In the "Good Old Days" (1960s, 1970s, Johnston City, The Rack, etc.), did the champions and great players like Lassiter, Worst, Kelly, Cornbread, etc. use their playing cues for hard breaking in 9 ball and 8 ball or did they use other cues to break? My guess is that they used their playing cues but I don't know this. Thanks.
Break Cue in Good Old Days?
- Thread starter Logandgriff
- Start date
I used my palmer in the 60s. The theory was if it wasnt good enough to break with it wasnt good enough to play with
Correct amundo
They used other cues to break for a couple of reasons:
1.) The tip: Breaking flattens the tip, and actually, a flat tip is preferable for breaking, but not for playing.
2.) The tip again: Many players liked to play with a softer tip than they wanted for breaking.
3.) The ferrule: Years ago, ivory ferrules on playing cues were in vogue. Hard breaking caused them to chip and crack.
1.) The tip: Breaking flattens the tip, and actually, a flat tip is preferable for breaking, but not for playing.
2.) The tip again: Many players liked to play with a softer tip than they wanted for breaking.
3.) The ferrule: Years ago, ivory ferrules on playing cues were in vogue. Hard breaking caused them to chip and crack.
Doesn't look like you got many responses. Here is my remembrances. I hung around one of the best action rooms in the country. Everybody came there in the winter.
I can't remember anyone carrying a break cue. Most either broke with their own cues or found a house cue to break with. Even in tournaments you didn't see break cues.
I remember seeing Cannon Ball break his Balabushka cue breaking a rack of 9 ball in a tournament. He was standing there with half the cue in his hand as the wrap was falling off on the floor.
I remember seeing Mike Carella break a cue while breaking the balls also.
I guess there is good reason to not break with your playing cue.
