How often to pros make a ball on a break, how often do they win when breaking, and how often do they break and run?
Below are concise summaries of break statistics percentages from recent major pro tournaments from data posted by user “AtLarge” on AZB. To see the source data and much more information for an event, click on the tournament name in the tables below. The stats are separated by discipline:
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9-ball:
| tournament | year | conditions (see below) | made ball on break (w/o foul) | breaker won game | break and run |
| Super Billiards Expo Pro Players Championship | 2026 | 9/4.25?/TE/B/9/X/N | 79% | 64% | 21% |
| European Open | 2026 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 74% | 59% | 26% |
| Premier League Pool | 2026 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 78% | 59% | 26% |
| Derby City Classic | 2026 | 9/4.5/TE/B/9/X/N | 60% | 50% | 25% |
| Turning Stone Classic | 2026 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/3 | 67% | 55% | 21% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2025 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 77% | 54% | 21% |
| International Open | 2025 | 9/4.25?/TE/R/9/X/N | 84% | 62% | 31% |
| Reyes Cup | 2025 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 74% | 48% | 17% |
| China Open | 2025 | 9/4/TE/R/9/A/3 | 73% | 52% | 23% |
| US Open | 2025 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 80% | 62% | 30% |
| Florida Open | 2025 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 87% | 67% | 32% |
| World Pool Championship | 2025 | 9/4?/TE/R/9/X/F | 75% | 58% | 24% |
| UK Open | 2025 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 74% | 58% | 26% |
| Scottish Open | 2025 | 9/4.25/TE/R/9/X/F | 88% | 58% | 31% |
| Super Billiards Expo Pro Players Championship | 2025 | 9/4.5/TE/B/9/X/N | 73% | 52% | 23% |
| Premier League Pool | 2025 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/N | 82% | 57% | 26% |
| European Open | 2025 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 76% | 59% | 23% |
| Derby City Classic | 2025 | 9/4.5/TE/B/9/X/N | 66% | 55% | 27% |
| Turning Stone Classic | 2025 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 59% | 55% | 18% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2024 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 87% | 61% | 25% |
| International Open | 2024 | 9/4.25/TE/R/9/X/N | 67% | 58% | 26% |
| Reyes Cup | 2024 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 80% | 61% | 28% |
| Hanoi Open | 2024 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 73% | 65% | 29% |
| Turning Stone Classic | 2024 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 64% | 51% | 15% |
| US Open | 2024 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 69% | 47% | 24% |
| European Open | 2024 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 69% | 51% | 16% |
| World Pool Championship | 2024 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 70% | 56% | 19% |
| UK Open | 2024 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 71% | 58% | 19% |
| Scottish Open | 2024 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 78% | 62% | 30% |
| World Pool Masters | 2024 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 82% | 64% | 32% |
| Premier League Pool | 2024 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/N | 81% | 66% | 32% |
| Derby City Classic | 2024 | 9/4.25/TE/B/9/X/N | 58% | 56% | 25% |
| Turning Stone Classic | 2024 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 65% | 62% | 23% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2023 | 9/4/TR/R/9/X/N | 69% | 51% | 27% |
| International Open | 2023 | 9/4.25/TE/R/9/X/F | 74% | 63% | 36% |
| Hanoi Open | 2023 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 75% | 60% | 27% |
| US Open | 2023 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 73% | 54% | 21% |
