Define high break

[bongo]

Well, my opinion is that whatever the points add up to, even if you potted less balls, then that's still your highest break if you beat it. You just got the pots when the balls were valued high.

A highest break is of course, the highest break one has made. There can be tournament match highest break or practice match highest break. Of course, these breaks must be sticking to the rules in what you do!

Then there's the highest breaks in line-up or other practice routines, which is more of a high score. You still pot the balls, but not in match conditions. The table, or pocket size, shouldn't affect what you call your highest break. Though on a professional table, for an amateur to make a high break is very good.

A 'high' break depends on the player, for one player a high break may only be 30 for the standard they're at. For a professional, a high break may be 140+. Generally, I call a high break around the 70 mark.

[noel]

Another kind of "high break", one which means more to me than other kinds, in a competetive circumstance, I call "Over-the-line" break.

The run that wins the race!

Could be a 60 or a 30, doesn't matter... just that it is what it takes at that moment!
Some of my most memorable OTL breaks required one or more reds + colours PLUS running out all the colours in order to win...


=o)

Noel

[LavaChild]

I would consider competition in a league or something a different high break. Competetive highest break or something. Playing friends regardless of how hard i am trying (im obviously trying my hardest or it would not be a high break of course), i would consider it equivalent to practice. You might say line up is a different thign to a real game but sometimes you just smash the balls up on your own and try and pot them all which i always do before i leave personally.

You cannot seriously think that a break in practise is the same as a break in a (friendly) game? If so, I'm sure the next time I visit the snooker hall I can *definitely* get a break of 21 - 3x red, blue, pink and black over each pocket... The difference is in a game your opponent is trying not only to make his break but to stop you making yours.

In practise, if you leave a ball on after you miss then not only is there no opponent to run away with the easy pot but you give yourself a second shot and are certain to pot it... That is something that will never happen in a game.

I personally cannot see the comparison in high break between practise and a friendly game, in my opinion.

[RGCirencester]

can i point out that there are two players in a match? And if in practice you can leave the ball over the pocket and get a highest break that way then its JUST as likely that your opponent will do the same thing in a match!!! In line ups i wouldnt consider it a highest break, simply as before mentioned a goal, or target for next time. But just playing frames vs yourself in practice i do not see a difference to playing your mate, unless you have put all the balls over the pocket on purpose which i would personally never do as thats just foolish. But if it happened in a frame would you deny yourself the highest break? would you say "oh i made a 21 break but it was too easy so i dont count it"???

[LavaChild]

can i point out that there are two players in a match? And if in practice you can leave the ball over the pocket and get a highest break that way then its JUST as likely that your opponent will do the same thing in a match!!! In line ups i wouldnt consider it a highest break, simply as before mentioned a goal, or target for next time. But just playing frames vs yourself in practice i do not see a difference to playing your mate, unless you have put all the balls over the pocket on purpose which i would personally never do as thats just foolish. But if it happened in a frame would you deny yourself the highest break? would you say "oh i made a 21 break but it was too easy so i dont count it"???

Yes.

As you point out a game consist of two people: If you miss in a match then you are "punished" and your opponent benefits. In practise, if you miss you benefit from the ball being left over the pocket. If in a game your opponent leaves a ball over a pocket that is one thing but you leaving a ball on "for yourself" (Even if accidentally) is not the same in my opinion.

Honestly, the way I see it is that in snooker you are only playing against the table/balls. Your opponent is doing the same. The only thing that relates the two players is that the state that one player leaves the table is how the other finds it. Therefore, the fact that the "opening play" is dictated by your opponent means you simply cannot recreate that yourself.

[Asi]

I must disagree with you there Roy!

Potting balls in practice in completely different to potting balls in a match. You only have to look at the amount of players that struggle to bring their practice form to a match to realise that.

A match break is a completely different animal considering the pressure and the "real" spread of the balls.

They are the only breaks that really count as they require that essential mental strength that is integral to snooker.

Couldn't agree more! If my potting in matchs was as it's on solo practice, then i would be 100+ player.

[1lawyer]

Sorry Roy but I think checkside is right too.
Dont think the type of table matters either as long as its full size because I cant play as well on a big pocket table and I much prefer match tables.

[RocketRoy1983]

Guys its quite ok you dont have to agree with me everytime. All your points are correct. I cant perform in a match as I do in practice. However, my only thought on this thread is the following:

If I had never played the game before and I play 1 match and have a break of, say 6. The match finishes with 6 as my HB. I then go and hit the balls about for an hour and in that time I pot a red, black and red. OK ive put the balls around the black spot (again just an example) But ive still physically potted those balls and accumulated 9 points so why shouldnt that count as my HB?

Do you see my point?

[1lawyer]

No because you are not playing anyone but yourself. If Federer hit a tenins ball against himself and won 6 0 6 0 6 0 would he class that as his best ever win?

[RocketRoy1983]

No because you are not playing anyone but yourself. If Federer hit a tenins ball against himself and won 6 0 6 0 6 0 would he class that as his best ever win?

The two sports are not interchangable score wise so it isnt a fair comparison. Your HB is something that we can look back proudly over the course of our lives and say "This is my highest break" so, In my opinion, and only mine, whether it is against yourself or an opponent as long as you pot the balls in a way that doesnt go against the rules of the game that is what counts.

[RGCirencester]

This is what i was saying roy, as long as in your practice you haevnt purposely put the balls in an easy place why is that not a ligitamte break? It proves you have the skill to make that size break.

[1lawyer]

It takes two to tango.

[RocketRoy1983]

It takes two to tango.

Indeed RGC. If you had a break of 147 in practice but in a match only 16 1lawyer im sure youd brag of 147 as your HB

[1lawyer]

My mate had a 147 in practice on the line up but counts his high break as being 102.

I have had a 138 but my high break is 117 so no I dont agree but good point.

[RocketRoy1983]

We disagree on this but what does everyone else think on this one?