many players stand slightly to the side of the ball to allow the stick to move freely, and bend their knees before hitting for a smooth follow-through.
Step 5. Use excessive follow-through moves
Following through, or continuing to move the stick forward after hitting the ball, is a great way to practice and evaluate your break shots. Plunge the stick until it “pierces” the ball, so you keep moving in one smooth motion instead of stopping or stumbling after the ball has been hit. Keep your eyes down on the stick and watch the cue ball as you follow through. If the stick doesn't move parallel to the cue ball, practice hitting until it's really solid and accurate before you concentrate on strength.
Step 6. Aim for the center of ball number 1
The most common and easiest place to aim is the number 1 ball which is closest in the rack. If the cue ball isn't aligned with the diamond formation, don't let the diamond shape confuse your shot. Just focus on the number 1 ball you are aiming for and try to hit it right in the center of the ball.
Step 7. Put control over power
It's better to hit the cue ball slowly and with good aim, than to hit the break hard and fast but the cue ball moves out of control. If you frequently miss the cue ball or make a foul that results in the cue ball getting into the hole, try hitting it more gently. Practice more powerful power breaks when you are able to hit the center of the ball consistently.
Method 3 of 3: Learning the Advanced Breaking Technique
Step 1. Place the cue ball on one edge of the side rail
Once you're able to hit consistently and firmly from the center of the table, try placing the cue ball near one of the edges of the side rail. Leave about 5-7.5 cm, or whatever distance you need for a comfortable hit. In tournaments, most professional billiards start near this area on the break.
Due to the dominance of this technique, some tournaments require you to start in a certain area closer to the center of the table
Step 2. Practice putting ball number 1 into the side pocket (the hole in the middle of the side rail)
Professional billiards are often able to hit the ball 1 on the break. One way to do this technique is to hit the number 1 ball that is at the nearest end of the rack, and make it bounce off the diamond formation and into the side pocket. Try starting on the left edge of the side rail and aiming to get the number 1 ball into the right side pocket, or vice versa.
Some players do not like this technique, because it can make it difficult to control the number 2 or 3 ball that will be hit next. Think of it as a good exercise to hit the ball while hitting the break, and decide whether to keep it on or not as you get more experienced
Step 3. Practice putting one of the side balls into the corner pocket
Two balls at the left and right ends of the diamond formation, or wing balls, can sometimes be hit into the corner pocket, although don't expect to be able to enter both at once! It takes a lot of practice to be able to do this technique. Start by placing the cue ball near the left edge of the side rail, and aim for the center of the number 1 ball. Watch the wing ball near the left edge of the side rail and see where it rolls. If the ball rolls towards the foot rail, rearrange the rack, and aim slightly to the right. If the wing ball hits the left edge of the side rail, aim to the left next time. Once you find a point where you can consistently get the wing ball close and into the corner pocket, practice the shot over and over until you can do it consistently.
Step 4. Think where the cue ball and number 1 ball will roll
Once you've consistently hit the point you're aiming for, and rarely scratch or foul on breaks, start thinking about positioning the ball after the break. With enough control, and the possibility of adding twist to the cue ball, you can place the cue near the center line of the table, and are more likely to make a good second shot if you hit the ball successfully on the break. If you're not trying to hit ball number 1, keep an eye on where it's rolling because that's the next ball you'll need to hit. Ideally, ball number 1 rolls near the center line of the table, parallel to the cue ball.
Step 5. Find a good point on the new table
Each table has slightly different characteristics from each other. If you move to a new table, you may feel like you're not hitting the break as effectively as you used to. Move the cue ball back and forth until you find the right location for your preferred breaking power and style.
Try to find a worn spot on the table surface, where many billiards have placed the cue ball before. This is not ideal because you may be doing a different style of breaking with the billiards. But there's nothing wrong with trying if you don't have more time to try different positions
Tips
- Stay relaxed while taking a break. Grasping the stick tightly doesn't make the stroke stronger: tense muscles don't move as fast as relaxed muscles.
- If you're having trouble getting the speed and power you want, try using a lighter stick.
