8BALL / Break Better

[@wdiddy1]

Well this is how SVB breaks so it must be the right way to break, just takes a lot of practice to hit consistently on the same spot on the head ball and cueball with power. Not easy as a power shot is harder to hit accurately and that is the reason SVB is considered the best breaker by many.

[@devonshire56]

Agree...100%

[@jakebrake7054]

I’ve typically placed the cue ball on the intersection of the first two diamonds, hitting with an open bridge, and using top spin. This is the “8-ball break,” where the cue comes back into the rack, and pushes the 8-ball into the pocket. You’ve given me a fresh take on what the purpose of breaking is. Thanks!

[@Lefishn]

You don't want to go back into the rack you want Cue ball to actually stop mid table so gives you best chance to have shots.

[@drswanny9000]

@@Lefishnor it gives your opponent the best chance to have shots if you don’t sink any… Karl didn’t sink a one in the four breaks he showed us. Not sure if that is a good thing.

[@Lefishn]

@drswanny9000 you plan to sink balls off the break not miss and give the table up

[@jakebrake7054]

I’ve since found that slightly off center, at the “line,” marking the “kitchen,” with center ball gives me a nice response. At the tables I shoot on, hitting center cue ball, aiming for the center one ball at that slight angle, drops a couple of balls, spreading the rack nicely, and leaving the cue ball somewhat center table.

[@richardclingempeel6111]

Four breaks without pocketing a ball? I'll stick with my side break.

[@quangphan8996]

Some tournaments ban side breaks

[@mitchsmix269]

results oriented thinking. As someone else mentioned this is how SVB breaks even if the short term result wasnt there. Imo side breaks can result in a messier ball layout and more clusters so you can be shooting yourself in the foot even if you do think you pocket more like that

[@clicgear100]

Exactly what I needed to see. I break this way myself and I feel like it’s the right way, which it is. On TV when someone like SVB breaks it is deceiving, because he looks like he it going with way low english. Thanks for explaining that he is coming up on the hit. Great vid. More eight ball videos plz, there isn’t enough.

[@martinolson761]

Thanks Karl! It's like you knew my wife and I were straggling to break last night at home.. I think your tip on turning the body is great, I now know I'm to open and am losing power.

[@Wyrmsfire]

Thanks for the video Karl! This is great information and I'll be sharing it with my team. This is how I break and it works well. I've been breaking a little further out to the side. I'll try to move it in a bit and see how I get on. Thanks again.

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Good luck team enjoy

[@Zigarius1123]

On a 7 footer try 1.5 diamond from the corner pocket and 1.5 diamond up. I prefer a half tip bottom and you aim straight at the head ball. In theory it should bounce back and sit near mid table and you get a potential 8 on break this way too. Edit- I noticed on a 9' table you only go 1 diamond from side but still 1.5 diamond up.

[@nguyenminhtuan8768]

additional comment: through several hours of following this instruction, practicing and breaking in the match, watching SVB break, I have some additional summary on this in order to make it better: 1, Standing closer to the table helps A LOT in driving the power to the cue ball. And as a result, it just pop easier. 2, Choke up the grip: move your hand upwards. For example I would take the BK-Rush with Sport Grip. The holding position should be at the front part of the Wrap, not in the middle or the back. 3, Watch shane break closely and try to mimic the backswing and body-lifting that he has. Shane is undoubtedly one of the best breaker in the world. Great vid Karl. Improved my games a lot

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Thanks for the comment appreciate it

[@BooksNGuns]

Really? I was under the impression that for more power, you need to move your move your hand back. Specifically because of the follow-through. Choking up on the cue gives you less of a follow-through.

[@nguyenminhtuan8768]

@@BooksNGuns choking up the grip helps with the follow through :> but it works for me. It might not work for you, but I think giving it a try isn't that bad

[@joebird2744]

What a great 8 ball break video did everything you explained and it works got amazing results makes a huge difference in my break.

[@procrastinator6902]

Key detail here: To get that "pop" you will need to drop your elbow on the stroke. I had to work on this break quite a bit before realizing how important that was.

[@frankelle23]

Thanks a million Karl. Really needed a video like this to help formulate a plan of action to improve my 8 ball breaking method and increase my chances of making a ball, avoiding the scratches in the side, minimize getting kicked into a pocket and try staying around center table with the cue ball to increase my shot options after the break. Great stuff!!!👍

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Good luck hope it’s working

[@michaele1201]

@Karl Boyes Good info, 1 more important part, where do you focus your eyes? Cueball or headball? thx

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Cueball

[@jamiew1664]

Nice room bro! Got the dartboard with one of those mad lights around it, the golf clubs, the pool table... you got it going on mate!

