A reader writes to ask about breaking the balls on a smaller sized table:
"Matt, I can't get the same scatter on an eight foot pool table as I can on the larger nine foot. For some reason, the balls stay packed together on the smaller table... any break tips for me?"
An interesting question indeed. It seems counterintuitive that the balls would not fly more or at least the same distance across the smaller table.
One possibility is that there is less room to take a full, flowing break stroke on the smaller table. I really let my cue stick out when I have room on the big table, letting the cue tip fly almost to touch the head ball, as shown in this break shot photographic essay.
Another less obvious solution concerns the balls themselves, which can vary by weight or even composition between tables. See "regulation" pool tables for more.
Another possibility is that the balls have less room to leave for other spots on the smaller table, although this reader says they were not dispersing to begin with, in an edited portion of his note. Perhaps the foot spot has a very bad dimple on it or perhaps the cloth and condition on the smaller table are exceptionally slow.
Regardless, I'd urge anyone not able to scatter the balls widely on either size of table to consider my break tips and break advice in the following articles:
8 Ball Breaks - How To Break In 8 Ball - Pool & Billiards Strategy When discussing the best 8 ball breaks, including how to break in the 8 ball with this all-important stroke, it becomes necessary both to emphasize basic ...
Using Pool Cues - Weighty Words On Using Pool Cues To Break
Pocket Billiards - Snap The Break - Pool Breaks With Power Learning to crush a pool break in billiards is simple when you learn how. Here are super tips on breaking with style.
Pool Break - Fly Me To The Moon Pool Break This clever tip will enhance your pool break. Believe it! Break it until you make it!
Break Shot Tips - Pool & Billiards - Ten Top Tips For Your Pool ... Drum roll, please! The top ten tips on breaking in pool and billiards--for when you want an open break to scatter the balls to the winds.
The Power Break in 9-Ball Crushing a 9-ball rack like the pros is easy when you know how--and here it is outlined for you in stop action photos
Position Break Shot Tips - Pool & Billiards - Ten Top Tips For ... Fetch a crooked cue stick to break with and learn by feel the motion the pro uses when their cue widely bends and flexes on the stroke.
