Break cues-a discussion-comments welcome

[td873]

Here is another potential benefit of break cues: due to technological improvements, the "new" generation of break cues may impart more power and have a bigger sweet spot so slight mis-hits still result in good breaks. Even mediocre players may execute a more "powerful" break - not because the stick makes them better per se - but because the cue ball hits the rack more squarely even where they don't hit the cue ball better/faster/etc. Of course, this assumes they are aiming to hit the cue ball squarely already.

IMO, the right tools are still the right tools even if you don't know to use them properly. Sure, they won't make your game better, but it can make THAT part of your game better.

-td

 

[white1]

Thanks for all the replies-I’ve considered them all. Also wanted to clarify that my thoughts on using a break cue and running 9 ball breaks were not necessarily implied to be joined as interpreted. My thought was that a good spread should improve run out opportunity BUT the speed I play, and the majority of these alleged cplus ( 550ish players ) rarely run out SO, what would be the importantcue of really spreading the rack. I seems it would even lessen the chance of a win for me.
tnx again /all comments appreciated-i totally understand everyone who wants-to own a break cue-I just see it providing very little to no value for me. Just another cue to pack around?

 

[hang-the-9]

Thanks for all the replies-I’ve considered them all. Also wanted to clarify that my thoughts on using a break cue and running 9 ball breaks were not necessarily implied to be joined as interpreted. My thought was that a good spread should improve run out opportunity BUT the speed I play, and the majority of these alleged cplus ( 550ish players ) rarely run out SO, what would be the importantcue of really spreading the rack. I seems it would even lessen the chance of a win for me.
tnx again /all comments appreciated-i totally understand everyone who wants-to own a break cue-I just see it providing very little to no value for me. Just another cue to pack around?

If you don't care if you break with your playing cue, then there is little benefit for anyone to carry one around. A good spread on the break is maybe 10% dependent on the cue and is much more affected by how the rack was done and how good the player at breaking. And that 10% may be too much credit to the cue, it may be less. The benefit to them is lessening the chance of messing up your playing cue/tip/shaft for many players. And also to have a dedicated tool for the job as a complete set. You got your playing cue, got your break cue, got a bag, got a towel, got a tip tool, cue holder, pocket marker, all set for a night out of playing.

Basically your question was not so much about break cues but about a specific situation where a C player wants to get an open table to run out. That is not where a break cue would help someone win. Yes you can get a harder theoretical hit with a good break cue, but that does not always translate to an open table with a shot on the next ball or a run out.

You also need to get your Fargo Ratings ideas changed a bit, a 550 is well past C level. I played in some place in Florida where after seeing me play on a practice table with some players they moved me from an A+ to an A+++ where I was giving B players two games in a race to 7, and I'm a 550 Fargo. They did have some odd ranking things there though, it seemed the lower players were B and the A ratings went to like A7 or something so A+++++++ LOL

 

[philly]

I rotate four shafts on my player.
The shafts are identical right down to the length of the taper.
They all have hard pressed Triangle tips and I break with my player.
I like a hard tip so if it gets a little harder then so be it but I haven't found that to be so.
I don't smash the rack as hard as I can when I break and still get a nice spread.
I also have much better control of the cue ball using my player.
I have tried many break cues and have not noticed a difference.