Hatred for jump cues.

XxMerlinxX

XxMerlinxX

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What's with all the hate for jump cues? I love my jump cue and wouldn't want anyone telling me I couldn't shoot with it, so I wouldn't tell anyone they couldn't shoot with theirs. I see a lot of people saying that people should jump with their playing cues. I sort of see where they're coming from with this, but I don't really agree. I don't want to put that sort of wear and tear on my playing cue, just like I don't like breaking with my playing cue. I also think it would probably be just as easy if I unscrewed the shaft from my playing cue, and used that, but I haven't tested that out yet. Thoughts?
 
Well I like them. The only thing I don't like about a jump cue is watching some idiot hook himself in the middle of a run and then jump out anyway.

There should be a rule if I hook you then you can jump. If you hook yourself then tough. Unless someone would say "On my next shot I will be performing a jump shot."

Other than the chump using it to continue a simple run. I think everyone should learn to jump.
 
JamisonNeu said:
The only thing I don't like about a jump cue is watching some idiot hook himself in the middle of a run and then jump out anyway.
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What's wrong with that? You still have to get lucky to make the shot or to leave your opponent safe.

JamisonNeu said:
There should be a rule if I hook you then you can jump. If you hook yourself then tough. Unless someone would say "On my next shot I will be performing a jump shot."

Other than the chump using it to continue a simple run. I think everyone should learn to jump.
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Should you not be allowed to masse when you hook yourself either? Why single out the jump shot? Again, if you use a jump cue that makes the shot easier, you still have to get a lucky roll to get a safety or make the shot and get position.
 
YOU KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE RAISE HELL ON HERE AND SAY JUMP WITH YOUR PLAYING CUE, LIKE EARL DOES AND STUFF . WELL I SEEN A MATCH ON ESPN THE OTHER DAY AND WATCH EARL SWITCH CUE'S IN THE GAME TO BE ABLE TO JUMP WITH , THEN BACK TO HIS PLAYING CUE. YES IT WAS A STANDARD SIZE CUE , BUT IT WAS NOT THE SAME PLAYING CUE HE WAS PLAYING WITH . I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND SOME PEOPLE'S *****ING, I SAY IF EVERYONE WAS THAT GOOD OF PLAYERS NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO JUMP AT ALL. BUT ONE THING IM SURE GLAD I CAN JUMP CAUSE IT SURE SAVE'S MY ASS ALOT . I LOVE MY PREDATOR AIR ,LOL:thumbup:
 
ARROWCRUSHER said:
YOU KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE RAISE HELL ON HERE AND SAY JUMP WITH YOUR PLAYING CUE, LIKE EARL DOES AND STUFF . WELL I SEEN A MATCH ON ESPN THE OTHER DAY AND WATCH EARL SWITCH CUE'S IN THE GAME TO BE ABLE TO JUMP WITH , THEN BACK TO HIS PLAYING CUE. YES IT WAS A STANDARD SIZE CUE , BUT IT WAS NOT THE SAME PLAYING CUE HE WAS PLAYING WITH . I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND SOME PEOPLE'S *****ING, I SAY IF EVERYONE WAS THAT GOOD OF PLAYERS NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO JUMP AT ALL. BUT ONE THING IM SURE GLAD I CAN JUMP CAUSE IT SURE SAVE'S MY ASS ALOT . I LOVE MY PREDATOR AIR ,LOL:thumbup:
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I think you're exactly right about the jump cue. I have a Predator Air too, and it'll definitely get you outta trouble sometimes where a full length cue won't, no matter what speed you play at.
 
When a player whips out a jump cue, it is more often that they don't even hit the Object ball, let alone pocket it and if they do come close to pocketing the OB, it is almost impossible (highly unlikely) that they will get shape on the next ball.
IMO this is more of the RULE, than that of the exception.

So when I have to announce "No Jump Cues Allowed" it is with the reluctance that those players with JUMP cues will not be able to show how in-effective they really are using them.

Just MHO.
 
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Tom In Cincy said:
With a JUMP cue, why should a player learn or practice masse or a kicking methods?
As long as these Jump owners can't effectively use their Jump cues, they won't be able to kick or masse either?

So when I have to announce "No Jump Cues Allowed" it is with the reluctance that those players with JUMP cues will not be able to show how in-effective they really are using them.

Just MHO.
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There are a lot of situations that you cannot jump your way out of and a lot of times where it makes more sense to kick and other times it makes more sense to jump.

Like this... jumping is the best way to pocket this ball.

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and this, its better to kick.

CueTable Help



You have to practice your jump shot just as you would practice any other shot to be effective with it.
 
