Part One of the break shot covers all the aspects of the break shot mechanics. I like how you pointed out an important actuallity of the cloth friction affecting the cue-ball spin prior to contact with the rack. Generally, most of the other aspects you covered are in direct relation to the condition of the table and it’s surface cloth, which are of significant importance, not only for the break shot, but also for the following shots. I can’t wait to review Part Two!

I would like to open a discussion regarding the pitch of the table during play. I feel that the pitch if the playing surface has a similar, if not equal, effect on all shots during a game. The cue-ball movement during the break shot, because of the power used, is generally not affected by the pitch of the table, however, the resulting “opposite” reaction to the racked balls and the subsequent follow-up shots are. Let me know what you think.

I have invented a new level for the Table Mechanics to use in leu of the “Machinist’s” and ” Carpenter’s” levels that are in current use today. The importance of the Gravity Level is, in my opinion, long overdue for an industry that relies heavily on the accuracy of leveling a plane surface, such as a billiard table. The omni-directional Gravity Level indicates the levelness of the plane as a whole surface with a single measurement, rather than a single direction of the plane, as do the other conventional uni-directional levels that require repeated measurements.

Let me know what you think, and I assure you, I am not trying to “sell” my product, rather I would like to discuss with you the physics involved during a simple, yet extremely complicated game of billiards. My main focus is always the education and training of the industry personnel, and I feel you may be a resource for training and education. Training and education that should start with the accredation of the Table Machanic and follow through to the player in order to better understand the forces that affect each shot, which you point out in Part One of the Break Shot.

Send me an e-mail at wihatleback [at] gmail [dot] com with your thoughts, I’d like to hear from you.

Craig A. Hatlrback