Couple basic questions for you

J

JDP12

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hey all- just thought I would say hello, first post and all.

I just started playing pool seriously about a month ago, and play as much as time allows with school. I've been playing with a cue that came with our pool table, a Brunswick.

I'm nowhere near good enough to be needing a dedicated cue, but I just thought I would pose this question because my birthday is coming up in a few months...

When would you consider oneself good enough to need to buy a cue?
Is a break/jump cue really needed in the beginning? I'm guessing not...but was just wondering.

So just wanted to pose those two, I consider the first more important of a question than the latter.

Thanks,

JDP
 
JDP - I say that regardless of your skill level it can help to have a quality cue. The important thing is that you feel like you are good enough. The consistency of having the same cue every time that you play can increase your game in itself. That benefit is worth getting a cue at any point in your development as a player. I say go for it. I suggest first getting a playing cue that you like and can get used to, which may take a little while. Later think about getting a break/jump cue but in the meantime don't use your playing cue to break with because it can damage the tip and the shaft. The playing cue is much more important because you use it the majority of the time. Hope this helps!
 
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Welcome JDP!

In a few months, if you feel like you've gotten realky into the game, the I would suggest buying your own playing cue to get used to. It's a bigtime buyer's market right now so it's as good a time as any to buy. I'd say go for a used custom sneaky pete right off the bat - it'll hold it's resale value a lot better than a production cue and you'll be getting a fine piece of craftsman ship for a decent price.

If you also want a J/B cue, I would suggest picking up a J&J break jump - great bang for the buck, only gonna run you around $60 shipped last time I checked.

Just keep playing for a few weeks and see if you start getting really hooked - if you start pocketing balls in your dreams (like I did) then you'll know - LOL

Hope this helps and welcome once again!
 
Any time is a good time to get your own personal cue. Even a cheap cue is fine to start with as long as you keep playing with the same cue. I use the same cue every time I play, even though I have several cues that will work, I know how my playing cue performs and feels. Keep playing with that cue you have been using, or buy a new one now, just make sure you play with the same cue all the time.


Joe
 
JDP12 said:
hey all- just thought I would say hello, first post and all.

I just started playing pool seriously about a month ago, and play as much as time allows with school. I've been playing with a cue that came with our pool table, a Brunswick.

I'm nowhere near good enough to be needing a dedicated cue, but I just thought I would pose this question because my birthday is coming up in a few months...

When would you consider oneself good enough to need to buy a cue?
Is a break/jump cue really needed in the beginning? I'm guessing not...but was just wondering.

So just wanted to pose those two, I consider the first more important of a question than the latter.

Thanks,

JDP
Click to expand...

Now is the time to experiment with lots of different cues -- from 17 oz. to 21 oz. would be my suggestion. Also vary the shaft thickness, from narrow to thick. A stick is an instrument of personal preference. You'll shoot your best when you have confidence in your cue.

Once you've settled on a weight and shaft thickness -- around 19 oz. for most of us, and with a medium to skinny shaft -- you can then investigate the nice production cues that can be had in the $100 to $200 range. The other property you'll begin to notice is "hit" -- how the cue feels when it strikes the cue ball. Once again, "hit" is highly personal and the subject of many arguments on this board, most of them silly.

Anyway, if you're still in the game after owning a good production cue for a couple of years, and you're still intent on moving up the ladder, the sky is the limit in terms of what you can spend. A stick can't possibly make you a better player, but it can give you the confidence that a better player must have.

Have a blast, visit your local pool hall and ask around, and enjoy the game.
 
JDP12 said:
hey all- just thought I would say hello, first post and all.

I just started playing pool seriously about a month ago, and play as much as time allows with school. I've been playing with a cue that came with our pool table, a Brunswick.

I'm nowhere near good enough to be needing a dedicated cue, but I just thought I would pose this question because my birthday is coming up in a few months...

When would you consider oneself good enough to need to buy a cue?
Is a break/jump cue really needed in the beginning? I'm guessing not...but was just wondering.

So just wanted to pose those two, I consider the first more important of a question than the latter.