| Turning Stone Classic | 2023 | 9/4.25/TR/O/1/X/N | 66% | 55% | 23% |
| European Open | 2023 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 70% | 56% | 24% |
| World Cup of Pool | 2023 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 79% | 58% | 26% |
| Spanish Open | 2023 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 78% | 59% | 23% |
| UK Open | 2023 | 9/4/TE/R/9/X/F | 74% | 60% | 32% |
| Scottish Open | 2023 | 9/4.25/TE/R/9/X/F | 75% | 60% | 27% |
| World Pool Masters | 2023 | 9/4/TR/R/9/X/F | 71% | 62% | 31% |
| World Pool Championship | 2023 | 9/4.25/TE/R/9/X/F | 78% | 60% | 32% |
| Derby City Classic | 2023 | 9/4.25/TE/R/9/A/N | 68% | 59% | 26% |
| Turning Stone Classic – January | 2023 | 9/4.25/TR/O/1/X/N | 62% | 59% | 22% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2022 | 9/4/TR/R/9/X/N | 60% | 60% | 23% |
| International Open | 2022 | 9/4.25/TE/R/9/X/F | 79% | 56% | 29% |
| US Open | 2022 | 9/4.25/TE/R/9/X/F | 79% | 58% | 32% |
| Sandcastle 9-Ball Open | 2022 | 9/4.5/TE/R/9/X/N | 75% | 53% | 34% |
| Turning Stone Classic – September | 2022 | 9/4.5,4.25/TR/O/1/X/N | 58% | 55% | 16% |
| European Open | 2022 | 9/4.25/TR/R/9/X/F | 61% | 50% | 27% |
| World Cup of Pool | 2022 | 9/unk/TR/R/1/A/F | 85% | 61% | 26% |
| UK Open | 2022 | 9/4.25/TR/R/1/A/N | 93% | 66% | 40% |
| World Pool Masters | 2022 | 9/4/TR/R/1/A/N | 91% | 62% | 36% |
| World Pool Championship | 2022 | 9/4.25/TE,TR/R/1/A/N | 92% | 68% | 43% |
| Premier League Pool | 2022 | 9/4/TR/R/1/A/N | 84% | 61% | 34% |
| Derby City Classic | 2022 | 9/unk/TE/B/9/A/3 | 73% | 56% | 30% |
| Turning Stone Classic – January | 2022 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 71% | 63% | 30% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2021 | 9/4/TR/R/1/A/N | 86% | 61% | 30% |
| International Open | 2021 | 9/4.25/TE/R/9/X/3 | 65% | 51% | 27% |
| US Open | 2021 | 9/4.25/TR/R/1/A/F | 87% | 63% | 39% |
| World Pool Championship | 2021 | 9/4.25/TE,TR/R/1/A/F | 85% | 65% | 32% |
| World Pool Masters | 2021 | 9/4/TR/R/1/A/N | 93% | 63% | 30% |
| World Cup of Pool | 2021 | 9/unk/TR/R/1/A/N | 78% | 60% | 25% |
| Championship League Pool | 2021 | 9/unk/TR/R/1/A/N | 88% | 59% | 35% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2020 | 9/4.25/TR/R/1/A/N | 75% | 55% | 27% |
| Derby City Classic | 2020 | 9/unk/TE/B/9/X/3 | 69% | 56% | 29% |
| Turning Stone Classic – January | 2020 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 68% | 59% | 23% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2019 | 9/4.25/TR/R/1/A/N | 76% | 55% | 24% |
| International Open | 2019 | 9/4.5/TE/R/9/X/3 | 65% | 53% | 26% |
| Turning Stone Classic – August | 2019 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 61% | 61% | 22% |
| Diamond Las Vegas Open | 2019 | 9/unk/TR/B/1/A/3 | 71% | 63% | 36% |
| World Cup of Pool | 2019 | 9/unk/TR/R/9/A/N | 68% | 67% | 20% |
| US Open | 2019 | 9/4.5/TE/R/9/A/N | 78% | 65% | 34% |
| World Pool Masters | 2019 | 9/unk/TR/R/1/A/N | 79% | 62% | 30% |
| Derby City Classic | 2019 | 9/unk/TE/B/9/X/3 | 69% | 56% | 27% |
| Turning Stone Classic – January | 2019 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 60% | 55% | 24% |
| WPA World 9-Ball Championship | 2018 | 9/unk/TE/B,R/1/A/3 | 84% | 64% | 49% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2018 | 9/4.5/TR/R/1/A/N | 85% | 67% | 38% |
| International Open | 2018 | 9/4.5/TE/R/9/X/3 | 62% | 52% | 22% |
| Turning Stone Classic – August | 2018 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 60% | 56% | 16% |
| World Cup of Pool | 2018 | 9/unk/TR/R/1/A/N | 77% | 59% | 27% |
| World Pool Masters | 2018 | 9/unk/TR/R/1/A/N | 60% | 56% | 24% |
| Derby City Classic | 2018 | 9/unk/TR/B/1/A/N | 73% | 62% | 37% |
| Turning Stone Classic – January | 2018 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 66% | 61% | 22% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2017 | 9/4.25/TR/R/1/A/N | 81% | 58% | 23% |
