Curious as to why no one plays with/without an extension dependent on the shot.

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newcuer

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I just started trying to play with an extension added to my cue a week or so ago. I know the pros and cons of this have obviously been discussed before.

The one consuming thought I do have is why doesn't anyone ever play with/without the extension dependent on the shot? Especially on bar boxes where the type of shots seem varied.

On one shot you are trying to position your cue ball very precisely on a very short shot and the next shot might be a 5 foot follow shot.

I think most extensions are easily put on or put off quickly. In golf, several different clubs are used, so why not in pool have more of a selection dependent on the shot?
 
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For a lot of cues, purpose built extensions that screw into the bottom don’t work with their cues. At the minimum, it means changing out the bolt and then spending hundreds of dollars on something that adds either 3, 6, or maybe 12 inches.

At that point, most people either don’t shoot the shot or they play opposite handed. That’s how they grew up playing so it’s not been a consideration.

I’d also say that it’s more on 9 footers. There’s very few shots on a bar box that really need it. Basically a safety like the below in 8 ball where you are solids.
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It's not golf. One cues suffices. But some players do bring specialty cues. No rules.. bring whatever is allowed to be carried in.
Me? if specialty cues helped my game I'd need a pallet full.
 
ALT_ESV said:
For a lot of cues, purpose built extensions that screw into the bottom don’t work with their cues. At the minimum, it means changing out the bolt and then spending hundreds of dollars on something that adds either 3, 6, or maybe 12 inches.

At that point, most people either don’t shoot the shot or they play opposite handed. That’s how they grew up playing so it’s not been a consideration.

I’d also say that it’s more on 9 footers. There’s very few shots on a bar box that really need it. Basically a safety like the below in 8 ball where you are solids. View attachment 759714
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I'll go lefty for a lot of situations though I find enough "opposite handers" that require a touch or stroke that the weak hand can't reliably produce.
 
Just to clarify, I am discussing using an extension for purposes other than reaching a shot. For instance, using it because you believe it makes certain shots easier. Like a longer shot. (I think a couple of the responses in this thread are about using one to help reach a shot.)
 
newcuer said:
I just started trying to play with an extension added to my cue a week or so ago. I know the pros and cons of this have obviously been discussed before.

The one consuming thought I do have is why doesn't anyone ever play with/without the extension dependent on the shot? Especially on bar boxes where the type of shots seem varied.

On one shot you are trying to position your cue ball very precisely on a very short shot and the next shot might be a 5 foot follow shot.

I think most extensions are easily put on or put off quickly. In golf, several different clubs are used, so why not in pool have more of a selection dependent on the shot?
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A lot of players do not have the extension on all the time. I use a 30" butt that has a screw-in extension and only use it when I need to reach a far shot. 90% of players play that way that have extensions. You may be going by a very small sample if you think people use it all the time.
 
hang-the-9 said:
A lot of players do not have the extension on all the time. I use a 30" butt that has a screw-in extension and only use it when I need to reach a far shot. 90% of players play that way that have extensions. You may be going by a very small sample if you think people use it all the time.
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True. I guess this question is targeting a pretty small target audience.
 
Ok I’ll keep it civil.
Newcuer. This is why you aren’t getting responses you are looking for. You are asking about using multiple different extensions.

For 1) it’s not practical. Who wants to haul around a bucket of cue extensions? Most pool players prefer traveling with just one case.

2) it’s not practical. Most rule books and tournaments want you to shoot normal shots in 30seconds or less. Give or take. How are you going to take off an end extension, add a mid one, and take your shot in 30 seconds?

3) it’s not practical. If not in a bucket are you going to have a tool belt full of them? That could scratch the table

4)it’s not practical. In golf you shoot 100 times in 3+ hours. Plus you put your club away on the way to the next shot. In pool you normally shoot 100 times plus each hour and don’t put your club away until you miss, after the break, or need to jump. Last 2 don’t apply to everyone.

5)unless you are best in the hall people will laugh and make fun of you. Even if you are best in the hall they might

6) nobody will want to play you.

7) there is no difference between what you are saying and moving your shooting hand forward/back and/or shortening/lengthening your bridge and what you are saying. Unless you need the extension for extra lengthening.