[@Northern-Man]

Cracking flip-flops, Karl. The true connoisseur's footwear of choice. 😂

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

😂👌🏽

[@valentenicoletti3622]

nice video, perfekt hobby room

[@cz1mmt]

Sorry, bad advice. You want the cue to jump straight back to the middle. You can do so by placing a few small coins along the line. Hit just above center slightly down the cue will pop up and back to middle because it is striking the rack airborn on a hop just before the head ball. You know your doing it right when none of the coins move or rolled over. There is a fairly high percentage eight in the side break but if your opponent is good he will punish you for missing that eight.

[@Happ465]

I just changed my Break Tip to an Acrylic Tip. HUGE difference. Potting a ball or more 90% of the time. I use a little bit of draw to keep the ball center table.

[@coincapton6663]

Thanks for the quick lesson

[@MrDman2341]

Thank u so much I do a loop bridge and my friend insults me for it I'm glad someone else does

[@therelic2007]

"Don't be one of these" was hilarious, I'm sure I know that guy from back in a day.... 🤣😂😅, good vid.

[@suewoo5]

Mans got his toes out. Ok Karl I see you

[@stephenanthoine7100]

Karl nice pool shoes ! 🎱

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Cheers hahaha

[@billangenendt1638]

This helped quite a bit. Made me more aware of the result I was looking for. Would you recommend anything different for breaking on a bar box?

[@brianmurphy4016]

I have spent some time with ball position on a Valley bar box, and have concluded (for me) far better results with the ball placed on the line from the spot, to one diamond out on the head rail. (also, on or near the headstring)

[@budd1814]

Wait! WAIT!!!! let me guess:) Hit them in that there spot with the cue ball that has been hit there with a cue stick. Such a fun game. Thanks for your thoughts and insight about it.

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

No bother bro

[@derekdeese6130]

👀🤡

[@lanternman13]

More of these Captain Morgan break shots please. I like it a lot. 8:20 Okay, this time you forgot to place the foot on the rail after the shot. But nice attempt. It's all a question of practice.

[@ral819]

Karl, I saw a Jayson Shaw interview (after a Cory Deuel match) where he talked about the POP on the break. He talked about hitting down through the cue ball slightly (higher bridge), I believe to get some top spin. Do you focus on the cue ball during the break shot, or , the head ball ???

[@Ken_aka_Ice]

Good video and tips. Are you practicing in flip flops as you prepare to go to the Philippines? 😂

[@iamnobodyspecial2243]

When I read the title I thought to myself... Umm with a cue stick 😂😂😂 much love Karl

[@jeschinstad]

I would also recommend considering a closed bridge on the wall and increasing your bridge length. Longer bridge naturally gives more power.

[@ade1542]

Oh Karl . Mate. I couldn't concentrate after tip 2. Two words innit. Flip. Flops. All that skill, years of experience and legendary status undermined by one life choice ! Still the best though bruthah !

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

🤣🤣 love you hahaha

[@nickrice7535]

Nice Video 👍Do you feel you get a better break, (more action) if you hit between the headband and second row or is it too dangerous to launch the cueball off the table?

[@nickrice7535]

Sorry not headband but head ball

[@BIGDOGE93]

That's a good looking table bro

[@mattgama3251]

Great video Karl. Can you tell what make and model your table is?

[@Chris-mw8dr]

Yeah , I Break off the Rail ( About 1 Ball Off the Rail ) Aiming at Center Low , Then Hitting Center High on the Cue ball , Striking the 1 Ball head On . I use the Pop Squat Break and It Works for Me !! Lol

[@john_vin]

Hi Karl, Carlo Biado also teaches break the same way.Aside from making the cue ball stay in the middle to have equal chances of potting the next ball and avoiding secondary collisions with other balls by jumping, are there any other reason why we wanna be popping it?

[@Depressed_kc]

so it doesn't collide with any of the object balls. Cue ball popping/jumping would avoid any unintended kicks from other balls moving on the table for a second

[@briggs13a]

i break from the rail ,hit the cueball 3/4 high with a downword angle with my weight leaning back a little at impact.make sure the ball bounces forward at impact with head ball in rack.I use a mcdermott gcore 11.75 mm tip cue with 3-4 oz of weight .I dont have to hard because if i do ball will fly off table .try it

[@PersistentWolfBilliards]

Great video Karl, I have been working on the pop break for a while now, snf one of the worst feelings is when the cue ball leaves the table. I have attributed it to not hitting the cue ball correctly and also hitting the head ball less than full. What are your thoughts? Would love to see what you notice from some of my matches using this break.

