9-Ball
Topic: Soft break at 2007 WPC

It seems like the soft break really works well on the main TV table, despite the tighter pockets and only tapping the first three balls and the back ball.

It's definitely making it easier to run-out because we haven't seen this much B&R before at the World Pool Championships.

My question is: Should they use the three point system like the EuroTour, just to add a little back-and-forth?

yeah i think they should, just 2 easy, the break is hard to master and the way that table is playing it has took all the advantage out of having a good break

Totally agree. Exactly what I said to Shir last night - EuroTour 3 point rule would help for sure or even better the GB9 rule where 2 balls must go past the head string no matter how many balls you pot.

Apart from the fact that it turns the break into a yawn fest, it also enables players to string racks together too easily.

Let's face it, all the players at the WPC are capable of running out matches in a few visits, or less, and it's really great when it's your friend or countryman winning, but do we really want to see a great player not get out of his seat enough to get a real chance?

I've just spent about 4 hours practicing the soft break and i found it very easy to master and even at my standard where b&r is rare i found my chances of a b&r were so much greater.

I think this probably helps level the playing field for a lesser player.

The problem in my opinion is that the soft break can cause a bit of a procession rather than a contest.

The majority of the players in Manila can easily string together 4-5 racks in succession. I think this is why there have been a number of big defeats this year.

Breaking needs to become a spectacle - we all want to see the pack being smashed apart by a big break so breaking needs to be harder.

Perhaps 9-ball on the spot rather than the one or not tapping tables at all.

So sad to see Bustie using a soft break... It's great when he nearly kicks himself in the head on the break.

I think the break plays a significant role in the game.But I feel that we should be allowed to use whichever break that suits us.I heard that table 2 at the WPC is breaking harder than the tv table.They had to break harder on table 2 for balls to drop.

Why is it so easy on those tables?

If i hit the break like that i won't ever make a ball!

Is it because of the faster cloths?

Well club tables are not so generous.Firstly,the cloth in the clubs are old and yes,it slows down and it is harder to sink a ball on the break.Using soft breaks in clubs are not recommended.

A big factor apparently is the tv lights drying and warming up the cloth.

it is nice to see a great big break, but if the soft is working then players are going to use it. as previously said i think its only the TV table that is breaking easily. Although saying that, Martel is hitting them hard on the TV able atm

Immonen and Martel weren't soft breaking...although they were playing on tv table 2; do the 2 tv tables really break that differently?

If any of you are getting really choppy streaming;

Go to this web page: http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=1678&part=sports

With sopcast open but not playing a channel, click on the play link next to sopcast under True visions.

et viola!!

i personally think you should be able to break anyway you want to, you still have to pot the balls on the table after...the euro tour rule is ok but only if the cloths are brand new and fast..i didnt know the GB9 tour will have that rule where you have to have 2 balls pass the headstring no matter how many balls you pot, that is unrealistic IMO on rileys tables unless you make sure every table is re-clothed before every event, and even then using the rubbish Strachan cloth rileys use you would still have trouble..i may seriously re-consider playing on GB9 tour if that is the rule unless we have perfect conditions like eurotour..it wouldn't be fair you hit the pack hard get 2 down one in the side and the wing ball and then the balls get kicked about only one goes past headstring and you lose your turn..that ent right IMO.

Ossie again on dazzlers laptop -

just to clear this one up for you folks.....

The TV Table number 1 is the only table at the venue that breaks this way - thats the truth unfortunately. the 2nd TV table has not allowed the soft break to work anywhere near as consistent which is why you have seen some of those racks being slammed on that table.

If you Saw Dazzler this evening against Stolka you all would have seen him break the complete opposite to his tv table 1 match with Alcano. its just a fact.

Another fact is that the outside tables were breaking the toughest i have ever seen!

Wu came up dry 4 racks running against me! say no more.

people were slapping the 1 ball with power, coming up dry, and still not making 3 balls past the headstring. This was due to a few things, poor racking by (at times) poor officials, also the top tables had to be retapped on day 2 and 3. Some tables on the outside did not appear tapped at all!!!!! jonni Fulcher and a few others will vouch for this as on the opening day we could not see any dimples (sign of being tapped) at all! apart from the tv table which was clear as day??

The players are simply playing to the strengths of each table, adapting as players do to the ever changing conditions of 9 ball tables around the world - so it may be fitting that the world championships has happened this way, he players having to battle against different tables etc..

All the players have the same concern tho, and none of them enjoy breaking soft on the table 1, in fact some said they would refuse to break soft because thats not the way to play the game - however other players have convinced them that they MUST break soft on table 1 if they want to win! - there is simply no choice.

I am sure the WPC officials and Matchroom will look at this again this year and maybe introduce something next year - it has certainly been a massive topic of conversation over here amongst players, fans, commentators and officials alike.

enjoy the quarter finals - COME ON ENGLAND!

Ossie


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Why the the devils playground isn't Blackref over there?!!! Matchroom Sports need to hire him!

On 2007-11-09 23:01 , dazzler Wrote:


good reporting ossi


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Player in the making!!!!!

What about a rule saying all players must break as haed as they can. If they do not its a foul and ball in hand. 9 ball is about power, kick shots, jump shot, banks and massive break. This makes the game exciting and is the reason we all play. Also from the point of view of non pool players watching, it is hardly inspirering watching a game that makes you want to go to sleep. Its just bad for the game on the whole.

sorry as HARD as they can, not head lol.