Break Cue Weight Demystified 

Thanks. This the best explanation of breaking I have ever been given. I will try to put what you explained to see if I can break better.

This is the best video I’ve seen on this subject. I’ve been playing for more than 35 years and have, over the years, experimented with different weights to see what felt best to me. I currently use a 17oz break cue that came with a 4oz extension giving me the option of a 21oz break cue. I imagine adding 4oz to the very back of the cue changes the dynamic of the cue beyond just the added weight. I’ve tried it in both configuration and 17oz is a better fit for me. I appreciate you going beyond what I normally hear… “lighter is better PERIOD” or “heavier is better PERIOD. I’ll be sharing this video with my local pool groups Facebook page.

ok you have given me a little homework to do for when i get ready to have my cue set built, thank you. I think the weight of the playing cue is another great topic because i hear a lot about what weight is the best to use.

Thank you for the information.

Great video I've been having discussions with other pool players past several months about the topic of breaking and weight and also tip types. Your example of the brick and feather is a pretty good one I always tell people if you have two sticks the same length but one's double the diameter which one can you swing faster. I found I have a friend that breaks around 26 to 28 but can't really get a good spread whereas I break between 13 and 1/2 to 15 miles an hour and I get a really consistently good break. If I'm getting a good break at that speed and controlling the cue ball. I'm using a BK Rush jump brake cue and I have fallen in love with it! I will say though if someone buys a Viking Valhalla just regular old nothing special for like 150 bucks and slaps a white diamond tip on it you can get almost the same power just a fun fact we're talking $175 versus 850$. Thanks for the video as always!

Great points, info, and facts! Do appreciate the sharing of knowledge; promotion of the sport/game. : ) I love it!!! Be Safe

Good video and yes controversial and it’s custom to what individuals can handle with accuracy. 35 years ago I had Huebler make me a custom 18 oz break cue & then I quit completion 30 years ago and completely left the scene to then start playing again 8 months ago and found out all the changes in cues and tips gloves etc. I added .5 making it 18.5 and I’m completely satisfied with my breaking power & accuracy and have a La Pro tip in it which I like, trust and can control. I was a good jumper back then too and now don’t jump much I kick or swerve/curve at balls if needed. I’m not at all even tempted to buy a new graphite break cue or phenolic tip or heavier break cue. I’m gonna down load that preditor break speed app just to see what my speed is but again I don’t really care because I’m completely happy with my breaking results. Cheers.

Force (f) equals Mass(m) times Acceleration (a), f=ma. With limited in ability to accelerate the cue, a heavier cue would be the better choice. If you are capable of high acceleration, then a lighter cue would be the better choice. For example, at 30, I used a 15 oz. cue for breaking; at 85, I use a 23 oz. cue.

Hmmm. Thanks for the app. I just went out and tried it. My break cue is a Predator BK shaft from about 2000 or so I think on a Predator Sneaky Pete butt (1998). I also added a six inch extension in the middle. I tried with the six inches, no extension, and then a two inch extension. The cue was definitely lighter with no extension, but the highest speed was with the two inch extension. I suspect that’s because I’m 6’3” tall and the 90 degree point with no extension is with my last finger wrapped around the rubber bumper. I got almost 15 mph with the 6” extension, 16+ mph with no extension, and almost 18 mph with the two inch extension with just a few breaks each. I can see I’m going to have to spend more time with the app and breaking in my practice sessions. Thank you for more drills - lol. It’s 10:30 PM here in the PH and raining hard (my pool room is outside under a large covered patio) so I had to cut the data collection session short for now. Love your channel - it’s been chock full of good information. Again, thank you very much.

Thanks for the video, Chris. Good tips and explanations. I took some weight out of my break cue 25 oz to 21 oz. I have been hitting my breaks good. I am leaving my cue ball into the center of the table. I never heard of a twitch muscle. Good to know.

Nice audio quality!!!

Great content as always! I fight the timing of my break, and other shots sometimes. My grip hand tends to be a little forward at contact which causes the tip of the cue to drop at contact. To combat this I shorten my bridge a little. This could be a good topic for timing, if you haven’t already covered it. Pendulum too far forward equals tip contacting lower than expected and too far back equals tip contacting higher than expected.

Extra points: tips make a big difference. Technique is probably the biggest difference. Small athletic women have learned to break really good. Big athletic men that don't know how to play good can't break well. Then the different games need different break techniques and speeds.

I break well with 19-20 oz cues. My personal breaker is 20oz. Lighter or heavier I lose speed.

I had a 18.75 and got told I broke really good. 25 was too back heavy so the tip liked to rise so I didn’t like it. Waiting on my 21 oz try. Broke the leather tip on it. Waiting for it to come back. But it was decent

What an awesome channel for information. I am 53 years old and have played pool most of my life. I have always struggled with my break. I have owned so many break cues, I can't even count them. From 14oz to 24 oz and everything in between. I am 5'4". How does heighth effect breaking power. I have seen even the shortest pros spread the balls effortlessly. Thank you.

Just thanks....I have an omd and ugly 17oz cue and buy a verry nice 3 piece cue..beutifull but I cant break as I do with my old one ..a d now understad why the new one is 20.5 oz..thanks 😁

35 years ago the break was all about speed. These days players are often purposely hitting at less than their top speeds. They do this to make sure that accuracy hasn't suffered, and that the racked balls behave as expected. Like when they're doing a cut break to put the one in the side. Speed is great on a break, but accuracy is better, and proper speed with proper accuracy is the best.

Best answer i got

I have a 25 ounce break cue. I have downloaded the Predator break cue speed app this week. I was hitting my break at 8,9,10 mph. I changed my bridge to be on the rail. Then I tried snapping my wrist. The highest I got up to was 14 mph. The last day I was at 8 mph. Maybe I need to practice more? What do you think Chris?

Do I need to use turn signals when using right or left English?

i must also say you don't have to smash the rack to get a good break. its like shooting a gun, its all shot placement

i play with a 21.5 and break with an 18. it works for me

So i found the discussion on timing very interesting. I agree that the nomenclature 'timing' is impresice and leads to a lot of confusion. I prefer to think of stroke mechanics in terms of speed and acceleration which works well with your lecture tonight. But. The break technique seems to be so much different than the textbook shooting mechanic. This might be an extreme example, but think of SVB. His brake technique. He's choked up very high on the q. He actually rises up in his stroke but as he hits the ball everything is wrong with it. But he has one of the best breaks in the game. I get what you were saying and for other players the example might fit really well like Cory Dual with his very controlled and structured break. There are a lot of things going on there and well, I think the timing explanation works for a classic pool. Stroke mechanic doesn't always translate well to breaking

Just checked, the app is $4.99, not free.

Accuracy over power....

I play and break whit 27 oz cue.

Can we see you break on video to see how you do it?

went from a 18oz. cue and tried up to a 24oz cue and found that the 24oz. cue sent the cue about a 1 mph faster then the light cue? surprise, surprise on me.