Do you use a Jump Cue?

[td873]

I always wonder just how many people "actually" use a jump cue. And if you do use one, how many times in relation to the games you play do you use one.

Jumping is just another tool you should develop if you desire to play at a consistently high level. It is a specialty shot that comes up infrequently, but when you need it, it's your best friend. Similarly, masses, curves/swerves, point-kicks, rail-jumps, object ball jumps, cue ball off_an_object_ball jumps, and a host of other "trick"-type shots are valuable tools.

But nothing can substitute for solid fundamentals.

Don't forget the most relevant quote on this subject: "You'll lose more games by missing easy shots than you'll win by shooting 'trick' shots."

-td <-- jumps maybe once in a race to nine playing 9 ball.

 

[Flex]

yep all you have to do is battle someone with a jump cue whos decent with it and youll see why you need one. I was playing a pretty good player one night and i safed him several times only to have him jump out of it, and he made or nearly made about 6 jumps. At the time i had no jump cue or experience but right then i decided to learn. A kid who played in our room who wasnt very good but an excellent jumper showed me some things and i was jumping in no time. Its nice to have an option to jump, and probably on an average night against someone who can play a decent safe id use mine 4 or 5 times. It cant hurt to learn.

The jump cue is a necessity these days. Look at it this way: would you rather try to kick 3 or 4 rails through a mess of balls, and very probably not hit the requisite object ball, or jump over several and hit the OB and hopefully at least not give up ball in hand?

Giving up ball in hand is way worse than leaving your opponent a shot.

 

[Flex]

Indeed, I will jump 1/2 a ball with my playing cue when I get that shoot too. That is a valuable shot in 9-ball, just like you said.

Give me 18 inches and I'm over 3/4 of a ball with my playing cue. Not an easy shot, but easily a game winner.

 

[BVal]

I use a jump cue and believe that each cue has a purpose. I use a different cue for playing, breaking and jumping. That way I am not compromising perfmorance in any way. My jump cue only weighs 9 oz. and makes it very easy to control. The shaft is also 14mm so it is very stiff. My break cue is 13.2mm and my playing cue is 11.75. This is just my opinion and what works best for me after much experimentation.

BVal

 

[tigerallenyim]

Definitely used on every nite i've played others in 9-ball and even 8 (but not really recommended). Problem is: It's the others that have the ability to jump. I do have a jump cue, but only have it cuz just thinking others might need it during a match. I can't use it simply b/c of a injury implicating both shoulders and wince at any time i make an attempt at it. I am very fortunate however.... I am getting help from 3 cushion players (who are sympathetic to my injury) to get me out of tight spots. But who knows.... maybe one day I'll get my shoulders back.

But it's always a good thing to be more well rounded and well prepared imho.

 

[worriedbeef]

i have a jump/break cue, and am new to jumping. but i am trying to learn to do it with the full cue. I think i'm with Earl on the short stick issue. the very first time i tried my jump cue broke down i jumped it easily. when it's that easy to undo a brilliant safety shot sometimes i'm not sure i agree with it. jumping is fine, but use a full length cue so it takes some skill.

 

[TrickyRicky]

I don't feel the way you do, jumping has been around for a long time with or with out jump cues. I love to kick, but it's not always an option or not always the best option.

Nobody is forcing you to get a jump cue, if you want to stay in the past maybe you should start shooting with a mace.

Supergreenman, actually pro players were forced to get a jump cue in order to keep up with the "Jones". Nobody wants to lose a game to an opponent because of not keeping up with the rule and equipment changes, whether we like them or not...

And BTW, I actually used to shoot with a mace but the games were too quick because I was killing my opponents with my stroke

I hope you have a happier day!

Rick P.

 

[supergreenman]

Supergreenman, actually pro players were forced to get a jump cue in order to keep up with the "Jones". Nobody wants to lose a game to an opponent because of not keeping up with the rule and equipment changes, whether we like them or not...

And BTW, I actually used to shoot with a mace but the games were too quick because I was killing my opponents with my stroke

I hope you have a happier day!

Rick P.

I'm going to go play some pool, and jump balls, that will make me happy

 

[Handsumm]

I use a jump cue and believe that each cue has a purpose. I use a different cue for playing, breaking and jumping. That way I am not compromising perfmorance in any way. My jump cue only weighs 9 oz. and makes it very easy to control. The shaft is also 14mm so it is very stiff. My break cue is 13.2mm and my playing cue is 11.75. This is just my opinion and what works best for me after much experimentation.

BVal

I am with this guy. I carry three sticks for three purposes. Hell, I wouldn't mind a stick just for masses too!

When I discovered how to jump balls, I felt that I had added a whole new arsenal to my game. If I am in a situation now that I like the jump shot, I remember what it was like to not be able to do so. To have the skill is a TREMENDOUS advantage.

I recently saw Efren jump a ball (perfectly I might ad). I have only seen him do this once, and I bet he doesn't really like how the game has changed in that way, because he excels so well in the kicking game.

His advantage over players is null if they can jump and he can't.

It is usually the old timers (aka "ol' schoolers") that don't like the short jump stick. They are also the one's who call it chicken Shite to play a safety and they think that ball in hand is a ridiculous rule. Hell, I almost got whacked out by playing a safety one time in some Podunk Bar in OK.

Point is this...you have to advance in sports. Football now has an official review, golf clubs are now made of titanium instead of wood, etc. It is necessary to use tools that will enable us to perform better without sacrificing the integrity of the game itself. Since jumping is a skill, it requires that a player not only has one of these tools, but that they can use it. It only adds to the complexity of our beautiful game and makes everyone perform better. Unlike the commercialization of pool buy shrinking the tables and widening the pockets (Ralph Greenleaf and others are rolling in their graves).

p.s. You had better snuggle up to opposing balls on safety shots nowadays, when in the past it was good just to leave like a half ball hook (unless they could masse well).

 

[sjm]

As a confirmed old-time purist, I refuse to buy one. When someone asks me why I don't own a jump cue, I answer "because I'd rather lose than buy one."

 

[acedotcom]

I was knocked out of a nine-ball tournament last week by a kid showing off his new jump stick. In fact, on my last shot of the game I banked the seven up table and maneuvered the cueball behind the eight, leaving him safe. Well, the seven winds up not only frozen to the nine, but perfectly in line with the far corner pocket. The kid pops the cue over the edge of the eight into the seven and pockets the nine, beating me 4-3.

Yesterday, on impulse, I won a break/jump cue with a phenolic tip, on eBay from CarlsCues. It's in the mail, now. Next week I'll show that young whippersnapper a thing or two.