Has a new cue actually helped you play better?
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No. But a foreign cue has made me play worse.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Yes, probably a placebo effect, but still. Also shot worse.
Probably comes down to playing characteristics of the cue, my unknowledgeable opinion
Probably comes down to playing characteristics of the cue, my unknowledgeable opinion
Short answer: yes.
How much of that was in my head? I don't know if I could quantify that.
My first cue was an entry-level McDermott, 20 oz. with a 13 mm shaft. I played with that thing for several years and was happy with it.
Then I bought my first Meucci, an 18.5 oz. 84-4 with something called a 'pro taper' shaft. Whatever. It immediately felt better in my hands, and I shot a little better, IMO. It seemed easier to produce draw (the only english I knew how to shoot at the time), and somehow more accurate.
These days I know that I shoot more precisely with a shaft that's somewhere between 12.25 and 12.75mm. The thinner shaft seems to allow me to aim more precisely than something fatter. My favorite cue has a 12.5 mm shaft, and I'm just more accurate all around with it than the few cues I have that have 13 mm shafts. Now, for most shots there's little difference; it's only when I need very precise aim that it's noticeable to me. Things like kick shots, longer caroms, offset combos, and very high-angle cut shots. Those shots just seem to be easier with a thinner shaft. YMMV.
As for magical cues, I only have one. It's a Meucci HP-3 that I won off a guy, brand-new. In fact, the match itself was kind of an accident, or magical. Won't bore everyone with the whole story, but I won it from a guy that I knew was a hustler, and much better than me, but on the rubber game, he miss-shot the 6 into the corner and it rattled instead of going down. The look on his face was utter shock. I ran my two strips, dropped the 8 and walked away with that cue.
In almost 15 years of playing with that cue I won some incredible games, had some ridiculous runs, made some magical shots. Like a fool I sold it about 8 years ago I think when I was having money problems.
Crazy thing was, the buddy I sold it to suddenly became a better shooter with it. His average win total went up about 20% year-to-year. He went from averaging just under one 8-ball run out per session to almost 6. He never took a lesson or got in more practice time.
I got lucky and bought it back from him last year. My game has improved since I started playing it again, and I've semi-retired my newest Peach, sold my Predator, and traded away a Joss.
The only problem is that the stick is old; I'm scared I'll accidentally break it somehow. First world problems, I know . . . but that stick is somehow magical.
How much of that was in my head? I don't know if I could quantify that.
My first cue was an entry-level McDermott, 20 oz. with a 13 mm shaft. I played with that thing for several years and was happy with it.
Then I bought my first Meucci, an 18.5 oz. 84-4 with something called a 'pro taper' shaft. Whatever. It immediately felt better in my hands, and I shot a little better, IMO. It seemed easier to produce draw (the only english I knew how to shoot at the time), and somehow more accurate.
These days I know that I shoot more precisely with a shaft that's somewhere between 12.25 and 12.75mm. The thinner shaft seems to allow me to aim more precisely than something fatter. My favorite cue has a 12.5 mm shaft, and I'm just more accurate all around with it than the few cues I have that have 13 mm shafts. Now, for most shots there's little difference; it's only when I need very precise aim that it's noticeable to me. Things like kick shots, longer caroms, offset combos, and very high-angle cut shots. Those shots just seem to be easier with a thinner shaft. YMMV.
As for magical cues, I only have one. It's a Meucci HP-3 that I won off a guy, brand-new. In fact, the match itself was kind of an accident, or magical. Won't bore everyone with the whole story, but I won it from a guy that I knew was a hustler, and much better than me, but on the rubber game, he miss-shot the 6 into the corner and it rattled instead of going down. The look on his face was utter shock. I ran my two strips, dropped the 8 and walked away with that cue.
In almost 15 years of playing with that cue I won some incredible games, had some ridiculous runs, made some magical shots. Like a fool I sold it about 8 years ago I think when I was having money problems.
Crazy thing was, the buddy I sold it to suddenly became a better shooter with it. His average win total went up about 20% year-to-year. He went from averaging just under one 8-ball run out per session to almost 6. He never took a lesson or got in more practice time.
I got lucky and bought it back from him last year. My game has improved since I started playing it again, and I've semi-retired my newest Peach, sold my Predator, and traded away a Joss.