[@trailerwookie]

Most often it is because you were hitting the cue ball with a little elevation, thereby causing a mini jump shot. This really happens when you hit the head ball less than full.

[@AndyGallagher86]

Hey my man. Lovely video yet again. Really enjoyed this video. Thanks for the tips. You should be charging for this video lol. #MuchLove my man #HeyPoolFans #PoolLife #PoolLifeSundays

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Love you

[@AndyGallagher86]

@@KarlBoyesPoolLife 😘

[@BrianBlack]

Do these tips, as well as the 9 Ball tip video you have work on 7 foot tables?

[@GeorgeMolitor-g5b]

Aim at the 1 ball on rack the right side if you shoot right handed or if you shoot left you can still do it on the left side , just reverse it and do the same . It will take some practice , but its magical when it works , the cue ball would hit the side rail and do a double break , also try to make shots with a flick of your wrist , just a tap with some juice , you never see Efren Reyes shot hard , because he plays lots of juice on his shots and he rarely misses a shot .

[@andrewwalker7439]

I break off the Cush ,cue between index and middle finger,a lot of control and power if power is your preference

[@andy2341]

Thanks for another great video pal

[@Beastt-ix8lg]

those flip flops caught me so off guard when you showed your stance

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Kierron85]

Nice one Karl!

[@josephkane1723]

Great job as always I learned a lot

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Thanks pal

[@GeorgeMolitor-g5b]

I watch your video about breaking , but I'm sorry to say I really didn't like your style of breaking . Take this from a old guy that started playing at the age of 13 years old . Pool was my first love . Playing pool was my whole life , I also made pool tables and cues for a living . I played pool for 45 years and also teach pool players how to improve their game . Here is how I break ok , put the cue ball about 3 inches away from the side rail , but on the cheat line . Since you shot right , stick your right foot in front , when you take aim at the cue ball , aim at the bottom right side , and when you break make sure you follow through with your stroke , you would be amazed how many balls you would sink from the break . With that kind of break I would make 3 or balls every time . When you break the way I do , the cue ball would spin off the 1 ball and hit the side rail and the cue ball would hit the pack of balls again . Its like doing 2 breaks with 1 shot . With a little practice you should be able to do that . Here is another pool tips . My shooting cue has a bit smaller tip , I get better juice on the cue ball from the smaller tip . When I shoot the only movement I have is a flick from my wrist . You must have watch dart players and see accurate they are , they just flick their wrist . Well it works for dart players , so I decide to try and it works great . The less mechanics you use is the better shot you will have . Always have your right foot pointing at the pocket your shooting at . Earl Strickland can never beat me at pool , I think he was rank 3rd best at 9 ball in the world . If you have any questions please ask , I will answer them all . After 45 years of playing pool it was time to stop .

[@mattPR22]

I’m going to try your break style. So hit the cue ball bottom right and aim directly at the 1 ball, assuming the 1 ball is at the point?

[@jmack619]

​@@mattPR22he's not answering

[@rasonline]

Do you strike the first ball in the pack? Dead center or slightly left or right? Last question? Who are you? Must be famous somewhere? Where can I buy one if your cues?

[@psgiles]

If his method drives the cue ball too the rail and then back through, he must be aiming for a direct hit from the side and not the center point of the lead ball - experiment, you’ll see, I’m sure

[@yvans8994]

Great explanation can I get some lessons please?

[@2112kustoms.]

How about those safety sandals! Are they standard 8ball gear?

[@moritzmichaelis6147]

When will you compare the breach to the bk rush and the propel to the air rush?

[@taichan5247]

not anytime soon i think, because he's sponsored by predator

[@JoshJackson-lq7tj]

Yeah it can be hard to hit the white and keep it on the table sometimes, is that because your not hitting the object ball in the centre enough?

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Just about centre or a hair above

[@jackpalmer5067]

Great info thanks

[@joebird2744]

Can you do a video on how to break from the rail that's how i break and I would like to improve on my break

[@MikeBilliardsFun78]

good video like in the movie Stickmen one of the weirdest Pool movie ever made , like the guy say in this one part every game begin with a Break , as far hitting low i starting get hang of it again Fada Vlog did video with Chen Siming . and to help my break level cue in video it don't look level , from the back i can see the level cue .Plus Lil Chris talk about the pop Break .