Thanks,

JDP
Click to expand...
Hey JDP, Welcome to the pool world I hope you have fun with it. I understand you are a begginner but I am sure that I can help you get a feel for the game and its ins and outs. The best way I think is if you and I get together and play a couple of $100 sets and when you start seeing improvement we can move up to maybe $500 sets. I have no problem spending the whole day or even weekend helping you work on your game like this. Unlike some of these other pool schools like the Legends and Champions Pool Tour I will not charge you an hourly rate or anything. Please let me know as I am eager to help,:)
Mark :D :D
 
JDP12 said:
hey all- just thought I would say hello, first post and all.

I just started playing pool seriously about a month ago, and play as much as time allows with school. I've been playing with a cue that came with our pool table, a Brunswick.

I'm nowhere near good enough to be needing a dedicated cue, but I just thought I would pose this question because my birthday is coming up in a few months...

When would you consider oneself good enough to need to buy a cue?
Is a break/jump cue really needed in the beginning? I'm guessing not...but was just wondering.

So just wanted to pose those two, I consider the first more important of a question than the latter.

Thanks,

JDP
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum!

You don't need to be good to buy/own a cue. I would first get 3 other weights (18-21 oz.) of house cues for your home game room. Have a good cue mechanic install good tips on all (read threads to find which tip is good for you on AZB). Now you can experiment which feels the best for you. Use one of the others to break with, and use your favorite to practice with. Get used to it. Learning to play with a house cue is a good place to start.

I wouldn't buy a 2 piece until you really want to take a cue with you to play. It does limit you, having one in the car.... can't leave it in there, etc.

Good luck, and keep on posting. Lots of knowledge here!!

td
 
I agree with all the above posts.. This is a little off topic but anyways you might want to pick up a book on billiards basics or surround yourself with good players I say this because alot of us wish we could go back to the beginning and change our bad habits (stroke, stance, routine) now might be a good time to learn the proper bridge stance stroke ect. before it gets to hard to change bad habits without getting worse first.
 
I think you should get a cue as soon as you can. It doesn't have to be the greatest cue in the world, but it'll give you something to put in your case and be proud of. Using the same cue and tip combination all the time may help with your consistency too.

I wouldn't woory too much about a jump cue until you are really ready to start practicing jumping.
 
wow thanks for all the replies....

Well we have a 18, 19, 20, 21... but either the 20 or 21 is slightly warped...

I've played enough in the past to know I don't like the heavier, and prefer the 18 or 19, the 18 preferably.

Would you recommend I just play for a few more weeks, then go to a billiards store and just start looking at cues to see what i like?

Are there any specific brands that I should be keeping my eye out for?

I'll look into the tips- even I can tell that the tips on these cues aren't the highest quality :wink:
 
My dad recently got a Brunswick table that came with a set of cues. I cant put my finger on it but they feel cheap. I have been shooting with a Joss for several years now so that might have something to do with it.

Head over to the buy/sell forum. You can find lots of cues for around $100 that will suit you well (i.e. Mcdermott, Viking, Lucasi or maybe even a custom cue).
 
JDP12 said:
wow thanks for all the replies....

Well we have a 18, 19, 20, 21... but either the 20 or 21 is slightly warped...

I've played enough in the past to know I don't like the heavier, and prefer the 18 or 19, the 18 preferably.

Would you recommend I just play for a few more weeks, then go to a billiards store and just start looking at cues to see what i like?

Are there any specific brands that I should be keeping my eye out for?

I'll look into the tips- even I can tell that the tips on these cues aren't the highest quality :wink:
Click to expand...


Hey man welcome to the site.

The best way to go is go to a billiard supply store, they should have a large range of cues with different specs to try, find something you like i would reccommend brands like mcdermott,viking,players.
 
Yea... I dunno I like the table alot though.

Well do you think i should go and hit some cues before I purchase one? It seems important, but maybe not.. thoughts?


Also i have a question on the game FARGO. I get how you get points (1 point for random, 2 for rotation) but what happens if you miss a ball? Is that a penalty? Because otherwise you could score the same every time even if your ratio was three hits for every one ball. So is there a penalty or way to take care of that issue?

Just curious....

Thanks for the outstanding replies I've gotten, less than two hours after I posted.