The only problem is that the stick is old; I'm scared I'll accidentally break it somehow. First world problems, I know . . . but that stick is somehow magical.
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a new one yes
twice happened
my 14 ounce 1 piece spalted maple butt made by starkey to the carom specs i provided
game improved, its the only cue i use
my david brainard cues directly titleist conversion, 60 inch, heavy hitter, it just fit me perfect for pool and its the only pool cue i use and my game is improving
i wouldnt say any cue will be magic, but finding that ONE that perfectly feel right for you is key
twice happened
my 14 ounce 1 piece spalted maple butt made by starkey to the carom specs i provided
game improved, its the only cue i use
my david brainard cues directly titleist conversion, 60 inch, heavy hitter, it just fit me perfect for pool and its the only pool cue i use and my game is improving
i wouldnt say any cue will be magic, but finding that ONE that perfectly feel right for you is key
A new cue probably didn't change my play.
But I noticed after playing with my Chinese made Lucasi an hour later I wanted to play again. :thumbup:
But I noticed after playing with my Chinese made Lucasi an hour later I wanted to play again. :thumbup:
Yes.
Bought a new (to me) cue with 13mm shafts and struggled, went back to 12.5-12.6 and all is well again.
Bought a new (to me) cue with 13mm shafts and struggled, went back to 12.5-12.6 and all is well again.
Yes.
Had a cue from a pretty well known maker that was a noodle and I never could figure out why, but deviate from center-ball and you might as well close your eyes and spin around 3x before you shoot.
Got a diveney and the world was right again.
Had a cue from a pretty well known maker that was a noodle and I never could figure out why, but deviate from center-ball and you might as well close your eyes and spin around 3x before you shoot.
Got a diveney and the world was right again.
Yes definitely. My current cue make a big impact in my game when I first got it.
KMRUNOUT
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Without a doubt; my Lambros gives me confidence. It’s perfect for me.
Absolutely, you treat it with more care and try harder when you play with it.
Unfortunately for some, the feeling doesn't last and you return to normalcy.
Unfortunately for some, the feeling doesn't last and you return to normalcy.
The effect of new equipment has been studied closely with golfers and new putters. There IS a uptick in performance due to greater concentration/confidence but the effect doesn't last that long. Soon you go back to your normal game. We've all had that "new cue rush" and the dismay when it fades away.
Yes it improved my game. I went from a McDermott D2 to a Bob Runde 2018 and boy what a game changer for me. I bought that D2 new in 84 and that’s all I ever played with until receiving the Runde from Deanoc. Nothing against McDermott, but Bob Runde Is just in a whole different class.
A couple have, I'd say my current one has helped me play better actually. Had a cue from Mason Hougland that was the best playing cue I've ever owned.
Had a old schon that I really played well with as well.
Biggest one that made a difference was the varney death threat cue. Not sure why I sold that jump/break, as I broke so good with it and jumped above average.
Different weights, different balance points, different tapers, different tips will all change how you play.
Honestly practice is much much more important that any cue, (or a shaft) but some cues are more fun to play with than others.
Had a old schon that I really played well with as well.
Biggest one that made a difference was the varney death threat cue. Not sure why I sold that jump/break, as I broke so good with it and jumped above average.
Different weights, different balance points, different tapers, different tips will all change how you play.
Honestly practice is much much more important that any cue, (or a shaft) but some cues are more fun to play with than others.
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Sort of. It was more of the catalyst that made me do what was necessary in order to play better.
Started playing with a cheap Cuetec and took a big leap by upgrading to a Jacoby. It was a world of difference in the hit and just felt right in my hands.
If nothing else, that made me take the game much more seriously and caused me to focus more on improving my fundamentals, which in turn began building my confidence.
I still suck, I just suck a lot less than I did with the Cuetec.
Started playing with a cheap Cuetec and took a big leap by upgrading to a Jacoby. It was a world of difference in the hit and just felt right in my hands.
If nothing else, that made me take the game much more seriously and caused me to focus more on improving my fundamentals, which in turn began building my confidence.
I still suck, I just suck a lot less than I did with the Cuetec.
Something like that happened to me this week end..My wife and I saw a Chinese movie, an hour later we had to go back and see it again...
