Is a Break Cue Necessary?

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DeaconBlooze

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've been debating this for a while. I do most of my playing at my home. I use my McDermott Portico as my playing cue, but also have a McD Bat and Spectrum. The Spectrum gets little to no use. I was hoping of selling that cue and possibly purchasing a break cue with the funds - but for the just over 200 I could get for the Spectrum, is it worth it to invest in a break cue?

I was debating just keeping that 200 and putting it elsewhere, perhaps lessons? Will an investment in a break cue offer a noticeable difference? Should I give up on the sale of the Spectrum and use that as a break cue? Do many players break with their playing cue?

Lately, I've primarily been playing 14.1, so it would seem that a break cue may not be as useful. I still do play quite a bit of 8 and 9 ball with guests, are house cues my best option?
 
The short answer is no.
A break cue is not necessary.

It sound like you don't compete as most or all of you play is at home.
I assume you play the game because you enjoy it.

One thing the break cue does is reduces the wear and tear of you playing cue shaft and tip. Maybe this matter to you, maybe not.

I see lots of people in league grabbing a house cue to break with.

I like a dedicated break cue, but that is just me.

What do you expect to get out of a dedicated break cue?
How will it imporve you game/overall enjoyment?

If you are happy with the amount of balls you make on you break, you don't need one.

If you need to improve your break and this is not a skill issue but equipment issue, then yes, pick up a break cue.
 
If your your question is specific to need, then no. However in situations of 8, 9, and 10 Ball, break cues have their advantages. Most comment about protecting their playing cue and/or tip. Some claim weight benefits their efforts while others point out shaft stiffness and tip hardness to be in their favor. I chose to purchase an inexpensive cue with a very stiff shaft, threw a break tip on it, added a little weight and have been happy with it.
 
No, but some people like to break with a different weight cue than their player.

I personally like to break with a different cue because I worry about possibly ruining my playing cue. For instance I break with the same weight as my playing cue except I use an extra hard leather tip and G-10 ferrule on 14mm shaft... Not ideal for a playing cue.
 
No, it is not, my suggestions would be (these are in order):

1. Get a break tip put on one of the cues you're not using, sell the other and get some lessons.
2. Sell 1 of the cues and buy an I-1, the reason for specially an I-1 is that you know you like McDermott equipment.
3. Sell a cue & buy a J/B cue.

All are good options, I put them in that order because you mostly play 14.1.
 
I think It is necessary to have all the equipment reqiured to play your best pool.. A carpenter has all the tools in his pouch even if he doesnt always need the hammer etc...if u play alot u def want a break cue with a hard semi flattened tip unlike your playing cue, standard for that would be a soft or medium tip shaped almost like a half of moon by using a dime/ nickel tip tool... Moral of the story u should have a break cue ...
 
I've seen this come up with a local player who plays at what you would name, "short-stop", to, "semi-pro" status. He breaks with his playing cue and just deals with wherever the CB lands. His break is about his only true weakness and he's tried the BK2 and was not impressed with it.

I let him try out mine and he immediately wanted to buy it.

For some people a BK2 (or whatever in later years becomes the standard) does what they want. It makes them a deadly breaker. For others it might be a Samsara, an Action, or a Viking. Which one you like is individual; I leave it to the manufacturers to tell people what the greatest ever break cue of this millennium is.

But just about any serious player I'm aware of has a break cue because that shot alone determines the rest of your match. And most don't want to hammer the stack with their playing cue. At least not if they like it.
 
Sorry to piggy back your thread OP but since we're on the topic, I think it's better than clutter the front page with another thread.

If this post is not ok with you, let me know and I'll delete it.

Last Friday I purchased a Eliminator SP for $35 to play with while my player is being made.

Once my player is ready in a couple of months, what do you guys recommend I do to convert it into a break cue?
 
I bought an inexpensive jump/break cue because my playing cue has a soft, expensive tip (Kamui Soft) on it.

I figured it would cost $45 to replace the tip, so $100 for a j/b seemed like the right move.
 
16.5 oz G-10 tip ferrule nickel radius does it for me with action nineball the game. At one time I thought heavy = more power. Now with less effort and better CB controle the lighter has me sold.
 
Thanks for the input. Lots of interesting opinions.

