Are Valley tables worth the shaft abuse?

[Donny Lutz]

Ripped pants!

Never dinged a shaft. Have ripped several pairs of pants on the corners though. Give me a Diamond every time.

Lyn

I had that experience, too! My pockets would catch on the corners.

I also didn't like the black marks, though they came off easily.

But I played many thousands of games on Valley tables in the '70s-'80s, and acquired dings only early on when I drank too much.

 

[JC]

Tables don't nick shafts, players do.

I gather you are intentionally stroking the cue on the table? I say don't do it. Ever.

I never stroke my cue on the rail. It is always in my bridge hand. I never let the shaft physically contact anything on the table. IMHO stroking the shaft on the table itself is an abuse of the equipment. I am always surprised to see experienced players do it. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since it is so common, but I still am.

Learn to use your bridge hand and never the rail. I have seen people put some pretty spectacular marks, nicks and even gouges in their shaft because of stroking it on the rail. And they are surprised by this?

The shafts on my primary player are probably pushing something in the neighborhood of 35 years old. I have had them since 1985 and they are pretty ding/dent free. I have played on a lot of Valley bar tables with them over the years.



I say just don't do it. Don't touch your cue to the table.


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Well that will keep the shaft clean for sure but what about your game? Bridging on the rail is a fundamental skill essential for high level play.

JC

 

[JC]

I had that experience, too! My pockets would catch on the corners.

I also didn't like the black marks, though they came off easily.

But I played many thousands of games on Valley tables in the '70s-'80s, and acquired dings only early on when I drank too much.

Good point Donny,

Wife: Were you drinking tonight?
Me: Yes, but how do you know?
Wife: I can tell by how your shaft feels.

JC

 

[cardiac kid]

I had that experience, too! My pockets would catch on the corners.

I also didn't like the black marks, though they came off easily.

But I played many thousands of games on Valley tables in the '70s-'80s, and acquired dings only early on when I drank too much.

There is only one Diamond 7' table in Rochester. All the bars and our pool room have Valley's. Don't EVER remember dinging a shaft playing on a table. Do remember my cue being knocked over by other players. Like you, I've probably played thousands of games on Valleys without a cue problem. Come to think of it, it is the pants pockets that rip!

Glad SBE is coming soon so Jude at Shaft Master can do his magic again.

Lyn

 

[Stones]

Years ago, down in Houston, I was playing a weekly tourney at one of the local dives.

Had a shot come up where I had to bridge over one of the pocket irons.

After I hit the shot, I looked down and there was something on the table that looked like a piece of curly spaghetti about 6 inches long.

It was a strip of wood which had peeled off of my shaft from shooting across the pocket iron!

After that, I always used a full hand bridge when shooting near the pockets.


Stones

 

[TheNewSharkster]

Well that will keep the shaft clean for sure but what about your game? Bridging on the rail is a fundamental skill essential for high level play.

JC

Can you explain a situation where bridging on the rail is necessary?

 

[JC]

Can you explain a situation where bridging on the rail is necessary?

Nothing is "necessary". Unless of course you would like to play your best. Of course you can always accomplish things in many ways. Ever see Jessie Allred shoot one handed? He doesn't need any bridge at all. Does that mean he's playing his very best? I almost can't respond to someone saying a rail bridge isn't "necessary". Please show me a pro match where they don't lay their shaft on the table. How silly! Bang away.

JC

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

I seldom ding a shaft on a Valley. Altho, I am conscience of what the metal guards can do to you.

I've probably put more dings in a shaft from hitting the lights than anything.

Find yourself a good sneaky or bar cue. Put a half decent shaft on it and use that one for league play. Break with it and play with it. I have one that I made a break shaft for. I break and switch shafts.

Lots of ways to skin a cat Bud.

Keep the good ones for the hall.