| US Open | 2017 | 9/4.5/TE/R/9/X/3 | 62% | 57% | 26% |
| Turning Stone Classic – September | 2017 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 59% | 53% | 17% |
| Derby City Classic | 2017 | 9/unk/TR/B/1/A/N | 62% | 55% | 21% |
| Turning Stone Classic – January | 2017 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 58% | 53% | 20% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2016 | 9/4.25/TR/R/9/A/N | 76% | 62% | 25% |
| US Open | 2016 | 9/4.5/TE/B/9/X/3 | 57% | 54% | 23% |
| Turning Stone Classic – August | 2016 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 54% | 55% | 18% |
| WPA World 9-Ball Championship | 2016 | 9/unk/TE/B,R/9/A/3 | 71% | 56% | 28% |
| Derby City Classic | 2016 | 9/unk/TR/B/1/A/N | 68% | 62% | 33% |
| Turning Stone Classic – January | 2016 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 56% | 52% | 19% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2015 | 9/4.25/TR/R/9/A/N | 70% | 56% | 26% |
| US Open | 2015 | 9/4.5/TE/B/9/X/3 | 62% | 53% | 23% |
| World Cup of Pool | 2015 | 9/unk/TR/R/9/A/N | 66% | 52% | 16% |
| WPA World 9-Ball Championship | 2015 | 9/unk/TE/B/1/A/3 | 88% | 62% | 37% |
| Turning Stone Classic – August | 2015 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 59% | 57% | 23% |
| Derby City Classic | 2015 | 9/4.5/TR/B/1/A/N | 65% | 57% | 29% |
| Turning Stone Classic – January | 2015 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 61% | 52% | 21% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2014 | 9/unk/TR/R/9/A/N | 76% | 61% | 34% |
| US Open | 2014 | 9/4.5/TR/B/9/X/3 | 53% | 50% | 20% |
| Turning Stone Classic – September | 2014 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 64% | 60% | 19% |
| WPA World 9-Ball Championship | 2014 | 9/unk/TE/R/1/A/3 | 89% | 61% | 35% |
| Derby City Classic | 2014 | 9/4.5/TR/B/1/A/N | 75% | 58% | 34% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2013 | 9/unk/TR/R/9/X/N | 34% | 43% | 9% |
| US Open | 2013 | 9/4.5/TR/B/1/X/3 | 63% | 56% | 21% |
| Turning Stone Classic – September | 2013 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 56% | 56% | 19% |
| Southern Classic | 2013 | 9/4.5/TR/B/1/A/N | 76% | 58% | 35% |
| Derby City Classic | 2013 | 9/4.5/TR/B/1/A/N | 69% | 57% | 28% |
| Turning Stone Classic – January | 2013 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 58% | 51% | 19% |
| Mosconi Cup | 2012 | 9/unk/TR/R/9/A/3 | 74% | 51% | 24% |
| US Open | 2012 | 9/4.5/TR/B/1/X/3 | 62% | 55% | 23% |
| Turning Stone Classic – August | 2012 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 68% | 53% | 21% |
| Southern Classic | 2012 | 9/4.5/TR/B/1/A/N | 82% | 56% | 29% |
| Derby City Classic | 2012 | 9/4.5/TR/B/1/A/N | 56% | 55% | 19% |
| Turning Stone Classic – December | 2011 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 65% | 53% | 23% |
| US Open | 2011 | 9/unk/TR/B/1/X/3 | 62% | 58% | 21% |
| Turning Stone Classic – September | 2011 | 9/4.5/TR/O/1/X/N | 60% | 48% | 22% |
Conditions: Table – 10′ (10), 9′ (9), 7′ (7) / Corner Pocket Mouth Size – in inches or unknown (unk) / Rack – template (TE), triangle (TR) / Who Racks – breaker (B), opponent (O), ref (R) / Rack Position – 1 on spot (1), 9 on spot (9) / CB Location – anywhere (A), inside box (X) / Break Rule – 3-point rule (3), “forceful” break required (F), none (N)
10-ball:
Conditions: Table – 10′ (10), 9′ (9), 7′ (7) / Corner Pocket Mouth Size – in inches or unknown (unk) / Rack – template (TE), triangle (TR) / Who Racks – breaker (B), opponent (O), ref (R)
from Mike Hu (via 9/14/2015 e-mail):
I’ve been tracking the stats compiled by AtLarge for some time now. Here is the data I have from his AZB posts regarding the 9-ball and 10-ball break. I basically wanted to answer the question: how big of an advantage is the break in these 2 rotation games?