I have mixed feelings about jump cues. On one hand, tables have changed. As slate gets thinner, it's more difficult to jump balls. The Brunswich Gold Crown IIIs, IVs (and I'd imagine Vs) are simply hard tables to jump on. Try jumping on any old Medalist and you'll quickly realize the game has changed.

On the otherhand, these jump cues are getting better and better every year. There are guys getting the cueball to hop over nearly any non-frozen situation. Safety play is completely different because of it and I'm not very happy with this simple truth.

I think an interesting rule would be this -

You are only allowed to use a jump cue at the start of an inning and may switch to your playing cue thereafter.

That way, if my opponent safes himself, he can't jump his way out of it. I also think that would be a fair mix of old and new.
 
Whether you like them or you don't it doesn't really matter. They are legal as of right now. As long as they are legal it makes absolutely no sense to not utilize them. Everyone here has their own opinion about them and thats fine.... but I find it kinda ridiculous to not use them if allowed because your "old school".
 
Why the hatred for jump cues? You ask a fair question. I'll try to give you a fair answer from an old-timer's perspective.

It's not really jump cues as such that I dislike. It's the changes that have happened to pool over the last 30-35 years, and jump cues, phenolic tips and so forth are just a part of it.

In an effort to increase TV coverage and the fan base, the tournament game was switched back then to nine ball. Nine ball meant that the break became very important, so players had to learn how to hit like Superman, with leaps and bounds and flying cue balls. Those of us who grew up with straight pool, a game of finesse, did not welcome this change. It's not right or wrong, we just don't like it. We think it lessens the game. The emphasis on the break eventually led to phenolic and G10 tips, but those are just a symptom of what we don't like, not the cause.

In a further effort to speed up the game, the penalty for a scratch or foul became ball in hand anywhere on the table. That penalty for not hitting the lowest numbered ball was so severe, particularly at the pro level, that jumping became an important part of the game. Jump cues are the result. Again, just a symptom, not the cause.

We old-timers liked our game better. Besides finesse, straight pool (or one pocket) requires more thought and creativity. In nine ball you know what your next shot is going to be, and that takes away a big part of what makes pool challenging. It all becomes execution, like bowling (well, not that bad).

The hoped for TV coverage hasn't worked out, as I guess you know. We are now left with a game that isn't any more popular than 30 years ago, but with a whole generation of pool players who know nothing but nine ball (eight ball too, to be fair). That is a shame. Not long ago I was at a room playing straight pool with a friend, and I heard some guy ask the counterman what were we playing. Worse, the counterman told him it was straight pool, a good beginners game. As Marlon Brando said, "the horror, the horror".

So ... jump cues, jumping, monster breaks and flying cue balls .... it's all a result of the attempt to make the game spectator friendly, and it's changed pool in a big way. Not for the better from our perspective.
 
Rich93 said:
Why the hatred for jump cues? You ask a fair question. I'll try to give you a fair answer from an old-timer's perspective.

It's not really jump cues as such that I dislike. It's the changes that have happened to pool over the last 30-35 years, and jump cues, phenolic tips and so forth are just a part of it.

In an effort to increase TV coverage and the fan base, the tournament game was switched back then to nine ball. Nine ball meant that the break became very important, so players had to learn how to hit like Superman, with leaps and bounds and flying cue balls. Those of us who grew up with straight pool, a game of finesse, did not welcome this change. It's not right or wrong, we just don't like it. We think it lessens the game. The emphasis on the break eventually led to phenolic and G10 tips, but those are just a symptom of what we don't like, not the cause.

In a further effort to speed up the game, the penalty for a scratch or foul became ball in hand anywhere on the table. That penalty for not hitting the lowest numbered ball was so severe, particularly at the pro level, that jumping became an important part of the game. Jump cues are the result. Again, just a symptom, not the cause.

We old-timers liked our game better. Besides finesse, straight pool (or one pocket) requires more thought and creativity. In nine ball you know what your next shot is going to be, and that takes away a big part of what makes pool challenging. It all becomes execution, like bowling (well, not that bad).

The hoped for TV coverage hasn't worked out, as I guess you know. We are now left with a game that isn't any more popular than 30 years ago, but with a whole generation of pool players who know nothing but nine ball (eight ball too, to be fair). That is a shame. Not long ago I was at a room playing straight pool with a friend, and I heard some guy ask the counterman what were we playing. Worse, the counterman told him it was straight pool, a good beginners game. As Marlon Brando said, "the horror, the horror".

So ... jump cues, jumping, monster breaks and flying cue balls .... it's all a result of the attempt to make the game spectator friendly, and it's changed pool in a big way. Not for the better from our perspective.
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I'm not old school, but I agree with this.
 
