Cue Weight
- Thread starter Panhdlce
- Start date
PoolSleuth
Banned
IMO NO........ Why would you think it would?????
Well, from what I've heard over the years - weight plays no part in how a cue effects the cueball. Assuming we're not talking about weight in the end of a shaft. Predator has claimed that a dime-radius tip deflects less than a nickel-radius tip shape. I've found, and many agree, that a soft tip makes it "easier" to impart more spin on the cue ball. I'm not saying a soft tip makes MORE spin, but it seems it makes putting a given amount of spin on a ball easier. This doesn't matter much, as your stroke varies more than the difference between the tips. Predator, and some other makers, claim that their designs impart more spin on a ball when all other factors are equal - such as tip placement, speed of stroke, etc...This might be true. Until there is some independent verification (maybe there has been and I dunno about it)..it isn't so easy to swallow what every cuemaker out there has to pitch.
As for weight, 19oz-19.5 seems to be the weight most pros use, and there's 2 theories as for break-cue weight.
There's the ligher is better. Which it techinically is, since a lighter cue can be swung faster, thus generating more cue-ball speed. More speed = more power. However, not all top players opt for a ligher break cue. Instead, they get a break cue with the same taper, the same balance, and the same weight as their playing cue - except with a really, really hard tip. It is more important to some players to maintain the same feel/balance/weight with their playing cue for accuracy than it is to generate a slight bit more speed by going to a lighter break cue.
To each his own. Note that the differences here are so minimal, they should be of little interest in seriously improving one's game. It's interesting for pool junkies, but if you're searching for a magic wand, or the excalibur of cues...forget it.
As for weight, 19oz-19.5 seems to be the weight most pros use, and there's 2 theories as for break-cue weight.
There's the ligher is better. Which it techinically is, since a lighter cue can be swung faster, thus generating more cue-ball speed. More speed = more power. However, not all top players opt for a ligher break cue. Instead, they get a break cue with the same taper, the same balance, and the same weight as their playing cue - except with a really, really hard tip. It is more important to some players to maintain the same feel/balance/weight with their playing cue for accuracy than it is to generate a slight bit more speed by going to a lighter break cue.
To each his own. Note that the differences here are so minimal, they should be of little interest in seriously improving one's game. It's interesting for pool junkies, but if you're searching for a magic wand, or the excalibur of cues...forget it.
19 to 19.5 seems to be the most popular. Personal preferences in break cue weight seem to be somewhat undecided. I personally believe break cue weight should be similar to playing cue weight.laser2507 said:
Cue weight factors
A couple of other factors that come into play would be physical size and strength of the player, that why 1 particular weight of cue can not be
recommended to all players.
Any longing running player that exercises, particularly lifting weights, can tell
you that they have to make adjustments if they get 'built up' some from normal, or vica versa. I, routinely, had to adjust my breaking speed (or least it felt like it) after I had been working out fairly heavy with weights as opposed to when I just worked out lightly. With my arms, shoulders, and back muscles built up more, I would find myself 'overpowering' shots although
my muscle memory said I was shooting the same way as always.
A couple of other factors that come into play would be physical size and strength of the player, that why 1 particular weight of cue can not be
recommended to all players.
Any longing running player that exercises, particularly lifting weights, can tell
you that they have to make adjustments if they get 'built up' some from normal, or vica versa. I, routinely, had to adjust my breaking speed (or least it felt like it) after I had been working out fairly heavy with weights as opposed to when I just worked out lightly. With my arms, shoulders, and back muscles built up more, I would find myself 'overpowering' shots although
my muscle memory said I was shooting the same way as always.
Different weight cues will affect how you "throw" them through the cueball. ie the timing of the stroke and the various speeds the cue is accelerating/decelerating through the different areas of the pendulum motion.
Some people will stroke a heavy cue faster, some a lighter cue etc, it has to do with muscle fibers reaction time and the impulse from the brain instructing them what to do (do a google search on fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fiber for better understanding).
Everybody is different, you have to figure out what and how you are, and what works best for you. There is no right answer. And no, the weight of the cue is not relative to how much spin you can put on the ball......
Chuck
Some people will stroke a heavy cue faster, some a lighter cue etc, it has to do with muscle fibers reaction time and the impulse from the brain instructing them what to do (do a google search on fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fiber for better understanding).
Everybody is different, you have to figure out what and how you are, and what works best for you. There is no right answer. And no, the weight of the cue is not relative to how much spin you can put on the ball......
Chuck
PoolSleuth
Banned
laser2507 said:
Average
I M Not AVERAGE as my Playing Cues are 18.40-18.75 OZ's Breaker is 16.90 OZEveryone is different like their Finger Prints....and likes in Q Weights...
I have played Three Cushion Billiards on and off for almost twenty years.
I can tell that the weight of a cue will directly effect not only your stroke, but also the way that action is en-parted to the contact of balls when hit.
Billiard balls are average 2-3/8 in diameter where pool balls are normally 2-1/4.
Billiard Balls weigh approximately 7.2 oz while pool balls are about 6.4 oz.
It is a fact that deflection of any cue will increase with the cues weight.
This is due to a cues weight influencing the straightness of a persons stroke, and how hard the cue ball is struck with the cue tip.
The weight will also influence throw and squirt of the cue ball which will also affect the action on object balls when struck by the cue ball.
This can be tested by anyone very easily, rack a full set of balls. Use different weighted cues (start with a 18oz, then a 18.5oz then a 19 oz and a 19.5oz) and stroke the with a slow to medium hit from the center of the table into the head ball, using a center ball hit with each cue.
I am certain that you will find a differences in how the balls react.
Craig
I can tell that the weight of a cue will directly effect not only your stroke, but also the way that action is en-parted to the contact of balls when hit.
Billiard balls are average 2-3/8 in diameter where pool balls are normally 2-1/4.
Billiard Balls weigh approximately 7.2 oz while pool balls are about 6.4 oz.
It is a fact that deflection of any cue will increase with the cues weight.
This is due to a cues weight influencing the straightness of a persons stroke, and how hard the cue ball is struck with the cue tip.
The weight will also influence throw and squirt of the cue ball which will also affect the action on object balls when struck by the cue ball.
This can be tested by anyone very easily, rack a full set of balls. Use different weighted cues (start with a 18oz, then a 18.5oz then a 19 oz and a 19.5oz) and stroke the with a slow to medium hit from the center of the table into the head ball, using a center ball hit with each cue.
I am certain that you will find a differences in how the balls react.
Craig