9 Ball Cue etc

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I just started playing on a 9 ball table and it quickly became obvious that as much as I love my snooker cue its not the best tool for the Job! I play with about an 11mm tip and the cue has had a few problems with the ferrel falling off before.

I need to buy a playing cue and a break cue, I am going to hold off on the jump cue as I have just been told that they may be banned soon.

I'm not interested in all the in lays, diamonds and all that rubbish, but I do want to buy top cues. WHat do the Pros play with and why? I keep hearing about the Predator shafts, why are these so good? I am a little worried about deflection as I have grown up playing snooker and I'm used to playing with lots of deflection. If I switch to a cue with no deflection it might become an issue?

As for break cue, don't really know much about this, I guess the predator break cue and the sledge hammer have caught my attention.

I know that I'm not going to chose a cue without playing with it but I'm interested to hear what all you 9 ball players reccomend so I can narrow the search.

Cheers

Craig
 
well it's up to you...i mean if you're worried about the pred shaft then i suggest you just buy a cue, and then try a pred shaft from someone and if you like it buy a shaft for the cue...as for the BK, try it for yourself....but IMO it's over priced for a break cue. I tried it myself played with it too and there's really nothing special about it. THere's nothing i can't do without it with a sneaky pete dufferin cue if you know wut i mean. Well i play with a falcon and falcons comes with a 13mm shaft, and so does most cues out there..i wouldn't think it would take you some time to get used to the thickness but you can always taper it down to your preference.
 
I still haven't quite got my head around this, buy a cue and then buy a shaft business! Whats the point in buying a cue if your only got to use half lol!

Why can't I just buy one that does the job!

The shaft maybe an issue, the problem is there's not really anywhere in Sydney that sells them and the UK is not much better. I really need somewhere where I can go and have a bash in the shop, don't think I could just order one from the internet!

I read Steve davis had a special cude made, basically a snooker cue with a fatter shaft and tip, about 13 or 14mm I think.

I'll probably have to wait until I go to the US next.

Anyone swear by the predator kit, or a particular break cue that genuinly helps performance and is not all marketing rubbish?

Cheers

Craig
 
If you are use to playing snooker, I suggest starting with a 12.25 or 12.5 mm shaft. There is an adjustment but you will adapt
according to your practice time. If you are still going to use your snooker cue, don't go with a predator. It would cause to much confusion switching back and forth.
 
Believe it or not, Davis plays with an 11mm tip! It is a John Parris custom, pretty much just a heavier, fatter snooker cue.
 
Number1 said:
I just started playing on a 9 ball table and it quickly became obvious that as much as I love my snooker cue its not the best tool for the Job! I play with about an 11mm tip and the cue has had a few problems with the ferrel falling off before.

I need to buy a playing cue and a break cue, I am going to hold off on the jump cue as I have just been told that they may be banned soon.

I'm not interested in all the in lays, diamonds and all that rubbish, but I do want to buy top cues. WHat do the Pros play with and why? I keep hearing about the Predator shafts, why are these so good? I am a little worried about deflection as I have grown up playing snooker and I'm used to playing with lots of deflection. If I switch to a cue with no deflection it might become an issue?

As for break cue, don't really know much about this, I guess the predator break cue and the sledge hammer have caught my attention.

I know that I'm not going to chose a cue without playing with it but I'm interested to hear what all you 9 ball players reccomend so I can narrow the search.

Cheers

Craig
Click to expand...

Hey Craig,

I was in a very similar situation to you about a year ago. I didn't want to buy a pricey 9 ball cue sight unseen over the net, especially since I had only played with constantly tapered snooker cues previously and wasn't even sure if I would like a pro tapered beast. I was considering getting a whole predator cue, since I wanted to have a go at the shaft and didn't want the hassle of matching one to a butt. However I wan't real sure I could work with a pro taper.

So to try and remedy the situation I went and obtained a plain Dufferin "Phantom" sneaky pete. Two piece wood to wood join, 12.75mm shaft, pro taper, 18 ounces. Dirt cheap for AU$80, and the kinda cue you don't have to worry about someone flogging.

The idea was I would try the feel of the 9ball cue with the Duff then go to a more expensive one. Well a year later into the "trial" and I love the Duff so much I wouldn't part with it, I play with it all the time as well as break with it. Thinking of getting a second one in case something happens to mine.

If you want to go to a nine ball cue and don't necessarily want a super low deflection cue, I would highly recommend the Phantom. I'm not saying they have unusually high deflection, they are just a standard cue that does nothing to minimise it like preditors, etc.

I've seen them occasionally in rebel sports and some other small stores, but I got mine at heron and smith in top ryde shops (watch out they have ripoff prices).

BTW, where do you play on the 9 foot tables? Just asking cause I only know of the one at castle hill. I usually play on bar boxes at the Family Inn or Winston Hills hotel.

Cheers - John.

PS Sorry for calling an American style pool cue a 9ball cue, but in Australia thats pretty much the only name they get referred to as, and just saying pool cue refers to a snooker cue.
 
my pool cues ranges from 11 to 12 mm...my favorite cues are in the 11 - 11.5 mm tip....
 
