🎱 Break Better, Win More

8-Ball breaking, SPM Billiards, World Championship highlights

Author

Madison Gazda
August 07, 2025

Welcome to another edition of Stroke of Confidence. Whether you’re here for the strategy, mindset, or just love of the game, this newsletter’s built with you in mind.

In pool, the smallest details can make the biggest difference. Nowhere is that more true than the break. It’s often called the most important shot in the game for a reason. Lately, a few readers have been asking for tips to improve their 8-ball break, so that’s where we’re heading today.

Before we jump in, a quick reminder: if you haven’t followed us on Facebook yet, click here and join the crew. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and connect with other players who take their game seriously.

This week’s topics:

  • 8-Ball break tips

  • SPM Billiards Mental Game Issue

  • 2025 World Pool Championships Recap

Let’s dive in:

Break it up!

The break in 8-ball sets the tone for the whole game. It’s your first and often best chance to take control of the table. A strong, smart break can open the rack cleanly, sink a ball or two, and leave the cue ball in position to keep things moving. On the flip side, a sloppy break can hand the table over to your opponent before you even get started.

There’s a lot of strategy involved in the break. This is true especially in 8-ball, where a successful break can mean the difference between running the table or never getting another shot. Fine-tuning your break can add serious consistency and confidence to your game.

Here are some things to keep in mind before you fire into the rack:

  • Cue ball control: Where your cue ball ends up can make or break your run. Keep it from flying into a pocket or drifting into traffic. Aim to leave it near the center of the table to give yourself options.

  • Find your spot: Tweak your break position and take mental notes on how the balls spread. A small shift left or right can make a big difference in how the rack opens.

  • Know the rules: Is it winner breaks? Is making the 8 on the break a win or a re-rack? Know what game you're playing and what rules are in effect, especially in leagues or bar tournaments where house rules can vary.

  • Experiment with your speed: Don’t just crank every break at full power. Try out different speeds to see how the balls respond. Sometimes a medium-speed break can give a better spread and more cue ball control.

  • Mind your tip position: Where you hit the cue ball matters. Slight topspin can help the cue ball stay near the center after it contacts the rack. A touch of draw can bring the cue ball back.

  • Inspect the rack: Take a look at how the balls are racked. Are they tight? Are any gaps obvious? Was it racked with a triangle or a template rack? All these things can change the outcome.

  • Track your results: Keeping tabs on what break styles lead to the best outcomes helps you improve faster. Watch what patterns show up and lean into what works.

The break is one of those things that separates casual players from competitive ones. A little bit of awareness goes a long way. FX Billiards has a great video breaking down the fundamentals of an effective 8-ball break. Check it out below:

The Mental Game with SMP Billiards Media

This week we are changing it up a bit for our Mindset Mastery section. Our friends over at Sneaky Pete Mafia (SPM Billiards Media) recently put together an entire edition of their magazine covering the mental game of pool.

Inside the magazine you’ll find articles on important mental game topics such as:

  • Crucial mental skills of successful athletes (pg. 8)

  • Ways pool players sabotage themselves and how you can combat them (pg. 12)

  • Breathing techniques for before, during, and after your match (pg. 26)

  • How to handle the mental challenges of competition (pg. 34)

  • and lots more great content!

It’s a great resource and we’re sure every player will find something inside that helps take their mental game to the next level. Click the image below to read the issue.

About SPM Billiards Media:

Founded and led by Garret Troop, SPM is dedicated to elevating the billiards community through media coverage, player promotion, and industry exposure. Operating as SPM Magazine, SPM TV, and SPM Media, Garret and his team showcase the game’s depth and diversity from aspiring junior players to seasoned professionals. With a strong focus on the growth and evolution of the sport, SPM highlights major events, conducts in-depth interviews, and reviews innovative products, all with the goal of helping players at every level advance their game.

An event for the ages

We are still buzzing from the 2025 World Pool Championship last month in Jeddah. This wasn’t just another event. With a stacked field of 128 elite players from 40+ countries and a record amount of prize money up for grabs, this year raised the bar for global pool talent and high-stakes drama.

Carlo Biado of the Philippines came out on top, defeating world No. 1 Fedor Gorst in a tight 15–13 final. With this win, Biado became the first Filipino to claim two World Championship titles.

Final standings & prize breakdown:

  • Champion: Carlo Biado (PHI) – $250,000

  • Runner-Up: Fedor Gorst (USA) – $100,000

  • Semi-finalists: Kledio Kaçi (ALB), Bernie Regalario (PHI) – each $50,000

The tournament was a showcase of elite-level play, with pressure-packed moments and standout performances throughout. Relive the best of the best with this highlight video featuring the Top 30 Shots from the 2025 World Pool Championship and follow Allugator on Youtube for more quality pool content.

🟢 2025 Florida Open - IN PROGRESS
Aug 5–10 | All Players | 9-Ball | Watch
Caribe Royale, Orlando FL

🟢 2025 Battle of the Bull
Aug 11–16 | All Players | 9-Ball, One Pocket | Watch
Wolf’s Den Billiards, Roanoke, VA

🟢 2025 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship
Aug 18–23 | All Players | 9-Ball | Watch
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, Atlantic City, NJ

🟢 2025 WPBA Felt Colorado Classic
Aug 21–24 | Women | 9-Ball | Watch
Felt Billiards, Englewood, CO

That’s it for this edition. As always, thanks for spending a few minutes with us. Keep practicing, keep learning, and most of all keep enjoying the game. See you next time.

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