jbart65 said:

Playing roster is out and a lot of big names are missing. Might be the weakest field of any big WNT major ever.

NOT PLAYING

Shane Van Boening
Aloysius Yapp
Carlo Biado
Johann Chua
Ko Pin Yi
Ko Ping Chung
Jayson Shaw
Mickey Krause
Skyler Woodward
Tyler Styer
AJ Manas
Albert Januarta


Only a single Filipino was listed: Jepthah Palencia.

Hardly any Polish players either, aside from Viktor.

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Yes, disappointing. Manas, Januarta, and Styer are not among the elite (all sub 800 Fargo) so, to me, their absence is a "so what?" Krause showed weak form at Derby City and skipped the Las Vegas Open. The Kos were never expected to be in this field. Still, there are six other noteworthy absences. Four of them played in the Predator Las Vegas Open and are skipping this WNT major (SVB, Biado, Shaw, and Woodward). I don't think it will sit well with Emily, but hopefully, none of them will face the kind of persecution normally reserved by Matchroom for Filler.

It still looks like a fine event, but as you note, it could have been and should have been better.

The weakest ever field at a WNT major was, actually, at the very last one that was played, namely the 2025 Philippines Open, in which five sixths of the field was Asian.

Finally, any WNT event in which Filler and Gorst both participate will always capture my fullest attention. As long as WNT is going to regularly feature the two best players in the world, it will always make for great viewing.

Patrick Johnson said:

It likely means your shaft's pivot point is right around where your bridge is.

pj
chgo

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likely, as over the decades all things seek equilibrium.
and things that work get repeated and things that dont get lost.
second nature, just like walking.

garczar said:

arcos are aramith SAP resin mix. some people hate that cat logo but i like them myself. Vanadium Dyna's are the best buy in balls imo.

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last time I check, the Dyno were costing more than the Aramiths. I have to check again.

HyperioN said:

I've always liked the idea of having a Tascarella cue. The history with Balabushka, the classic style, very old school.

So I got a quote...nothing fancy, his classic 4 point, 4 veneer with stainless steel joint, a few notched diamond inlays with leather wrap.....$5,250!!!

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If you were quoted a price by the Tascarellas, it's not off-handed. They're good as gold folks.

HyperioN said:

The questions I have...

1. Is that worth that price or should I find something used?
Worth every penny. Every aspect of their work excellent, as is the experience of working with them. The re-sale value of cues by them is extraordinary.

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HyperioN said:

2. Is it worth the hype? Does it really have a great hit and feel? I know its subjective but I do see a lot for sale.

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It's not hype, it's a richly earned legacy. This year is their 50th anniversary. Their cues' hit & feel is incredible. Will the standard taper on their shafts suit you? Who could know. Here's what you can know. Tascarella Custom Cues is, first & foremost, a top of the food chain master cue shop. If you know what you want, or can provide an example of it, they can almost assuredly make it happen. Will they do it for free? Why would they.
You do see quite a few for sale, but unlikely it's a dislike of the cue. People trade their investments up all the time. You could find a used Tasc you like, save some money, and have a really great cue. Understand though, what you pay for an older cue in good shape will probably be a large percentage of what it originally cost. That's important, and a good thing. This last fall I sold a merry widow that I'd bought new from a small dealer, and a 4pt Hoppe made in 2009 that I'd bought used. Owned them both about 3 1/2 years. Played with them, enjoyed them, kept them in good shape, and they sold for every penny I had invested in them.
I re-invested those funds into a brand new, highly inlaid, build from them, for me, that I just received 2 weeks ago. It's awesome.
It is a sibling to the Tascarella I ordered in fall of 2020 as my retirement gift to myself after a 41 yr career. Also awesome... trust me. Mid-year 2026, Pete will finish my inlaid Macassar Ebony Merry Widow.

HyperioN said:

3. Do you have one that you would never get rid of because you love it so much?

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I have two now, and a 3rd coming. I designed what I wanted, and they always kill it.

HyperioN said:

4. If you have ordered a custom from Pete, what aspects of your cue have you loved or not loved?
Everything. My shafts are custom tapered to my liking - they play great for me! Working with the Tascarellas is an experience I very highly recommend. They are truly fantastic people, they've treated me incredibly well, we respect one another, and I'm happy to consider them friends.

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Good luck to you. Chris

HyperioN said:

THANKS IN ADVANCE!
John

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from my experience, I tend to miscue more with FHE compared to BHE, although using BHE appears to apply more unintended english or needs better judgement and application of english compared to applying FHE. having said that, my game was better last night on applying BHE. I was miscuing a lot last night with FHE. I guess my tip needs some scuffing treatment.

he is tops but you are paying a lot more for the name and his artful work. not a better playing cue. although it will play well. hopefully to your style since you will be buying sight unseen.

i could send you(i wont) a ten dollar junk cue that looks fine and hits as well as any other cue i have.
that's why you need to decide if you are looking for a playing cue or a look what i have cue.
you will likely get both with him.

anytime you buy a custom get extra shafts as they may never be offered again to you.

I agree that it’s not clearly a foul. Doesn’t look it a foul in real time and slow motion is inconclusive to me.

