surely this has happened in a big match, what's the rule??
- By GideonF
- Main Forum
- 35 Replies
I think it’s tradition/history. Snooker cues were historically made of ash and were one piece cues. At some point they developed two piece cues but they were largely 3/4 joint (see picture as an example).
I think top snooker players feel that you get a better hit with either no joint or a joint further away from the tip. Also snooker cues traditionally had brass ferrules. Now some have titanium (which is lighter so lower deflection). I’ve never heard of a 3/4 cue coming with a second “shaft”.
The top Canadian players in the 1980s played with two piece maple cues (with the joint 1/2 way like a pool cue) and fibre ferrules like a pool cue. World Champ Cliff Thorburn, Kirk Stevens etc. I think that’s what they grew up with.
Also, 7x world champion Steven Hendry of Scotland played with a cheap maple cue (I believe 3/4) until it was broken in transit.
For a player to switch cues is a big deal as they have to get used to the deflection and feel.
That said, I’ve seen snooker pros so unhappy with their tips that it effects their game. They don’t want to change mid tournament because they haven’t broken in the new tip. I would have thought they would be better off to buy (if they even pay) two cues that play as close as possible and keep one “backup” ready with a played in tip. But obviously the thought of switching cues is worse than the prospect of putting up with a bad tip.