So, here's what I'm thinking:

I may try to sell the Spectrum (ebay, since no one seems to want it around here...:(). With some of that cash, I think I'd like to get a dedicated break cue. I don't want to spend a lot - I'm thinking under 130.

I see the J&J's have some believers on the forum. Is this a decent cue for my purposes? That, or there's a Players that also gets a decent review, and also an Elite dedicated break cue... I want something that will do the job. I can upgrade later if I don't like it, but I don't want to be completely disappointed with the quality/function.

If I do opt for one of the cheaper options, is there a tip upgrade that's recommended? I'd like to stay in line with league rules, so I think phenolic would be out?

Again, I appreciate the suggestions!
 
DeaconBlooze said:
I've been debating this for a while. I do most of my playing at my home. I use my McDermott Portico as my playing cue, but also have a McD Bat and Spectrum. The Spectrum gets little to no use. I was hoping of selling that cue and possibly purchasing a break cue with the funds - but for the just over 200 I could get for the Spectrum, is it worth it to invest in a break cue?

I was debating just keeping that 200 and putting it elsewhere, perhaps lessons? Will an investment in a break cue offer a noticeable difference? Should I give up on the sale of the Spectrum and use that as a break cue? Do many players break with their playing cue?

Lately, I've primarily been playing 14.1, so it would seem that a break cue may not be as useful. I still do play quite a bit of 8 and 9 ball with guests, are house cues my best option?
Click to expand...


I say get a cheap break cue since you will only be using it with 8,9 and 10ball.
 
DeaconBlooze said:
Thanks for the input. Lots of interesting opinions.

So, here's what I'm thinking:

I may try to sell the Spectrum (ebay, since no one seems to want it around here...:(). With some of that cash, I think I'd like to get a dedicated break cue. I don't want to spend a lot - I'm thinking under 130.

I see the J&J's have some believers on the forum. Is this a decent cue for my purposes? That, or there's a Players that also gets a decent review, and also an Elite dedicated break cue... I want something that will do the job. I can upgrade later if I don't like it, but I don't want to be completely disappointed with the quality/function.

If I do opt for one of the cheaper options, is there a tip upgrade that's recommended? I'd like to stay in line with league rules, so I think phenolic would be out?

Again, I appreciate the suggestions!
Click to expand...

I think phenolic is allowed everywhere now...
 
Uski said:
I think It is necessary to have all the equipment reqiured to play your best pool.. A carpenter has all the tools in his pouch even if he doesnt always need the hammer etc...if u play alot u def want a break cue with a hard semi flattened tip unlike your playing cue, standard for that would be a soft or medium tip shaped almost like a half of moon by using a dime/ nickel tip tool... Moral of the story u should have a break cue ...
Click to expand...

I disagree, one does not "need" a break cue. By the logic you stated above: "It is necessary to have all the equipment required to play your best pool.", a player should also have a jump cue and a Masse cue a Diamond table with pro cut pockets, some Kamui chalk might be needed also. One simply does not have to obtain every piece of equipment to to play excellent pool.

There is nothing wrong with having a break cue or anything else but one can reach a very high level of play with a decent house cue.
 
In the poolroom I brought my breaker. When I played in bars I just used my player as one cue was hard enough to watch from getting stolen in most of the joints I went to. Up until the last few years that I played I played off the wall. I just kept a few different sizes of slip on tips in my pocket. Johnnyt
 
I use a break cue since the thought of walloping my playing cue bothers me even though logic tells me it won't hurt it.
And I get a better break with a break cue, I personally do not see a huge difference between a moderately priced breaker and a high priced one but your mileage may vary.
 
Break cue...

Nope.

I agree with most, I have one may be slightly lighter then my player. (not enough to notice a huge difference.)

Saves wear and tear on my players. One less thing to worry about when attempting to really put some power into a break.

I can't say that I break BETTER with it vrs a house cue, but I can say I'm my break pattern is more consistant, and I usually know what to expect after.

JMTC...
 
I'd pick one up if I were you and had the $200 laying around. A good break stick can really help you out if you ever decide to get in league play.

I went with this Cuetec and a Samsara tip.

http://www.cuetec.com/features/jump-a-break

When new, that combo helped me immensely. I always got comments about the sound of the CRACK on the break. Eventually the Samsara wore out and I replaced it with a slightly softer Tiger jump/break tip. So far, I think I like it better.
 
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