[@mugb]

Karl living his best life here, making breaking videos in his thong sandals. The Jimmy Buffet of the billiards world.

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Love it 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@giddygiddy85]

He's not wearing a thong, what are you watching 😂

[@Raspy387]

How come in American 8ball you would want to hit just above center and pop the cue ball up But in English blackball rules (IPA) when the break gets discussed they say you always want the cue ball to come straight back up the centre of the table (hit low on the cue ball)

[@Livebroadcast2024-tv]

High: stripe Low: solid

[@bennett2760]

I see the flip flops gave you more power huh

[@sidiscgolf8381]

Hi Karl! I have just recently taken to putting many hours into my break. I am consistently finding myself getting a great pop on the cue ball but coming backwards off center and having just enough forward momentum to go right in the side. Any advice? Is it strictly a matter of not hitting the head ball full?

[@PaulMcNamara-e8q]

The black ball goes on the dot any and make sure all balls are torching

[@DIYChannelSteve]

thank you. and I am one of those from time to time. Keep making your vids mate. Your one of my fav players

[@Mahatma618]

Is that the spot to break from?Hard to judge from practice or from YT since everyone have their personal favourite spot.

[@Fleuruh13]

Hi Karl, a question. I play on a 6ft-table. Do you have some tips for a break on a smaller table? When i break on the 2nd ball, the ball jumps of the table. Gr Tim

[@southerneruk]

What about back screw of the back cushion hitting the pack from the back

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Good luck

[@rackum44]

If you make the eight ball on a break, is that an automatic loss? I can make the eight ball in the side pocket off the break just by putting the cue ball a ball with from the side rail at about where the dot is and hit the second ball that's behind the one ball squarely

[@rulingmute]

Huh? So do you hit the cue ball high or low? Confused since you said you should get height, but then I saw you hitting it low.

[@gabrielmuzolf7063]

You should name the video "How to break dry" :D All the breaks were dry

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Hahaha hahaha hahaha

[@Chris-mw8dr]

Hey Karl Can you do a Video on How to Do the Full table Twisted Bank Shot ??

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Maybe called something else enlighten me hahaha

[@Chris-mw8dr]

Efren's Full Table Reverse Bank Shot ..That's the shot I'm talking about ..Sorry !!! Lol 😂😂

[@Chris-mw8dr]

Efren had a Cross Corner 3 rail Reverse Bank Shot too ...

[@dubbah2605]

Karl what's the name of that old intro song? Pool life it's the only life we know 🎶

[@matthewgilmore5307]

i always thought a good break you drop a ball so you can play on ?

[@jamc666]

Given the gazillion things that happen after the point in time where the white hits the #1, how do you want to 'practice consistency'????? The only two goals are #1 don't scratch and #2 hopefully sink a ball to carry on playing....

[@brooster9707]

I didn't see a single ball get potted on the break. Not much use if you have to step away from the table and leave opponent with an open table.

[@bobbyjojo]

There are many tricks to potting balls on the break that you are not mentioning. I guess we'll just call them trade secrets....lol

[@jonathanliu5047]

I consistently get a pop. Not too high, but It readily bounces into the side after hitting the rack. Any suggestions?

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Try bridge hand a tiny bit further back, and push cue through longer Let me no how’s it goes

[@andrewwalker7439]

If the first ball runs off the spot I just tap it with the white,works

[@richdaigle1031]

How much power are you putting into your ideal break?

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

75%

[@SBRbugol]

I really dont like this break with measuring slighty above centre its hard to find a sweet pot and Im astigmatic so its even harder. When I just loosing the feel of 8ball breaking this way I use more backspin cue ball is going back to the middle of the table, balls drop into the middle I can start running out.

[@smenci]

Is the "must pop" advice specific to 8 ball break or to break in general?

[@taichan5247]

to any break done from the middle of the table 👍

[@DaveJohnson-f7i]

True but only 8. Of them are yours how long have you been playing pool

[@sam8603]

What are your thoughts about bridging on the rail for the break off?

[@Wyrmsfire]

I do this. I place the cue ball just past the first diamond on the long rail. I just don't feel as stable if I'm closer to the head string.

[@ryancollin8090]

first thing that popped in my head was Jeffrey De Luna when you said for god sakes dont be one of these haha

[@unclechopchop41]

Gotta make sure you don’t pop a flip flop too, 😂

[@raulzelaya95]

Preciate it 💯

[@julianliow1212]

is that an air rush shaft?