You are obviously a much better player than I am from reading your posts and therefore I find it hard to offer an opinion as to which cue would suit you. All I can say is that Schon makes an incredible cue with a great hit. I believe a low end STL1 for example goes for around $400. Very plain jane but the hit is amazing. A lot of top pro's play with Schon and understandably so. I am in the process right now of purchasing a plain jane cue from Bryan Mordt(BCM cues) that goes for $300. It is a beautiful cue without all the intricate artwork. You can see examples of his work in the cue gallery. Best of luck with your decision.

Regards,
Koop
 
Go custom

Nobody said anything about break cues!! For your break cue I would definetely find a custom cue maker to build you a jump/break cue. I have tried all the commercial break cues and didn't find any of them more than about 5% better for breaking than a standard cue. I would recommend going to a custom cuemaker and getting a jump break built for you. I had a real nice falcon j/b that i was using for a while that I thought was the best break cue ever, then i was invited to a little gambling match at my local custom cuemakers house. He builds break cues that i am sure ad about 15-20% to my break. After trying one there i had to order one. It's also nice to have a jump cue until they are banned so you might as well just get a 3 piece break cue. Mine is gonna be pretty plain jane Maple Butt, no wrap, Cocobolo where the wrap would be, and a maple forearm with 4 black ebony points. This cue is costing me about $25 more that i would have paid for a Predator BK and it hits 10X nicer and gives me a powerful break. I need all the help i can get on the break. Even if you found that you couldn't play with a '9-ball cue' i would still recommend getting at least a break cue and playing with your snooker cue.

Just my 2¢
 
DDKoop said:
I believe a low end STL1 for example goes for around $400.
Click to expand...

I've been considering buying myself a new cue recently, Schon is on the top of my list. So I have been looking at thier website often as of late to shop around. The STL1 they have listed is priced there at $595, Link here . I think that is the lowest priced cue they have there.

They are nice cues, a friend had one that I shot with a couple times and I remember really liking the way it felt.
I got my eye on this one: Click
I am a huge sucker for the birdseye maple wood, I dont know why. It just really nice looking to me... *shrug*
 
Gideon said:
I've been considering buying myself a new cue recently, Schon is on the top of my list. So I have been looking at thier website often as of late to shop around. The STL1 they have listed is priced there at $595, Link here . I think that is the lowest priced cue they have there.

They are nice cues, a friend had one that I shot with a couple times and I remember really liking the way it felt.
I got my eye on this one: Click
I am a huge sucker for the birdseye maple wood, I dont know why. It just really nice looking to me... *shrug*
Click to expand...

Hey Gideon,

Check out EBay and do a search on "schon cue". I have seen brand new STL1's going for around $400. There are really some great buys out there. Just make sure the seller has great feedback. I usually do a search on "cue" and sort from highest price down. Even though I can't afford most of them I still like to look. :)

Regards,
Koop
 
I was in a very similar situation to you about a year ago. I didn't want to buy a pricey 9 ball cue sight unseen over the net, especially since I had only played with constantly tapered snooker cues previously and wasn't even sure if I would like a pro tapered beast. I was considering getting a whole predator cue, since I wanted to have a go at the shaft and didn't want the hassle of matching one to a butt. However I wan't real sure I could work with a pro taper.

So to try and remedy the situation I went and obtained a plain Dufferin "Phantom" sneaky pete. Two piece wood to wood join, 12.75mm shaft, pro taper, 18 ounces. Dirt cheap for AU$80, and the kinda cue you don't have to worry about someone flogging.

The idea was I would try the feel of the 9ball cue with the Duff then go to a more expensive one. Well a year later into the "trial" and I love the Duff so much I wouldn't part with it, I play with it all the time as well as break with it. Thinking of getting a second one in case something happens to mine.

If you want to go to a nine ball cue and don't necessarily want a super low deflection cue, I would highly recommend the Phantom. I'm not saying they have unusually high deflection, they are just a standard cue that does nothing to minimise it like preditors, etc.

I've seen them occasionally in rebel sports and some other small stores, but I got mine at heron and smith in top ryde shops (watch out they have ripoff prices).

BTW, where do you play on the 9 foot tables? Just asking cause I only know of the one at castle hill. I usually play on bar boxes at the Family Inn or Winston Hills hotel.

> Cheers John,
I have just started playing at Fox studios sports bar, the closest thing I could find anywhere in Sydney. Whats castle hill like, I know its far but is it a good club?

I used to go to the family in a few times, also quite far for me.
 
number 1

I'm not interested in all the in lays, diamonds and all that rubbish, but I do want to buy top cues. WHat do the Pros play with and why? I keep hearing about the Predator shafts, why are these so good? I am a little worried about deflection as I have grown up playing snooker and I'm used to playing with lots of deflection. If I switch to a cue with no deflection it might become an issue?


I have played snooker for 25 years. When I started playing pool , I tried playing with a pool cue. Nothing. Too heavy and that 13mm tip! Couldnt get used to that either. I ended up playing with a Dufferin one piece rack cue with a 11mm tip/ 18oz. Snooker taper.
Perfect.
The problem with Predator cues for snooker players is the minimal deflection. When I play with side the ball and the ball doesnt deflect as much as I expect it to do, I dont know where to aim. You have to learn all over again.

Stick with 11mm and 18oz with a taper.

Gabber
 
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