Be curious about your call (and others) on the following shot. First posted in real time and then in slow motion.

Login to view embedded media
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maha said:

i prefer bhe as i keep my front as if a straight or regular type of shot.
just move my back hand to where it needs to be. still stroke straight thru.

although been doing it long before anyone put a name on it.

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It likely means your shaft's pivot point is right around where your bridge is.

pj
chgo

dr_dave said:

FYI, I just posted a new video that shows an example of a double hit foul call situation that came up in a recent pool league match. Do you think I made the correct call? Check it out:

Login to view embedded media ​

Supporting Resources:

• fouls resource page: https://drdavepoolinfo.com/faq/foul/
• how to detect and avoid a double hit: https://drdavepoolinfo.com/faq/foul/double-hit/

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!

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without the benefit of a slow-mo video, it's very difficult to judge. other than that, it is a foul. there are situations where you feel that you double hit the shot especially with situations where the CB and OB are close to each other. I believe I did one last night and felt that my cue hit the CB twice as it felt like the CB rebounded back slightly to the cue. while it look good from my pov, it felt that it hit twice. thing is, these things happen in a blink of an eye.

Bump

Mike Rys said:

It doesn't need to be continuous to thread.

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okay, I'll admit my ignorance. Please educate me. How can you live thread something externally if it is not rotating??

While it is inconclusive, it looks like a foul to me, especially in context. Speaking from my own experience, to draw the cue ball AND be sure of avoiding the double hit at this distance from the object ball, the cuestick must be a little more vertical than this.

That said, I would never call this foul on an opponent.

Playing roster is out and a lot of big names are missing. Might be the weakest field of any big WNT major ever.

NOT PLAYING

Shane Van Boening
Aloysius Yapp
Carlo Biado
Johann Chua
Ko Pin Yi
Ko Ping Chung
Jayson Shaw
Mickey Krause
Skyler Woodward
Tyler Styer
AJ Manas
Albert Januarta


Only a single Filipino was listed: Jepthah Palencia.

Hardly any Polish players either, aside from Viktor.

i prefer bhe as i keep my front as if a straight or regular type of shot.
just move my back hand to where it needs to be. still stroke straight thru.

although been doing it long before anyone put a name on it.

Duane Remick said:

I've owned 2 or 3 Tasc cues in the past,
All were top shelf build quality and great selection of woods used in the cues.
I didnt get cues built, bought from secondary market,
I sent 1 cue to Pete for new tips and clean wrap...
I was treated really well by Pete Sr, and he made me feel like a valued customer.
In your circumstance, its Your Judgement call,
How much cash You like to spend.
The cue will certainly be an excellent example of workmanship, for sure.
Playability is subjective...
I recommend You choosing shaft Taper You prefer, Also tips and ferrule material,
That way the cue will be to your specs and liking and give you best chance of enjoying the cue.
The cues are built to be played .

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Playability is always subjective. I can always sell it if I don't like it of course. $5K does seem like a lot for his "basic" or "classic" style. The main question for you....you've owned 2 or 3....why did you sell them and not keep them?

Bavafongoul said:

You are paying a premium price because of the name and the question is whether it is worth it or justifiable?
IMO, it is. However, if the price seems too high, you just need to get quotes from other highly prominent names
in cue making for a fair comparison. You’ll always find a cue maker that could build you an equivalent design for
thousands less if saving $ was important. Just keep in mind it wouldn’t be from an esteemed name in cue making.

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What’s justifiable always comes down to what price you’re personally comfortable with. I’ve been buying and selling cues for almost 10 years, but I’ve always tried to focus on getting the best bang for the buck. A big reason for that is I actually like to play with my cues. I have a hard time bringing anything over $2K out of the house because I’m always worried it might get damaged by someone else. Most people don’t know or care about cues the way I do or the way people on this forum do. So is $5K too much to pay for a Tascarella? I honestly don’t know. Is it absolutely amazing? I’m not sure.

HyperioN said:

I've always liked the idea of having a Tascarella cue. The history with Balabushka, the classic style, very old school.

So I got a quote...nothing fancy, his classic 4 point, 4 veneer with stainless steel joint, a few notched diamond inlays with leather wrap.....$5,250!!!

The questions I have...

1. Is that worth that price or should I find something used?

2. Is it worth the hype? Does it really have a great hit and feel? I know its subjective but I do see a lot for sale.

3. Do you have one that you would never get rid of because you love it so much?

4. If you have ordered a custom from Pete, what aspects of your cue have you loved or not loved?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!
John

Click to expand...

I've owned 2 or 3 Tasc cues in the past,
All were top shelf build quality and great selection of woods used in the cues.
I didnt get cues built, bought from secondary market,
I sent 1 cue to Pete for new tips and clean wrap...
I was treated really well by Pete Sr, and he made me feel like a valued customer.
In your circumstance, its Your Judgement call,
How much cash You like to spend.
The cue will certainly be an excellent example of workmanship, for sure.
Playability is subjective...
I recommend You choosing shaft Taper You prefer, Also tips and ferrule material,
That way the cue will be to your specs and liking and give you best chance of enjoying the cue.
The cues are built to be played .