There must have been times when you had the experience of finding yourself in a situation where there is no other option than to break down the ice.
Whether it’s because there isn’t any ice available or because a situation has forced you to do so, whether it’s for your safety or that of someone else.
Despite being an experienced pool player by now, I still don’t always have my confidence up when I get stuck on some frozen stuff.
In this article, I will be going through some reasons why breaking down your ice is an easy and beneficial thing to do when given the opportunity.
Why Do You Need To Crush The Ice?
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First and foremost, breaking down the ice for replenishment is a great way to save time. Whether it’s for yourself or your child, it’s good to get into the habit of doing this kind of thing.
The speed of an average adult’s hand, along with the current rate at that ice is stored in a refrigerator, can make it difficult to break down a block without taking too long.
Whilst trying to break down your ice will not necessarily do anything but give you more possession over it, in some circumstances, this can be very beneficial as well.
Even if the refs aren’t meticulous enough to take note of such things, there is still a chance that they just might. Should this happen, you will find that you are now at a disadvantage against your opponents.
Imagine you are hosting a cocktail party and it’s getting towards the end of the night, chances are that you will be forced to break down your ice to make sure you can serve out a couple more glasses of wine.
It’s always good to know when you need to do something, so there is no point in waiting and hoping for something to happen.
Thus, get into the habit of breaking down your ice by incorporating a few easy ways and save yourself a little bit of time now and then.
Why Do You Need A Lewis Bag?
You must have enough ice-breaking power at all times. As much as I’d like to say that it is possible to break down most ice with just your bare hands, I’m not so sure about that.
Not only does a Lewis Bag allow you to break down ice more efficiently (as we will see), but there are other benefits as well.
For example, a Lewis Bag gives you more control over the chunks of ice when compared to your bare hands.
While this may seem like a minor issue at first glance, it can become extremely beneficial in certain situations where a few extra seconds can end up being the difference between winning and losing.
For example: if you’re playing in a cash game and you’re one of the last players left, chances are there will be some kind of money on the line.
When you consider that, it’s easy to see why having an ice bag can add more points to your tally at the end of the match. It’s always nice to save time and effort where possible, and a Lewis Bag is one way to do this.
How To Use A Lewis Bag?
There are a couple of things you should keep in mind when using an ice bag. A lewis bag is better used on small chunks of ice rather than big blocks.
It can be used on big blocks with a bit more effort, but you run the risk of damaging your Lewis bag as well.
On top of that, it can make the process slower and more tedious, which is also something to avoid if at all possible.
Secondly, you must know how much pressure to apply when using your ice-breaker. If you apply too much pressure, you can break down the block of ice, but it will make the process more tedious as well.
There’s a better way to do this than by pressing down with all your might on the surface of the block of ice.
This might seem counter-intuitive, but it has a positive effect on your ability to break down the ice when using a Lewis Bag.
If you take your time and apply just enough pressure to break down the block without moving it too much, which could cause it to frequently crack.
There is no need for you to apply excessive force to move things along, which means there is no point in applying so much pressure that makes progress slow and tedious.
Where Can I Buy A Lewis Bag?
You can purchase a Lewis bag from online retailers and could also find a variety of Lewis bags at your local hardware store, eventually.
The one thing I’ve noticed is that these bags are not often on the shelves (as opposed to other kinds of plastic bags), which makes them more difficult to find.
Despite this little issue, it’s still a great way to get into the habit of using it without going out of your way.
If you’re just starting and don’t want to spend too much money on a Lewis bag, there is an alternative option for you as well.
Simply break down each block of ice with either your bare hands or some cheap gloves you might have to lie around and use as Lewis bags.
Things To Keep In Mind While Buying A Lewis Bag
The following points should be assumed before buying A Lewis Bag for crushing your ice-
Size
If you buy a bag that’s too small for your needs, chances are that it will constantly crack when you try to grab it when it gets frozen over.
On the other hand, if you buy a bag that’s too large for your needs, it will take more effort to break down each block of ice with this kind of thing compared to using your bare hands. This can slow the process down even further.
For example, a 16-inch Lewis bag will work perfectly fine for breaking down average size blocks of ice that are 10 inches long. Anything above or below this will make it more difficult for you to break things down.
Material And Durability
You want to buy something that’s going to last you a lifetime if you can. Not only will this save you money, but the added durability will also ensure that your Lewis bag can handle anything thrown at it.
This is especially true if you are using gloves as opposed to a Lewis bag. It’s good for your hands, so there isn’t much need for you to use an icebreaker in the first place.
However, because of this lack of need, your gloves might not be able to handle the kind of pressure and stress that accompanies using a Lewis bag on ice.
Insulation
It doesn’t matter how heavy your Lewis bag is if it’s not insulated. This can help keep your ice bag cooler for longer, especially on those long nights.
Just make sure you buy something that is made of durable material that can handle the pressure and stress of breaking down the ice without getting damaged easily or wearing out easily.
It will save you money in the long run if you know how to choose which kinds of Lewis bags are worth buying and which are not.
Conclusion
The Lewis Bag is one of the most important ice-breakers in a pool player’s arsenal. If you don’t have one lying around, then it might be a good idea to invest in a set of these.
It can make the difference between being able to break down your ice and having to wait for someone else to do it for you.
As I explained previously, not having an ice bag when you need it can be extremely detrimental in certain circumstances where time is of the essence.