How to Decide Who Breaks in a Pool Game

Lagging is the most common strategy used to determine who will break. Players or teams shoot the cue across the table and back. Whoever gets it closer to the rail wins the chance to break. It is required in official competitions, although some view it as too formal for a quick game at home or at the bar.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Divide into even teams if you are playing with more than 2 people.

2. Pick 1 member of each team to lag. This team member shoots first in each round of the game.

3. Place the cue ball behind the first head string, the imaginary line across the pool table drawn between the second diamonds on the rails. Many pool tables have a spot marked on the felt where you place the cue ball.

4. Shoot the ball towards the opposite end of the table. The goal is to get the ball down the table and back to the rail, the closer the better. It is allowed to hit the rail closest to you, but not the side rails. It is disqualified if it falls into a pocket or jumps off the table.

5. Mark the first player's spot with chalk and allow the second person to lag. The person who gets the ball closer to the rail gets to break.

Tips & Warnings

• Aim the cue at the center of the cue ball and don't hit it with the same strength as you would during a normal shot. Lagging takes much less force because it is more about estimating distance than getting the cue ball to move other balls around the table.

Who Can Help:

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!