9-ball: 3083/5521 (55.8% win-rate of breaker, 11.6% edge)
10-ball: 1139/2139 (53.2% win-rate of breaker, 6.4% edge)The data includes his posts from his very first breaking stats post, up to and including his last such post made on 8/25/15. My data for him is only for games played on a 9-foot table (7-ft and 10-ft table stats weren’t included). The data does however include tournaments that used a magic rack and those that used a traditional triangle rack. I know this muddles the sample data’s “purity” somewhat but I wanted to get a larger sample size in exchange for this “experimental error.”
The empirical data confirms what many (most?) people including myself believe, which is the break is a bigger advantage in 9-ball than in 10-ball. My hypothesis for why this edge exists is because 10-ball has 1 more ball in play which makes it harder to run out, harder to pocket a ball(s) on the break, and more ball congestion/traffic to deal with. I think the sample size is sufficiently large enough such that tracking AtLarge’s future breaking stats posts will probably not change the data by much. I suspect the 9-ball breaker’s edge will stay in the 11.0-11.9% range, and the 10-ball breaker’s edge will be in the 6.0-6.9% range.
8-ball:
| tournament | year | conditions (see below) | made ball on break (w/o foul) | breaker won game | break and run |
| World 8-Ball Championship | 2026 | 9/4.125/TR/R/O | 46% | 50% | 25% |
| World 8-Ball Championship | 2025 | 9/4.25/TR/R/O | 49% | 52% | 29% |
| US Open 8-Ball Championship | 2025 | 9/4.25/TE/B/O | 73% | 61% | 48% |
| World 8-Ball Championship | 2024 | 9/4.25/TR/R/O | 53% | 58% | 37% |
| US Open 8-Ball Championship | 2024 | 9/4.25/TE/B/O | 78% | 62% | 52% |
| World 8-Ball Championship | 2023 | 9/4.25/TR/R/O | 49% | 53% | 37% |
| World 8-Ball Championship | 2022 | 9/4.25/TR/R/O | 57% | 59% | 42% |
| Bar Box Classic | 2021 | 7/unk/TR/B/T | 67% | 55% | 37% |
| US Open 8-Ball Championship | 2019 | 9/4.5/TR/B/O | 63% | 55% | 43% |
| World Pool Series – August | 2018 | 9/4.25/TE/R/T | 58% | 49% | 31% |
| US Open 8-Ball Championship | 2018 | 9/4.25/TE/B/O | 63% | 54% | 33% |
| Accu-Stats “Make It Happen” Invitational | 2017 | 9/unk/TR/B/T | 65% | 47% | 33% |
| World Pool Series – November | 2017 | 9/4/TR/B,R/T | 37% | 47% | 16% |
| US Open 8-Ball Championship | 2017 | 9/4.25/TE/B/O | 68% | 56% | 41% |
| World Pool Series – July | 2017 | 9/4/TR/B,R/T | 47% | 54% | 23% |
| World Pool Series – April | 2017 | 9/4/TR/B,R/T | 45% | 46% | 18% |
| World Pool Series – January | 2017 | 9/4.25/TR/B/T | 53% | 48% | 29% |
| Accu-Stats “Make It Happen” Invitational | 2016 | 9/unk/TE/B/T | 73% | 55% | 41% |
| US Open 8-Ball Championship | 2016 | 7/4.5/TE/B/O | 76% | 64% | 53% |
| US Open 8-Ball Championship | 2015 | 7/4.5/TE/B/O | 67% | 64% | 52% |
| US Bar Table Men’s 8-Ball Championship | 2015 | 7/4.5/TE/B/O | 68% | 58% | 44% |
| Accu-Stats “Make It Happen” Invitational | 2014 | 9/4.5/TE/R/O | 73% | 61% | 50% |
| CSI Invitational 8-Ball Championship | 2014 | 9/4.5/TE/B/O | 71% | 64% | 54% |
Conditions: Table – 10′ (10), 9′ (9), 7′ (7) / Corner Pocket Mouth Size – in inches or unknown (unk) / Rack – template (TE), triangle (TR) / Who Racks – breaker (B), opponent (P), ref (R) / After Break – table open (O), take what you make (T)
Check out “8-Ball Break Stats” (BD, August, 2016) and the video below for some interesting statistics for top pro players playing 8-ball on bar-boxes.
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