A word to the wise

jay helfert

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
Gold Member
Silver Member
I often see players setting their cue on the end rail when racking the balls. That is, the butt end is resting up on the rail and the shaft is on the table. This is a big NO NO in my mind. And I know you see pros doing this too. DON'T!

It is so easy for something (like your arm) to jar the cue slightly and cause it to roll off the side of the table. Once it starts rolling, it's hard to stop. Even catching it is not a guarantee the shaft won't get nicked. And if it rolls off the side of the table, nicks on the shaft as it falls are a near certainty. The side rail will get your shaft on the way down.

Why not just set the entire cue on the bed of the table? It ain't going anywhere then. Maybe that just makes too much sense and doesn't look as cool. When I see players doing this, I want to scream at them, "You Frickin' Fool!" Once it happens and the shaft gets nicked, they usually quit doing this. It doesn't take much to get your cue rolling. Just a little nudge and it's headed for the side rail.
 
Good tip Jay !

jay helfert said:
I often see players setting their cue on the end rail when racking the balls. That is, the butt end is resting up on the rail and the shaft is on the table. This is a big NO NO in my mind. And I know you see pros doing this too. DON'T!

It is so easy for something (like your arm) to jar the cue slightly and cause it to roll off the side of the table. Once it starts rolling, it's hard to stop. Even catching it is not a guarantee the shaft won't get nicked. And if it rolls off the side of the table, nicks on the shaft as it falls are a near certainty. The side rail will get your shaft on the way down.

Why not just set the entire cue on the bed of the table? It ain't going anywhere then. Maybe that just makes too much sense and doesn't look as cool. When I see players doing this, I want to scream at them, "You Frickin' Fool!" Once it happens and the shaft gets nicked, they usually quit doing this. It doesn't take much to get your cue rolling. Just a little nudge and it's headed for the side rail.
Click to expand...

Just to add a little to your good advice, if your laying your stick any where,it usually means you are racking (=losing) If thats the case, the optimum method for cue care, is to unjoint the MFer, put it carefully in your case, and get the hell out of there.

Dick
 
I have seen people lean it against the table next to them. One move of the elbow and it rides the rail to the floor, usually hitting the pocket corner (which is at times medal) on the way down. Another thing (which put a couple of nicks in my own shaft before) is leaning a cue against the back of a chair. Someone sits forcefully in it, and your cue bounces off the support.

Some good advice Jay, that can easily (and lazily) be forgotten.
 
I started using the Helfert technique for another reason ... those people who want to break the balls 1/2 millisecond after you lift the rack can no longer be so rude, they have to wait for you to remove your cue from the table.

Dave
 
The best part about laying the stick on the table is that they can't break the balls in your face the second you are done racking. You can rack, walk away from the end of the table and grab your stick off the table as you are walking to your chair.
 
JAy,
I have heard this from a few people, I however disagree, i put the cue
all the way to the one side so the bumper is on the top of the pocket,
so it can't roll off the table, this also eliminates excess chalk and what
not getting on the shaft of my cue
 
i see this all the time and cant understand it. i ALWAYS lay mine on the bed of the table right next to my beer.:eek: :eek:
 
Luxury said:
The best part about laying the stick on the table is that they can't break the balls in your face the second you are done racking. You can rack, walk away from the end of the table and grab your stick off the table as you are walking to your chair.
Click to expand...
Except for those people, one of whom I've seen, who break without waiting for you to get your stick off the table. I suppose that's a foul.
 
Bob Jewett said:
Except for those people, one of whom I've seen, who break without waiting for you to get your stick off the table. I suppose that's a foul.
Click to expand...

And most likely an assault charge or two. :D
 
Thanks for the advice Jay! If I may add to your advice giving thread. I see MANY people place their cues in the cases with the shafts hanging out of the top of the cases (the butt and shaft jointed together.) I saw a person have their cues this way once, put the case down, leaning up against a railing and someone accidentally knocked over the case. Both cues (break and playing cue) snapped in half. Worse part was that is snapped the pin and stripped out the butt's joint. Guy lost both cues during a tournament.

Everytime I see people do this I cringed at the thought of what may happen.
 
Great tip, Jay, however, I am one of "those". If you're playing on dirty equipment (which is most of the time), laying it flat get the wrap/handle dirty, which I can't stand (not to mention the shaft). Clean equipment like tournament condition I always try to lay the cue flat as you suggest, but I'm kind of used to laying the butt on the rail. Does that make me a bad person? :confused: :o :D.

Thanks for the tip.

Dave
 
GG11 said:
Thanks for the advice Jay! If I may add to your advice giving thread. I see MANY people place their cues in the cases with the shafts hanging out of the top of the cases (the butt and shaft jointed together.) I saw a person have their cues this way once, put the case down, leaning up against a railing and someone accidentally knocked over the case. Both cues (break and playing cue) snapped in half. Worse part was that is snapped the pin and stripped out the butt's joint. Guy lost both cues during a tournament.

Everytime I see people do this I cringed at the thought of what may happen.
Click to expand...

I once saw a guy put his sticks in his case this way, pick it up and pull the strap over his shoulder, take two steps and.......


I guess all I have to say is ceiling fan and the imagery pretty much builds itself.
 
Flagpole method

Oh, so sticking the butt of your stick into the corner pocket and having your stick stand up like a flagpole isn't the way to go while racking??!!! :eek:

I actually watched some banger do this once, couldn't believe it..
 
Thanks Jay. I used to live in the Riverside area and I just moved to West Covina 2 weeks ago. I hear so much about you and I've been meaning to meet you but I'm a student and can't seem to find the time. On memorial day weekend I thought I would get my chance at Danny K's but I had to make a last minute trip up North to San Fran. Hopefully I'll see you someday soon since I'm closer to LA now.
 
Why not just set the entire cue on the bed of the table?

I always do this. Much safer.
 
DaveK said:
I started using the Helfert technique for another reason ... those people who want to break the balls 1/2 millisecond after you lift the rack can no longer be so rude, they have to wait for you to remove your cue from the table.

Dave
Click to expand...

That is why I've done it that way for years. Self preservation. Jay's logic is just further motivation.
 
GG11 said:
Thanks for the advice Jay! If I may add to your advice giving thread. I see MANY people place their cues in the cases with the shafts hanging out of the top of the cases (the butt and shaft jointed together.) I saw a person have their cues this way once, put the case down, leaning up against a railing and someone accidentally knocked over the case. Both cues (break and playing cue) snapped in half. Worse part was that is snapped the pin and stripped out the butt's joint. Guy lost both cues during a tournament.

Everytime I see people do this I cringed at the thought of what may happen.
Click to expand...

I keep my cues that way, BUT I have a small bungee cord with which I secure the case to something stable like a railing.
 
selftaut said:
OK Jay, good pointer.

But now that you have too much time on your hands,

FINISH THE BOOK!!!! :)
Click to expand...
Yeah! Jay's book on Shanelle should be a best seller! I wonder what chapter Jay is up to now? ;)
 
I think the smartest thing to do when you're racking is to lay your entire cue on the bed of the table as you suggest and place it diagonally across the table so the other player doesn't shoot until you take your cue off the table. This gives you a chance to get out of the way before the cue ball gets airborne as some players have a tendancy to do.
 
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