DoubleD said:
I don't own a jump cue and don't intend to. I've tried one a few times, just for fun. They work well, take skill and I have no problem with them.

I don't want one just because I feel like my time is better spent learning other aspects of this game.

I learned to jump on a barbox in my parent's house with house cues. Couldn't ever get over a full ball with any accuracy, but could get enough to get by a partial obstruction.

I know too many player with whom I am competitive, who are monsters with jump cues to believe that this beautiful part of the game should ever be taken away.
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You're right on the money about practicing other aspects of the game instead of the jump shot. It's way more important to practice simpler shots and fundamentals than to spend that much time working on jump shots unless you're already an accomplished player. Still, when you play against tough 9-ball players, there will be times when you're hooked and a jump shot is an easy hit and a kick or masse is very difficult or impossible. During these times, you'll be sorry you didn't have a jump shot and you're opponent will run a few racks after you give ball in hand.
 
Rich93 said:
Why the hatred for jump cues? You ask a fair question. I'll try to give you a fair answer from an old-timer's perspective.

It's not really jump cues as such that I dislike. It's the changes that have happened to pool over the last 30-35 years, and jump cues, phenolic tips and so forth are just a part of it.

In an effort to increase TV coverage and the fan base, the tournament game was switched back then to nine ball. Nine ball meant that the break became very important, so players had to learn how to hit like Superman, with leaps and bounds and flying cue balls. Those of us who grew up with straight pool, a game of finesse, did not welcome this change. It's not right or wrong, we just don't like it. We think it lessens the game. The emphasis on the break eventually led to phenolic and G10 tips, but those are just a symptom of what we don't like, not the cause.

In a further effort to speed up the game, the penalty for a scratch or foul became ball in hand anywhere on the table. That penalty for not hitting the lowest numbered ball was so severe, particularly at the pro level, that jumping became an important part of the game. Jump cues are the result. Again, just a symptom, not the cause.

We old-timers liked our game better. Besides finesse, straight pool (or one pocket) requires more thought and creativity. In nine ball you know what your next shot is going to be, and that takes away a big part of what makes pool challenging. It all becomes execution, like bowling (well, not that bad).

The hoped for TV coverage hasn't worked out, as I guess you know. We are now left with a game that isn't any more popular than 30 years ago, but with a whole generation of pool players who know nothing but nine ball (eight ball too, to be fair). That is a shame. Not long ago I was at a room playing straight pool with a friend, and I heard some guy ask the counterman what were we playing. Worse, the counterman told him it was straight pool, a good beginners game. As Marlon Brando said, "the horror, the horror".

So ... jump cues, jumping, monster breaks and flying cue balls .... it's all a result of the attempt to make the game spectator friendly, and it's changed pool in a big way. Not for the better from our perspective.
Click to expand...

That's why 10 ball was invented, minus the Texas Express rules that you hate so much.
 
The problem with jump cues is that they are designed to remove the difficulty of what should be a challenging shot as much as possible.

The problem with jump cues is that Robin Dodson can give a 6 year old kid or a bar room hack a "Frog" jump cue and in 5 minutes of minimal training where the cue itself does most of the work have him doing full ball jumps and pocketing the ball.

Jump cues are designed specifically to require as little skill as possible and to do the job for you. The less effort and skill required to jump with a jump cue the better and they constantly attempt to create more and more gimmicks with those cues to further reduce the effort and make the jump cue the answer to all hook situations.

We now have pencil thin jump cues built made to dart the cueball and jump over a full ball very close to the cueball, we have the phenolic tips that remove alot of the stroke and power needed to cause the "bounce" that makes the cue ball jump, we have slightly longer jump cues coming out now that make for more accurate jumping when you are not required to jump a full ball or have a fair amount of distance between the cueball and conflicting ball. And the mother of all horrors (so far) we have the Jump Buddy http://www.jump-buddy.com/ .

The more crap they come out with like this the more they remove the skill factor from the game. It does not take that much skill to jump with todays jump cues, those cues are designed to make jumping easy so this is common sense. You can watch an endless stream of APA 3 skill level players jumping in full ball jumps at the "Frog" booth and buying up those cues to make up for the fact they cannot play shape or kick.

The hatred I have for jump cues is what they are doing to the game. Pool is already looked down upon by the snooker crowd and now we are gimmicking it up to make it even more brain dead. How the heck anyone thinks that is a good thing is beyond me.
 
like grady once said, "i can teach anyone with any sort of coordination how to jump a ball in 30 mins., but it takes years to learn how to kick well". he said this referring to a jump cue being used during a match. i agree with him. more knowledge involved in kicking.
 
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