Ex: watch people breaking. A lot of people hold near the bottom of a cue to break and on harder hit shots . That’s like their 1W and 1 iron.

8)how are you going to stay focused on the game. Especially when you choose the wrong extension and have to change it up more than once on a shot?

9)if you are paying time your opponent will hate you and the hall will love you.

10)Give us one real life example of a normal shot you are better making with an extension or a bigger tip or a heavier front. Not a hypothetical one. Once you can aim correctly you don’t need to change any of that to make shots easier.

But you do you Newcuer. If that’s what keeps you interested go for it. I could see a shaft change being beneficial on some shots. Not sure about extensions though. Once you have all those extensions ready to go I think I’d pay to see you play shooter Hans a few sets. Pretty sure he’s the one that can’t stand that super slow play.
 
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I use my extension playin 9ball on the 9'

I take my extension off playing on the 7'

I don't use my extension playing one pocket on the 9' (unless it comes up that i need it).

it's a shot specific situation. but it doesn't vary as much as one may think. and that's why we adjust our playing hand and bridge hand in order to produce different strokes for different shots.
 
They do. Not on every shot, but I've seen pros add an extension for particular shots - like when bridging an awkward distance from the rail and you want more room on your cue, or when the cue ball is frozen to the rail and you want a little more weight on the cue. Oscar just did this in a tourney a week or so ago and the commentators recognized it.

It's not as uncommon as you think.

-td
 
Why not put a universal quick release pin in the butt of most cues, then you could buy a generic, black, brown, or ? 3 , 6, 9 inch extension maybe even a telescopic one, that goes from 3 inches to 2 feet. The whole set would be under 200 dollars. If you have skids of money, have the cue maker make them for 3 thousand. to match each of your 40 playing cues.
I am thinking of converting a mechanics roll away tool box, to take to tournaments, that way I can carry sets of balls , tip lathe, multiple chalks, league patches, billiard shoes, vests, hats, reading information, a computer with an app , so I can do a VR pre shot , the possibilities are endless, where's that guy that always spins off into the ether, I'm sure he has a bazillion great ideas. Maybe a billiard helicopter. Yeah , billiard helicopter, that's the ticket.
If you give him a piece of it , maybe Bob Jewett will let you use the name , Jewetts , Cue It's.
I will certainly let you use Collector's Connector's, for a small fee.
 
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Texas3cushion said:
I use my extension playin 9ball on the 9'

I take my extension off playing on the 7'

I don't use my extension playing one pocket on the 9' (unless it comes up that i need it).

it's a shot specific situation. but it doesn't vary as much as one may think. and that's why we adjust our playing hand and bridge hand in order to produce different strokes for different shots.
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What weight is you cue and extension?
 
I am not sure if my answer will really help as I am not sure I totally understand what you are asking.

That said...

I do not have an extension on my 18oz playing cue at 58 inches long. But as a player with mobility issues, I decided when I started to become competent using a mechanical bridge for shots my physical limitations prevent me reaching with comfort. I carry my own bridge with three interchangeable heads.

But I cannot help but emphasize any shot you play usually has two goals. Sinking your object ball and maneuvering the cue ball into a position you can make the next shot.

As long as you can do that in a timely manner and not hold up play for ages, no one really cares if you are using an extension or a mechanic al bridge. Just determine your goal, line up the shot and make it!
 
golfers play with different clubs but most of them will have the same swing weight. so changing only affects the loft.

if you want, change to a longer cue for shots but keep the balance the same and weight the same.

other wise you shoot one shot with one cue and add an extension or some other gimmick and the whole cue is changed for that next shot and you now have to adjust speed for something new to you for that moment.
 
Whatever floats your boat but don’t start relying on crutches(pun intended), put in the work
 
I think the closest to what you are describing (the golf bag analogy) would be in Artistic Pool. I rarely follow that discipline of cue-sports, but I do believe they have several cues (like a golfer) and will use the appropriate one for the shot.

In regular pool, it's simply not needed. The same stick is good for the entire range of shots.

Regular pool does have it for break and jump shots. One could argue for break shots, the regular playing cue is just as good.

For games without a break, such as one-pocket, the entire game is played with a single cue.
 
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