[@richardclingempeel6111]

Do I need to wear flip flops, or does it work as well with shoes😆

[@Chris-mw8dr]

Our League plays on 7ft. Diamond tables ...

[@kurtisp6901]

the one thing you did not cover is where to aim in the rack, some say 1st row others 2nd and hit it more from the side.

[@micha-42]

In my limited experience, first ball break is more common among good players. The second ball break is useful if, after you inspect the rack, you see that your opponent didn't freeze the first ball to the rest.

[@GeorgeMolitor-g5b]

Sorry , I don't make any cues now . The cues that I made for my self is priceless , I would put in way too many hours to make them perfect . But I will tell you this , when we where kids playing baseball , and when you hit the ball you hear a ting , then you know you hit it good with the bat at its sweet spot , that's sound I want to hear from my cues . Then when you hear that , then you know you hit the cue ball true with a good shot , It takes countless hours of sanding the cue stick shaft . My snooker cues I would sand about 3/4 of the shaft to take some of the bevel out , here is why , If you somebody taking a vedio of you taking a shot and you play it back in slow motion , you will notice your cue stick is off a bit where you wanted to hit the cue ball , because when you stroke your stick would teeter , a teeter shot is a poor shot , I like a true shot without any teetering . I told you about I like to play juice shots when I shot , try to picture this ok . My last object ball was tight on the rail at the far end of the table about 3 inches from the corner pocket , the guy that I was playing against he thought he left me safe , he left the cue ball at behind the cheat line , He walk back laughing and says to his team mates I got him really safe . The cue ball and the object ball was so straight you couldn't draw a line any straighter , so when I look at the shot for a minute I call the corner pocket at my left elbow , he laugh again , that only makes me to try harder , so I put on bottom right siding and took my shot , the cue ball hit 2 rails and ended up behind the 8 ball for a easy pot and my object ball went in the corner pocket that I called . Some players would use dots on top of the rails to figure out where and how to bank a ball, but I never did that ever , what I do is stand back take a look to imaginary lines on the table to see how to make that shot , most of the time it works . 1 time I was playing snooker with a bud , I fluke a red ball into the corner and I was hook solid , my bud laugh at me , so I stood back to take a look at the table to figure what route to take , some times you need a imagination , and all the color balls was on the spots , I had to use the long cue and long rest to make my shot , so I called 5 rails and hit the yellow ball , so I did that , the cue ball had just enough power to roll up behind the yellow ball and hit it , so after my shot I said to bud its your shot asshole and he was hook solid . Its always best to take your time to think about your shot and how to make it work

[@TraianusImperator]

Do i need flipflops for a good break?

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Haha I live in them pal 😎

[@doraemon402]

Karl Balls

[@BIGDOGE93]

9ft table??

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Yes sir

[@EricPetersen2922]

The 5 isn’t orange 😢

[@aunnie99v2]

Please tell me what balls these are, I’m looking to get my own and I can’t find any that look like that for a decent price

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Message me on insta I can get 👌🏽

[@davidchronowski2373]

You need to learn to stay down when your shooting bro. You stand up in your back swing every time you shot. Once you learn that, you're breaks will improve!!

[@furmanlee3976]

Ml 4 is the best

[@lighthousesociety.]

What if I don't wanna break better

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

Your life 👌🏽

[@lighthousesociety.]

@@KarlBoyesPoolLife lol

[@dutchie1010]

great tips here karl..... goddamn those balls are ugly though haha :)

[@frazierg0325]

Philipino flip flops increase your fargo by 100 pts. immediately.

[@KarlBoyesPoolLife]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BakerNo.9]

I couldn’t play in flip flops.

[@jarvsie]

fell asleep after 5 minutes

[@zacharysherry2910]

Wtf lol

[@tastychemicals7830]

Says " Don't aim low on the cue ball when u about to break" .... proceeds to aim low on the cue ball

[@procrastinator6902]

That's a little deceiving bc while you don't want to hit low, you do have to aim low to properly execute this break. Why? Because of 2 important features to this break that Karl didn't mention here. One, is that because many people stand a bit slightly before swinging forwards. Two, (the most important feature) you need your elbow to drop some on this shot. Both of these things cause your tip to raise a bit, so you aim lower than your contact point to compensate for that.

[@lewdavis90]

Yay

[@hellyeah2299]

Do I have to wear those women's shoes to be able to break like you?

[@leodoyle7975]

lol