Does anyone else have one cue for 8-ball and another cue for 9-ball? I don’t know why but I feel better shooting with an old Tad with original shaft for 8-ball and a newer McDermott with a CF shaft for 9-ball. Is that weird. (I won both matches tonight with those respective cues.)
Am I weird?
- Thread starter MrWampus
- Start date
It is weird. Don’t know anyone who does that. I have heard of a separate cue for one pocket, which is probably the most drastically different of the main 5 games (8 ball, 9 ball, 10 ball, 14.1, 1p), so that makes some sense. But 8 and 9 ball are close enough in the goal (pocket ball, get shape) that I’ve never considered it.
But, if it works for you and you get good results…no good reason to change. They are different games and if different cues work better for you, for whatever reason, roll with it
But, if it works for you and you get good results…no good reason to change. They are different games and if different cues work better for you, for whatever reason, roll with it
For some context, I have had the Tad for 40 years and MOSTLY played 8-ball with it. I bought the McDermott a few years ago with the thought of entering the twenty-first century and I like it ok but it does not have the feel and feedback of the Tad. Still, I seem to play 9-ball better with the new one.
Years ago I used to play 8 and 9 ball in APA leagues and used a Lucasi for 9 ball and a Meucci for 8 ball, so no I don't think it's weird to use different cues for the different games.
I then switched to McDermott's and switch between one of 6 different playing cues from time to time..
I then switched to McDermott's and switch between one of 6 different playing cues from time to time..
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Ultimately it doesn't matter, however consider whether switching between cues could actually be hindering you?
Perhaps your consistency would improve even more by sticking to the same cue for both games and the reason you feel better with your current setup is purely psychological?
There aren't many (if any) shots that come up in 9-Ball that couldn't come up in 8-Ball, so it isn't the most logical decision to switch, but if it works for you and you're a happy amateur, rather than an aspiring pro then it probably doesn't matter!
Perhaps your consistency would improve even more by sticking to the same cue for both games and the reason you feel better with your current setup is purely psychological?
There aren't many (if any) shots that come up in 9-Ball that couldn't come up in 8-Ball, so it isn't the most logical decision to switch, but if it works for you and you're a happy amateur, rather than an aspiring pro then it probably doesn't matter!
Weird or not is probably not for me to say.
I do believe that anyone that switches cues all the time will never get the most out of their game. Even if is just switching between two different cues. If that is okay with the indidual, then far be it from me to say any different.
I do believe that anyone that switches cues all the time will never get the most out of their game. Even if is just switching between two different cues. If that is okay with the indidual, then far be it from me to say any different.
yea
You gotta be joking.Eh not really, it's whatever you're comfortable with. If my back is crap on a particular day I'll use a cue with a different balance point. Depends on which of my 30 stances I have to resort to.
Badpenguin
Well-known member
If you win that way, proof is in the pudding.
People use a separate break, playing, and jump cues, I don't see it as that far from those. Use the right cue for the occasion.
Some day maybe pool players will have caddies that hand them one cue for draw shots, one cue for shooting over object balls, and so on. You are probably the trend setter.
I have also seen players changing cues or cue parts every 2 weeks in a constant treasure hunt to find that just-right hit. They obviously have too much money. I have never seen their games improve.
People use a separate break, playing, and jump cues, I don't see it as that far from those. Use the right cue for the occasion.
Some day maybe pool players will have caddies that hand them one cue for draw shots, one cue for shooting over object balls, and so on. You are probably the trend setter.
I have also seen players changing cues or cue parts every 2 weeks in a constant treasure hunt to find that just-right hit. They obviously have too much money. I have never seen their games improve.
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
Why would I be joking? I don't really have 30 stances, more like 3, but if I'm forced to be more upright I prefer a different balance point. It's just on those days I should have stayed in bed.
Si
I have two different cues that I have been using for two different 8-ball leagues for several months now. The first league is a BCA style league at a well kept pool hall. The equipment is Diamond 7-footers with Simonis cloth. The other league is a bank-the-eight bar league, played on less well kept Valleys with much heavier and slower cloth. The bar league also does not allow any intentional safety shots. (Yeah, yeah, I know, but the locals have been playing that game for the past 70 years or more, and they're not about to change now.)
The cues have similar hits, the same overall length, and low deflection maple shafts. However, they are 1.5 ounces different in weight. I use my 18 ounce Meucci for the BCA style league because it matches up well with the fast equipment. It also gives me a bit more finesse when playing a safe where the cue ball and blocking ball are very close together near a rail. I use my 19.5 ounce Dale Perry when playing on the bar league because it gives me a little more oomph without slamming the cue ball when needing to move it multiple rails for position. (The bar players seem to be less likely to bitch when I miss and the cue ball "lucks" into a tough leave for my opponent if it goes two or three rails before coming to rest. Oh, they still complain, but usually it's more of a whine about my luck rather than an accusation about my tactics.)
Aside from the benefits mentioned above, I also feel like I can stay closer to a single uniform stroke across varying equipment by matching the cue weight to the speed of the table. This part might be all in my head, but I have seen some improvement in my stats since I started using the two cues. Maybe there's something to it or maybe it's just the placebo effect. Either way it's working for me so I guess I'll keep doing it.
The cues have similar hits, the same overall length, and low deflection maple shafts. However, they are 1.5 ounces different in weight. I use my 18 ounce Meucci for the BCA style league because it matches up well with the fast equipment. It also gives me a bit more finesse when playing a safe where the cue ball and blocking ball are very close together near a rail. I use my 19.5 ounce Dale Perry when playing on the bar league because it gives me a little more oomph without slamming the cue ball when needing to move it multiple rails for position. (The bar players seem to be less likely to bitch when I miss and the cue ball "lucks" into a tough leave for my opponent if it goes two or three rails before coming to rest. Oh, they still complain, but usually it's more of a whine about my luck rather than an accusation about my tactics.)
Aside from the benefits mentioned above, I also feel like I can stay closer to a single uniform stroke across varying equipment by matching the cue weight to the speed of the table. This part might be all in my head, but I have seen some improvement in my stats since I started using the two cues. Maybe there's something to it or maybe it's just the placebo effect. Either way it's working for me so I guess I'll keep doing it.
I have a lot of cues and only use one.
Weirdo who started this thread and I balance the world out.
What the hell's wrong with the rest of you?
Weirdo who started this thread and I balance the world out.
What the hell's wrong with the rest of you?