Hand chalk should be banned !!!

Anyone else find that they had cue chafing problems when they were beginners, but as they got better, the problems just dried up, so to speak?

I don't know if it means I'm less nervous and therefore less sweaty... or maybe cuz I switched to a real cue with a smooth shaft instead of something with a shiny coating... or maybe some physical change. (My nuts finally dropped?)

If I have a problem, I use a glove... for those that claim it's embarrassing, trust me, it's no worse than looking like a baker had a seizure on the table.

If sweat soaks the glove and makes it nasty to wear though, I guess you gotta do what you gotta do. What bugs me infinitely more is guys who smoke over the tables and place drinks on the rails. You can just fix powder with a vacuum, but a stain or a burn are much more difficult.
 
I seen a guy at a table once using powder. It looked like a raccoon got into the flour cabinet!!! LMAO
It was a joke but this was seriously trying to play pool like that!
 
I actually do practise at times with a scotchtape over the tip to learn to control the ball with speed rather than spin.
If you would use a little common sense you would know that there is a difference between a little spin and a lot of spin. My point is that just because you use more spin it does not make you a better player. You could just as easily claim that you are worse player if you have to compensate for poor positioning with extreme spin-shots.

Does that mean that you will take the bet?????????????

If you are being totally HONEST...didn't you realize just how much you rely on spin after you put tape on your tip???

After all...wasn't that the point of the exercise...to try to figure out how to minimize the amt of spin since your so dependent upon it?

And if your so dependent upon it...doesn't it stand to reason that having it limited by a slick table and balls would affect your game AT LEAST A LITTLE BIT??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's ok to be honest...we're all family here! You're not better than me...we're all students of the game. :smile:
 
Anyone else find that they had cue chafing problems when they were beginners, but as they got better, the problems just dried up, so to speak?


I had a Schmelke when I was really young. It had a heavy finish on the shaft. I remember playing for hours on the home table without powder, finally quiting when blisters started showing up. As I got older and started playing tournys in a room without a powder cone, I bought one of those resin baggies (Q-smooth?). 20years later I still got that baggie.
 
Does that mean that you will take the bet?????????????

If you are being totally HONEST...didn't you realize just how much you rely on spin after you put tape on your tip???

After all...wasn't that the point of the exercise...to try to figure out how to minimize the amt of spin since your so dependent upon it?

And if your so dependent upon it...doesn't it stand to reason that having it limited by a slick table and balls would affect your game AT LEAST A LITTLE BIT??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's ok to be honest...we're all family here! You're not better than me...we're all students of the game. :smile:

that is why I said that there is a difference between little spin and a lot of spin. Everyone uses spin at times....most even unwittingly (I include myself in that). Btw...I never claimed I was a better player...I just said better players do not HAVE TO use so much spin as they have the speed-control to leave the ball much more accurately.

The point of the exercise is to learn to control the cueball pace so you do not have to use so much spin.
I never claimed that slick table and balls would not affect my game, I only claimed that the fact that someone uses more spin in their game makes them automatically a better player. That I do not believe.

As for betting....I only play for drinks! :) I am the first to admit that I am not a good player...but I try to become better.
 
There's almost nothing more frustrating to me than trying to play pool on a table that has hand chalk all over it. I cringe when my opponent goes over there to rub that cone, or puff that baby powder... It's difficult to go for heavy draw when the table and balls are slick. ...to me it handicaps the better player...that uses more spin.

I recently helped a player in my league stop using the glove...he thanked me a couple weeks later...felt so much better now that he had better feeling on the cue without the glove in the way.

Would not bother me if it didn't affect the tables playability.

Just frustrates me.

Anyone else get frustrated by it?

could not agree more...
 
I think a little bit of hand chalk/talc is OK. I have pretty sweaty hands (especially during a pool match when I'm nervous), so I need a little bit of talc to smooth out the shooting stroke. I just tap the cue shaft with the talc bag a couple of times, and that's all I need. I get a smooth stroke and don't leave chalk residue all over the table.
 
8onthebreak said:
...since good players don't use much spin...
Now I know you don't know jack about playing pool.

Do you realize that 8onthebreak was saying that good players DO use spin? You snipped his post and lost the context.

Kimmo: disagrees with the premise that better players use more spin
8onthebreak: believes better players use more spin


Freddie <~~~ training wheels
 
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I already disagree with the premise that better players use more spin. Surely the better player leaves the cueball better through speed-control and shot selection that less spin is needed.

It has been my observation over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.....

That the better players, the top players, the professional players use more side spin in American Pool and do not "stay in the center" as many amateurs and AZB Posters would like to believe.

However, I cannot comment on other games like snooker.


Freddie <~~~ IMObservation
 
An estimated 75% of your shots in a given game can be made with center ball and 0 (or minimal) spin with just using good speed control. Chew on that :D.

To add to it...will your leaves and the "out" be easier using spin? Quite possibly...however for the most part it can be done if you are a good shooter/solid fundys/good mental toughness/good speed control...that is all lol.
 
I can't play without it and if a person uses it properly it doesn't get on the table or balls. Chalk, on the other hand, has a big impact on the game when it gets on the table and balls.
 
I'd be lying if I said I've never used a pinch of powder just on a small area where the cue slides, but I agree that some people get a little ridiculous. No need to cake yourself up to the armpits with it. Other than that, if it's used sparingly I dont see a problem. I would agree however that large smudges all over the table isn't the prettiest thing in the world. I wouldn't say it's ever had an effect on my ability to play, but I'd personally rather play on a nice clean table. But thats what the brushes are for :)
 
I can't play without it and if a person uses it properly it doesn't get on the table or balls. Chalk, on the other hand, has a big impact on the game when it gets on the table and balls.

Al,

The use of talcum and baby powder certainly does have an impact on both the table cloth and pool balls. Do you think when you pick up the cue ball after a scratch / foul there is no transfer? How about when you rack the balls. You would have to wash your hands everytime before you approach the table not to transfer. Your opponent would have to do the same. How much impact does it have on the game? Guess it varies with the amount used. None would be best.

Agree about the tip chalk. Worst case are players who place the chalk cube upside down and / or tap the cube on the rails. Really gets me angry.

Lyn
 
I used to use powder every match.

I learned from reading previous threads on this subject, to bring a damp paper towel from the rest room, wipe down the cue's shaft, and it slides much better.

I've only resorted to powder once since then, and that was an unusual set of circumstances in location and humidity. And having learned a lot, I got by with the least amount necessary, with no evidence of its use. The damp towel works wonders.

I still carry a small container of powder, but it hasn't come out of the case in months, and that was for a teammate.
 
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