Top 5 Stratospheric Pool Breaks

As in tennis, the break is one of the key moments of any billiard game, especially in Pool. Although it’s a shot in which also luck influences, first-class players know how to control it by always following the same routine. In this week's article we are highlighting five stunning Pool breaks white for the control of the white ball and the ability of the player to enter the ball.

1- Ko Pin Yi

The break that the Taiwanese Ko Pin Yi has in ball 10 is simply amazing. Look at the video below (1.05 min) the time he spends to aim perfectly in the center of ball 1, the jump of the white ball and how it is decelerated to drop dead again between the break zone and center of the table.

2- Shane Van Boening

If it’s impressing seeing a break by the American Shane Van Boening in real time, imagine seeing it in slow motion. Look at the following video in every detail that can be seen from his break shot thanks to the slow motion. Maybe he does not have a control of white as perfect as Ko but it is also very effective. What impresses me most in his break is experiencing progressive tilt on his body just before shooting. In fact, when the cue hits in white, Shane is practically standing.

3. Mike Dechaine

Mike Dechaine is certainly one of the professionals of Pool with a stratospheric break. Only a few players would beat him when throwing up the white as high as possible after hitting the first ball, as it can be seen in some YouTube videos. But beyond making joke when not competing, you know how to control very well the first shot in competition. Power, speed and good movement in his arms (forward) are the keys to its successful shot that he explains in the video below.

4. Francisco Bustamante

Filipino Francisco "Django" Bustamante also has a prodigious break. It’s surprising seeing that at the time of shooting he rises almost as much as Van Boening and raises his right foot quite much. As is the custom of many Filipino players, in the break, Bustamante takes the handle very gently and takes advantage of the swing to transmit force to the white.

5. Roberto Gómez

As in 9 Ball it is almost a norm to break from the corner (left or right) in 10-Ball it’is rare break from one side. Who does dare to do it is the Filipino Roberto Gomez. Look at this video that collects several of his breaks and see how he tilts the cue before shooting (more than Van Boening) and the power that gives to the white. Nothing has to do the loose breaks he made to Niels Feijen in the World Pool Championship 2007.

Do not forget to write in the comments what your favorite break is and if you know other styles of breaks.