When you play pool, no matter how good a potter you are, your ability to go further into a tournament or win more league matches will be determined by the break shot.
It is probably the most critical shot in any frame or rack, regardless of whether you play English 8-Ball or 9-Ball.
How can you improve your break?
You can do many things technique-wise to improve the break shot. However, the purpose of this article is more about the equipment.
The choice of cue tip you have on your cue will hugely influence how you break the balls open.
Of course, many of you will play with just one cue, so you will have to choose wisely and maybe even opt for a ‘best of both worlds’ type scenario to improve your break.
How does the tip affect the break?
The break is the one time in every frame or rack where you put more energy into the cue’s tip. You push this energy through the cue to split open a pack of 15 balls.
If you have a soft cue tip on your cue, the tip will absorb a lot of the energy in contact with the cue ball; this is great for control of the white ball but not so great when it comes to raw power.
With a harder tip on your cue, the power is not dissipated on contact and will carry through to split the pack.
The move to dedicated cues and tips has meant that some of the top professionals have been able to break softer and get a much more controlled break but with the same split.
Suitable tips
Talisman Water Buffalo Hard
Made from a specially treated Water Buffalo hide, these layered tips come in a pack of three. They are designed as a playing cue tip, but the hard density tip may be an excellent alternative for those just using one cue.
They hold their shape well if the sides are burnished correctly, and the surface of the tip adheres to chalk very nicely.
Talisman Pro Hard or Extra Hard
Many players swear by these cue tips; the hard or even extra hard types would be an excellent choice for a break or multi-purpose cue.
Elk-Pro Hard
New to the market and again built mainly as a playing cue tip, but it could be employed very well as a break cue tip for English pool where you still want some feel and control.
ELK MASTER PRO POOL SNOOKER CUE TIPS – 10MM HARD
ELK MASTER PRO POOL SNOOKER CUE TIPS – 9MM HARD
Taom Break Cue Tips
They are manufactured from dozens of organic compounds mixed with elastomers, giving the tip immense integrity and stability.