Changing cues

B

Bluewolf

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am used to playing with a predator sneaky pete. I have ordered a scruggs which is a lot different. I have an inexpensive blackheart which is weighted more like the scruggs will be. I guess I thought if I played with the blackheart, then switching to the scruggs when it comes would not be as much of a transition.

Last night I had to play an apa sl7,which I have never played somebody that good and I was playing with the blackheart. An sl5 would not have made me nervous because I am used to playing them sometimes. Anyway I lost. Every game came down to the last ball or the 8. I know I was nervous but I wonder if playing with a different stick was also a factor.

Everyone said I played well but I felt that I did not have my best game, that I lost because I rushed a few shots and I wonder if playing with a cue I was not used to was a factor,at least in my head. It is not that I expect to beat a 7, but I do expect to have my best game. I was mad at myself because other than when I first started playing pool, I have never choked since that first session and that made me mad. I know a factor was I did not prepare myself before the match like I usually do, but I wonder if not playing with the stick I am used to and confident with was also a factor.

So since I am getting a new stick which is very much different from the predator, i am wondering how long it will take to get used to it. What has been the experience of the people here?

Laura
 
It's all in the mind .I use to play with a gilbet cue and switched to a joss .And my whole game changed and it drive me nuts.But i know for a fact that it the new stick and it in my head for sure .So some times you might have to stay with what works for you..I played with gilberts for a long time and now thats is all i can play with.So i going back to what works for me....
 
Sounds to me like you psyched yourself out.

Why not keep playing matches with the old cue for now, but practice with the new one when it arrives. After a bit of practice you should feel confident enough to make the switch for competitions.
 
it took me around 4 months before i got used to my present cue (i only play about 5 hours a week though) I had a hard time adjusting to it not because of the squirt (although that was a factor too) but more of the balance. My first cue which i was using for 3 years had a weight bolt at the rear while my current cue doesn't have one, although it has a cavity inside the butt sleeve for it.
Everytime i stroked, i would hesitate because i was used to feeling the weight in my palm. and it had this hollow sound- i was able to cure that by filling the empty weight bolt cavity with cotton...
 
Bluewolf, remember my post about breathing? No wonder your hubby is trying to find you a solution to your problem. I think you ought to listen to him - nothing to lose.

Many times, out of nervousness, the shot is taken just to get over it. Bad!

Get up. Breathe deeply. Stroke your cue in the air or something to get that adrenaline rush away.

But don't worry, everybody gets nervous. There's no exception, but it takes getting used to. Time will come when you will be able to handle it either because of confidence or because of good nerve management. :)
 
I've played with about 8 different production cues (McDermott, Dufferin, Joss, Schon, Predator, Viking, etc) and with a dozen custom cues (Prather, Espiritu, Jacoby, Dominiak, etc) and switching from one cue to another wasn't easy in the beginning. Once you find YOUR stroke, things will fall into place no matter what cue you're using. Yes, each shot will have a slightly different result, but you'll adjust quickly. Believe in yourself, be confident in what you know (and don't know), take a deep breath, a few "air strokes" (like Sputnik said), step up to the table, take your stance, breath and stroke it! Consistency is the key in switching from cue to cue (IMO). I was playing with a Prather (5/16-14, ss joint) and switched to a Dominiak (radial, wood to wood) and it took me a couple of weeks to adjust to the new radial pin (never played with it before). Now that I've got the "feel" of the radial pin, I LOVE IT! I also love the 314 shaft! The difference (IMO) between the 314 and the radial pin with a Dominator shaft is the "feel"! With the radial I can feel the tip contact the CB better than I can with the 5/16-14 ss joint with the 314 shaft. I can honestly say that I can perform the same shots with the same results and consistency with the radial pin Dominiak than I can with my Prather and Espiritu cue with a 314 shaft (both have a 5/16-14 ss joint). I've been waiting to make a post like this for a while now, but wanted to give both joints/shafts a fair trial before making a statement. I love both the 5/16-14 ss joint with a 314 shaft and a radial pin with a Dominator shaft.
I would highly recommend a beginner or avid pool player to experiment with different cues, both production and custom. It takes many shots with each to get a "feel" for what you like or better yet...what works for you!
Good Luck and keep practicing!!
Zim
 
Laura, find a cue that suits you and then learn how to play with it. You need to play with the same cue, all the time.


Gabber
 
Laura, I downgraded from a McD to a Dufferin and have never played better. Of course the Dufferin was custom fit to my other shaft and made to the same weight specifications. All for only $40.

As far as playing an SL7 in 8-ball you should never win. It is just that simple. A 1 or 2 should never, ever win against a 7. And of course losing does not help your team other than nullifying the 7. If the 7 does lose to 1's and 2's he should be kicked off the team. That is what you are up against in the APA.

That is for teams who really want to get into the playoffs and are not just playing for the fun of it.

Have you tried APA 9-ball yet? I really think that is where you will find you can be an asset to a team. It is a lot easier for a 1 to score points for the team than a 4 or 5. And if you play smart you would be a 6 or 7 killer.

We depended on the 1's to get us into the finals and win the playoffs last session.

Try playing your husband using APA 9-ball format and you will see how easy it is to beat him. Just do not ever play safe. That is a sure fire way to jump up your handicap. LOL. And wait for him to make mistakes, then take advantage of them. Jake
 
I played with the same McDermott for 18 years (a D-16) and recently (last year) switched to a Schon 647LTD.

My level of play seemed to elevate immediately with the Schon. I don't know...maybe it was all in my head, playing with an expensive cue, beautiful to look at, brand new leather Instroke Cowboy case, new Predator BK and my trusty Meucci Original SJ-21 jumper.

The whole package just seemed to make me "feel" better.

But then again, what do I know about this silly game other than it is causing the hair in my goatee to turn gray.

Regards,

Ken (no gray hairs on the head...yet. Okay...maybe two.)
 
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