JDP
 
JDP12 said:
hey all- just thought I would say hello, first post and all.

I just started playing pool seriously about a month ago, and play as much as time allows with school. I've been playing with a cue that came with our pool table, a Brunswick.

I'm nowhere near good enough to be needing a dedicated cue, but I just thought I would pose this question because my birthday is coming up in a few months...

When would you consider oneself good enough to need to buy a cue?
Is a break/jump cue really needed in the beginning? I'm guessing not...but was just wondering.

So just wanted to pose those two, I consider the first more important of a question than the latter.

Thanks,

JDP
Click to expand...



You are good enough now to buy a nice cue.... I would suggest not to throw out big bucks for a cue right away because dollar value does not determine the best cue for you....
I believe in a break cue because it will save the tip on your shooting cue...

Hope this helps and Welcome to the Forumn:welcome:
 
I do not feel there is any certain level someone should attain before getting a cue. Frankly, I suck, but I like playing with a nice cue. If I'm going to spend hours at the table trying to better my game I might as well do it with a nice cue that I truly enjoy playing with.

Honestly, I do feel a little awkward showing up with my Whitten case, Olney cue, dedicated break and jump cue when I have very limited skills to back it up. But I'm also of the personality type that I like to have nice things, I acknowledge that they won't make me a better player, but I enjoy my experience more with them and I can rest assured knowing that no matter what my equipment isn't what is holding my game back.

Try a few out if you get a chance and pick up the cue that just feels right to you.
 
This might seem a bit controversial, but the difference between a straight house cue with a good tip and a thousand dollar cue is surprisingly small. Good shooting comes from the player. I am using a brunswick cue and I like the hit. I've also spent about 10 years hitting with one or two favorite house cues and run several racks every night with them.

Don't get sucked into thinking you need to buy a cue, or need to get an expensive one. Spend your money on instructional books and DVDs and I promise you'll shoot 10x better than spending the same money on a nice cue.
 
tap tap tap....

CreeDo said:
This might seem a bit controversial, but the difference between a straight house cue with a good tip and a thousand dollar cue is surprisingly small. Good shooting comes from the player. I am using a brunswick cue and I like the hit. I've also spent about 10 years hitting with one or two favorite house cues and run several racks every night with them.

Don't get sucked into thinking you need to buy a cue, or need to get an expensive one. Spend your money on instructional books and DVDs and I promise you'll shoot 10x better than spending the same money on a nice cue.
Click to expand...

Well said................

Another .02 cents.......... Get yourself a cue when you have on 3-5 (you pick) different occassions, run a 2 pack.. break and run out, break and run out.. any game. By that time you will have confidence in using a house cue, and your game will be getting up to speed. It will also give you the drive to learn the game first ... with your eye on the prize.

The above advice is the best so far IMO. There are some FANTASTIC instructional videos and books out there!

td
 
Just keep playing for a few weeks and see if you start getting really hooked
Click to expand...

This sounds right to me. It's never too early to get your own cue, but it's not worth it if you're not going to stick with the game.

It's also true that you don't need to spend a ton of money. Get a plain-looking stick ("sneaky petes" are good choices) at first. Go for the bling later if you want.

pj
chgo
 
bfdlad said:
Hey JDP, Welcome to the pool world I hope you have fun with it. I understand you are a begginner but I am sure that I can help you get a feel for the game and its ins and outs. The best way I think is if you and I get together and play a couple of $100 sets and when you start seeing improvement we can move up to maybe $500 sets. I have no problem spending the whole day or even weekend helping you work on your game like this. Unlike some of these other pool schools like the Legends and Champions Pool Tour I will not charge you an hourly rate or anything. Please let me know as I am eager to help,:)
Mark :D :D
Click to expand...

thats mighty nice of u bfdlad...i think u will need an assistant so i demand i get half of anything that u are lucky enuff to earn...
 
OK, so I've basically gathered here that a cue right now isn't an instant necessity, but one I should be looking at relatively soon.

What about the break? Should I just get a fairly cheap one- I think i recall someone posting about some that run around 60 bucks or so?

Also, can anyone answer the question I posted on the FARGO game??
 
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