Dr Dave and Bob Jewett, both members here, have published many papers on these topics. From my understaffing the short answer is:

1) none of what you are asking about affects spin in any noticeable amount. All that affects spin is the tip contact point and cueing direction.
2) for the energy transfer to the CB for the CB linear speed, those factors do come into play. That's why break sticks have harder tips.

I tried building a sneaky from one of the under ten dollar budweiser cues years ago. New shaft, best of everything. New joint. When I played with it, it played better but still solidly in the junk range. The cue value didn't go up by the amount of components plus I had over half a day's time invested in turning a six dollar cue into a maybe $25 cue.

While components matter most on the tip end of the cue and least on the bumper end, I have proven to myself that even the bumper matters. Another issue, one low quality component brings the whole cue down. All components need to be in the same quality range. You can't turn a sow's ear into a silk purse!

Hu

My GCIV pockets. A little tighter.

I won 7-3. A buddy gave me some moving tips and they came into play immediately.
My backpocket record with this opponent is now:
Lose 6 games (50 per game) = -300
Lose 6-7 R7 for 300 = -600
Win 7-5 R7 for 300 = -300
Win 7-3 R7 for 300 = 0

It feels good to play it again after about 25 years and definitely more overall skill and knowledge about pool since then.

Another K-ball run. Heartbreaker 34 on a run to [who knows].

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-td

Here is your "key"....You can't force a straight stroke.....I mean you can try to force it straight a million times "practicing" a straight stroke. but under pressure a "forced" straight stroke will fail. A crooked stroke is magnified by pressure, amount of force applied, or using english.

In reality.....the stroke is actually just a "result" of 4 non moving pieces....which is all you really can control. Grip, Stance, Posture, Alignment. Change any or all of them and it changes your stroke.....Your "natural" stroke....which is the one you want under pressure...is just a result of those 4 pieces. It must must must be natural.....Now if it is not perfectly straight but pockets balls all day long....(some pros) no need to change something that "naturally" works.....as long as it is not forced.

I use a device I 3D printed from time to time that goes on my tip and tells me if my stroke is crooked and/or twisting. I just adjust my grip, stance, posture, alignment so that It stays straight. I can play full racks with it on, and I can also use it to dial in actual amounts of 1/2 tip and full tip english.

Top one has the wings and will let you know if you are twisting the cue during the stroke. (curling your wrist)
Second one does the same as above but you can use the pointers on top to dial in tips of english (or center CB)
Third one is the one I would use to play full racks....It will still let you know if you are twisting on certain shots.....and the tips will help dial in reference to actual tip amounts being applied.


Also......Akin to the scotch tape on the tip practice routine.........I made a center ball practice cap. Get off center ball at all and you will miscue.

JohnnyOzone said:

What is the difference btwn doing that and, as you said, kicking and knocking the 9 ball in ? They are both intentional fouls

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One is a legal shot made w/a valid stroke (but a foul), the other is not only illegal but also unsportsmanlike, and if allowed you might as well not play by any rules at all.

Sheldon said:

I get what you're saying.
But intentionally double hitting the cue ball is nowhere near the same level of foul as directly striking an object ball.

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Close enough. See above.

skogstokig said:

island drive should do a collab with dr dave. maybe he's onto something

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I did contact him.... said he's not heard or seen the effects of this.

Ok, that was pretty fun!

Rocket354 said:

On the women's side it's ok because there are fewer break and runs and so a little more uncertainty with every shot and decision, more misses, more back-and-forth, and therefore a little more excitement. On the men's side it's still pretty boring.

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I even find it interesting to watch the men play 8 ball, especially on bar tables as they often have to negotiate break outs- they still usually get out, but it is interesting to see how they do it

skogstokig said:

did chezka even miss a ball? i missed part after 6-5 but saw final rack. at 6-5 neither had missed a ball, or played safe

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1 ball in the final rack