Jeff,
I agree with your comment about importance of the balance point, and that it makes a bit of a difference depending on the game and table size. I also tend to agree with each of your balance point comments.
Will
I've asked lots and lots of players about their preferences with balance points in cues. What I've experienced from conversation is:
Most players have no idea why they like certain cues compared to other cues, other than total weight, length and type tip.
IMO, a player has to be very, very in tune with their cue to truly play at "their" peak ability.
As I mentioned above, I've ask many people and most didn't really have a preference or just gave a guess as in, "somewhere in the x range".
I've talked to several elite players about this very topic (and cue length as well) and among the list is SVB.
SVB told me word-for-word: " I like weight up front to begin with because if there isn't a forward weight then the cue will be to butt heavy with my butt extension attached".
SVB went on to say: "I think a longer bridge combined with a cue that is forward balanced and longer as a whole gives a better chance of accuracy on certain shots but, doesn't take accuracy away from the other shots. I don't really know how to explain it. That's just what I like."
Other pros and several other higher-ranking amateurs have told me they feel very similar.
To each their own but, like Will and SVB (and other top guns) I feel that the balance point can make a difference in certain shots while playing certain games on different tables.
When two players are extremely close in skill, well, that's when even the smallest of differences can be HUGE and mean a win or loss.
On the other hand, if two players are mismatched by a large amount, well, the differences will not change the outcome in any way.
I guess it depends on what level you play at compared to your opponent's if the "small" things make a difference or not.
Jeff
That's all that should matter.
That's all that should matter.