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He probably got so confused he took up bowling.
Haha, the funny part about that is that I got started in this league by meeting a guy in a social bowling league who invited me. But yeah, I was getting pretty confused for a while.
Ok, so update. I have purchased a cue! I want to thank everybody once again for all the input. I think I have made a good decision. I embraced what a lot of people said to stay cheap on this. And ultimately I ended up agreeing because honestly, it's not my budget that is really holding me back, more that I really can't see forking 600 dollars on something when I don't know what I'm getting for that money. I need to play more and handle more cues. So I think getting myself as much exposure is best and that means I can't be shelling several hundred on each cue.
I got alerted to a Mcdermott G401 on Facebook for 175. Talked to the guy and he seemed over eager to explain every tiny mark on the cue, so I feel confident that he's not selling me something warped or bad. It's a 12.3 mm tip with the original Navigator black tip on it (don't know hardness). A little small in diameter for what I was trying to go but I'm sure I can learn it and I'll be grateful for the easier english. And a 3/8 x10 joint.
It should show up today and I'm excited. My tip tool, cloth, and everything else with the exception of the bag are already here waiting.
I'm also still pursuing the Lucasi butt on facebook (asked to drop the price), and the 40 dollar purex (hasn't replied). I figure for a cheap price I can get myself 2 more cues to play around with and have as backups (maybe turn the lucasi into a breaker). This gives me the most exposure to the lowest price. Also, it makes it to where I didn't invest full price into any of them and brings my resale % ratio higher.
I'll also start asking the other teams we play if I can take some practice shots with their cues to further figure it all out.
My goal is to finish out the season, figure out where I land. I found a pool hall 15 minutes away that does free table time from 12-2 which I can make about 1 or 2 times a week. With some practice and a cue that I put time in with where I know my shots a lot better, I think I'll climb. If I can accomplish that then I think in a year or 2 I might look to make a stronger investment.
Definitely need the time in though. Played a 6 this week and went 2-0 on him to start by having to make about 10 bank shots/kicks. (both 8 ball shots included) (so far only guy I've seen in the league that once he gets behind a ball or two and doesn't have a great shot switches into safety only mode) I was happy that I had decided to watch a bunch of youtube videos on kicks and banks that week haha. But then I just choked. Missed about 7 of the easiest, most frustrating misses ever to just hand him 3 straight games. Next two games were better but he was able to take them as well.
All in all though, I still felt ok. I had to remember that I played the whole match without a draw shot as an option which is hard on me as somebody who probably relies on draw shots too much. Next week though, that won't be a problem. :thumbup: