Does the cue make the player?

9balllvr said:
I have wondered this for a while - have even heard from pro players and road players that once they got "this" cue, their game improved, etc. I would like to know what you guys think - can a cue improve your game? or is it mental? if you are one that thinks it can improve your game, what cue does it for you?

Thanks for your responses.

9balllvr
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First off, Happy New Year!! Secondly, its not the arrow, its the indian. Cue plays less than a 15% piece of the pie IMO. Nick Varner has won with a Tad, Joss, Muecci and now his own line <mass produced in some asian nation>, didnt seem to phase him at all. Its all a matter of personal preference...
 
i don't know if i agree. I don't play with an extremely expensive cue to begin with, but when I recently went to a pool hall after work and played with a house cue, I noticed I wasn't playing worse or better than normal.(similar equipment)
I tend to think the whole cue thing is more of a mental deal. I mean, give me a slightly warped shaft, and i'll still make the shots and my game won't suffer too much.
 
mantis99 said:
Man I hope not, or I am really going to suck for a while. Seriously, I have never hit a cue over $150. I have 2 $100 cues, and a walmart cue. I have run numerous 9 ball racks (only because I have played a lot of them) with the walmart cue. I think people get way too into equipment at times. People make 100 plus ball runs in straight pool with house cues. I am sure a good cues helps some with deflection and comfort, but I believe the vast majority of the game lies in the holder of the cue, and not the cue itself.
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There's a lot to be said for house cues though. a lot of cuemakers seem to want to get their cues to play like a 1 piece cue.
 
Don't be silly

9balllvr said:
thought i would revisit this thread - wondering if there are any other varying opinions from the new folks....
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Your original post (a year ago) had three questions:

Does the cue make the player?
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You already know the obvious answer to this silly question, so I'll just assume you asked it to push some buttons and attract some responses.

can a cue improve your game?
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Yes, but because you like it more, not because it "plays" better than another cue (within the normal range of decent cues).

or is it mental?
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Why "or"? Your game can improve from the mental effect of using a cue. In fact, that's probably the only benefit of one decent cue over another.

pj
chgo
 
Fatboy said:
its 90% player at the least, a cue helps some but you cant train in what god left out with any piece of wood.
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goodpost.gif
 
Certain cues are better suited for different people. I feel this mainly has to do with weight, balance point, butt diameter, wrap, etc. Basically in that order. But it will not turn an amateur into a pro, and vice versa. When players see a significant gain in their game after buying a better cue (assuming they're not switching from a $10 cue from Wal-Mart) it is mainly mental. A type of placebo effect. Also as with any new cue the attention of the player will be focused on something other than the game, leaving the subconscious mind to take over. This could also create an immediate but probably temporary improvement. Anyway, just my opinion.
 
9balllvr said:
I have wondered this for a while - have even heard from pro players and road players that once they got "this" cue, their game improved, etc. I would like to know what you guys think - can a cue improve your game? or is it mental? if you are one that thinks it can improve your game, what cue does it for you?

Thanks for your responses.

9balllvr
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Yes to all of the above.

It's both physical and mental.

Players at all levels can acheive better control with the
cue that is right for them. Problem is, 'right' is so subjective.

The mental part, in pool, as with so many other games/sports,
if you think it makes you play better, you will play better.

Dale
 
In fact, that's probably the only benefit of one decent cue over another.
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i wouldnt go that far. if your cue is a pile of crap house cue with a battered shaft and no taper so to speak, you might not be able to play that shot with your preferred closed bridge for example. or you may end up with a shorter stroke - i always end up shortening my pre-strokes when i'm playing with a house cue because it's simply more difficult and less pleasureable to stroke the cue back and forth.
 
9balllvr said:
I hear so much about Predator shafts, what truly is the big deal? have I missed the boat on this one.......I am stubborn in that I have been playing with the same cue for 10 years and just recently went the custom route, but nothing fancy.
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Predator is kinda like a pool cue for dummies. It is very good at masking a lot of the mistakes that weaker players make. It does let you get away with off center hits to a certain degree and it does let you be a little bit braver with english. It is a good cue for people to learn on(maybe a bit pricey) but it could be tough to switch back to a reguler shaft. I had a $50 Riley the whole time I played snooker and my wife got me a custom spec hand made John Parris as my wedding present. I really wish I had the Parris when I was playing because I didn't know a cue could play that good. My wedding was 5 years after I had moved to the states so the Parris hasn't seen much competitive action.
 
Me:
Your game can improve from the mental effect of using a cue. In fact, that's probably the only benefit of one decent cue over another.

worriedbeef:
i wouldnt go that far. if your cue is a pile of crap house cue with a battered shaft and no taper so to speak, you might not be able to play that shot with your preferred closed bridge for example. or you may end up with a shorter stroke - i always end up shortening my pre-strokes when i'm playing with a house cue because it's simply more difficult and less pleasureable to stroke the cue back and forth.
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I agree that "fit" is important, but it isn't really a quality of the cue itself. The same cue fits some players better than others, both physically and aesthetically. Comparing new cues of normal quality, the differences in real intrinsic "playability" are virtually nil across the whole range of prices.

I'm not complaining about paying for aesthetics in a cue. I like the fact that cues are works of art as well as tools. It reflects the artistry with which they're used.

pj
chgo
 
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poolplayer2093 said:
There's a lot to be said for house cues though. a lot of cuemakers seem to want to get their cues to play like a 1 piece cue.
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One word - Starkey!
 
It ain't the cue, it's the cue pusher!

But to add to that and what hasn't been said here. There is an inherent advantage to having your own cue. The advantage is in knowing what you have in your hands when you get down to play. There is no adjustment period needed to get used to playing with a new or borrowed cue. With your own cue, you will feel comfortable immediately because you know the cue and how to play with it. That makes a BIG difference!
 
Yes, the cue makes a difference !!!! You need to have a cue that "feeels" right to you and then you can get the most out of it.

I am having new tips put on my playing cue so I used a different cue in a tourney last Sat. I was in a hill hill match and miscued on the 8 ball. I know for a fact that if I had my regular, I would not have miscued. Ended up costing me $$. :mad:

Russ....
 
jay helfert said:
It ain't the cue, it's the cue pusher!

But to add to that and what hasn't been said here. There is an inherent advantage to having your own cue. The advantage is in knowing what you have in your hands when you get down to play. There is no adjustment period needed to get used to playing with a new or borrowed cue. With your own cue, you will feel comfortable immediately because you know the cue and how to play with it. That makes a BIG difference!
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As an example, though I will never be mistaken for a world-beater, I have certain cues that I have more confidence in. My house cue rack holds eight cues. When I play somebody I always let them choose a cue first (if they don't bring their own). Then, if they haven't chosen it, there is always this one house cue I will choose to shoot with. Why is that? Because my experiences with shooting with this cue coupled with the fact that I like the feel and hit of the cue, has given me the necessary confidence I need in this cue to succeed with it. I still have to do MY part with this cue, but I feel better with my chances of success by choosing this cue. Positive vibes/confidence is a VERY good thing in the pool shooting business, IMO!!!

Maniac
 
Voodoo Daddy said:
First off, Happy New Year!! Secondly, its not the arrow, its the indian. Cue plays less than a 15% piece of the pie IMO. Nick Varner has won with a Tad, Joss, Muecci and now his own line <mass produced in some asian nation>, didnt seem to phase him at all. Its all a matter of personal preference...
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Happy New Year to you as well :D where are you these days???
 
hippiepool said:
Someone told me this once ....." it aint the arrows ... it's the indians "
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could it be Voodoo??? he said it in the post right before yours :p
 
Patrick Johnson said:
Your original post (a year ago) had three questions:



You already know the obvious answer to this silly question, so I'll just assume you asked it to push some buttons and attract some responses.



Yes, but because you like it more, not because it "plays" better than another cue (within the normal range of decent cues).



Why "or"? Your game can improve from the mental effect of using a cue. In fact, that's probably the only benefit of one decent cue over another.

pj
chgo
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although i appreciate your response, i did not feel the question was a "silly" question in the least and no i have no need to push buttons. i have been involved with many conversations with players (professional and amateur) that feel a cue makes a difference (or a certain shaft) - thus the reason i mentioned the mental part vs. equipment. i have been told that if you have a custom cue made for you, it can make a difference in your play (due to weight, length, etc.) although i am not a rock star player, i have some clue of what i am doing while playing on a table and i wondered if better equipment was worth the $$$$ or if sticking to the old and true was what i would do.
 
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