Hoe do you chalk a cue?

Delaware Lar

Delaware Lar

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've been watching pool players calk their cues over the years. It seems like there are many approaches to this concerted concern. I've seen the one-handed scrap the corner of the chalk over the tip while turning the cue. I've also seen the time consuming two handed close-up view approach.

Which is the best way to learn to chalk a cue?
 
I am a right handed player and chalk with my right hand. I hold the cue in my left hand horizontally and turn the cue as I rub the corner of the chalk on the tip. This will allow any chalk practicals to drop off and not get on the shaft or ferrule, I use only wrap-less cues. My chalk will last as long as 6-8 months depending on how much I play. I use the Blue Diamond chalk so the cost don't hurt either.
 
I learned from watching Allison Fisher chalk her cue. Like everything else she does around the pool table, its in perfect rhythm with her pre shot routine. As for applying the chalk, I brush it on lightly, and often.
 
I like the tip of not putting the chalk on the floor between your feet and grinding your cue down into it like you are drilling for oil.

Do people actually do that?
 
sammspocket said:
Enjoy!
http://www.pooldawg.com/article/pooldawg-library/chalk-it-up--the-proper-way
Click to expand...

Very nice article on chalking. I do much the same except that I hold the chalk in my left hand, and hold the end of the cue in my lefft hand little finger and slowly rotate the cue with my right hand while stroking with the left.

What I really liked about the article was wher it pointed out not to put the chalk down or sideways on the rails--up on the rails is the correct way.
 
I hold the cue at an angle and rotate with my right hand and wipe chalk on lightly with my left.

I am thinking about the shot as I chalk so do more chalking than is required. It is part of my pre shot routine on every shot. Still, one cube of chalk lasts me several months.

On a draw shot I am more careful to look at the chalked tip and be sure it is completely covered to prevent any miscue.
 
MitchAlsup said:
Very nice article on chalking. I do much the same except that I hold the chalk in my left hand, and hold the end of the cue in my lefft hand little finger and slowly rotate the cue with my right hand while stroking with the left.

What I really liked about the article was wher it pointed out not to put the chalk down or sideways on the rails--up on the rails is the correct way.
Click to expand...

Thanks! If you enjoyed the article, you may enjoy these pics. See how the pros chalk:
http://www.pooltipjar.com/2010/02/whose-hands/
http://www.pooltipjar.com/2010/02/whose-hands-part-ii/
 
Delaware Lar said:
I've been watching pool players calk their cues over the years. It seems like there are many approaches to this concerted concern. I've seen the one-handed scrap the corner of the chalk over the tip while turning the cue. I've also seen the time consuming two handed close-up view approach.

Which is the best way to learn to chalk a cue?
Click to expand...

The last time I pout chalk on the cue I got white powder all over the table. The Owner was pissed.. :grin:
 
The Cool Way

I hold the cue with the chalk over the tip in my left hand.
The butt of the cue is up against my left shoe.
I then put the instep of my right shoe on the wrap area of the cue.
I than move my foot back and forth rolling the cue in the chalk.
I can do all this while still drinking a beer with my right hand. :D:D
 
Personally, I have two identical cue, and while I play with one, my manservant chalks the other :)

Seriously though, have you ever seen how Fast Eddie does it in the Hustler movie? He hold his cue horizontally with his right hand and brings the chalk cube to the tip with his left and twists the cue. I once thought it was a good idea to avoid losing time passing the cue to the left hand, getting the chalk with the right, chalking vertically, then pass the cue back to the right hand. So I tried to do it the Eddie way for a whole evening, but ended up getting really annoyed trying to aim the tip into the chalk, not seeing what I was doing and getting chalk all over my bridge hand. Does anyone really do it that way?
 
I change hands so that the chalk is held in my back hand.

I hold the cue horizontally or with the butt end up.

I brush the chalk lightly onto the tip.

I watch what I'm doing, giving the chalking activity my attention, so as to get complete coverage.

The residue falls to the floor and not on the shaft.

My bridge hand never gets any chalk on it, unless it comes from the table.

I use BD chalk these days.
 
I always chalk before every shot. I might chalk five times before a shot. Maybe it is just a nervous habit - but I don't miscue.

One day, I noticed my hands, particularly at the point on my hands where my index and middle fingers meet the palms of my hands, were covered with chalk. This built up chalk on my left hand (my bridge hand) started to get on the shaft of my stick.

Too fix this problem I now only chalk with my right hand (at the end of a night of pool my right hand is a deep blue from chalk build up). My bridge hand stays clean and my shaft stays clean, but the wrap on my cue has a blue hue to it now.
 
Edges only

It is my opinion that you should chalk the tip by brushing it on the edges of the tip only, not on the center of the tip. reasons are: you will never miscue in the center of the tip, all miscues are on the edge and also chalk on the center of the tip will be deposited onto the cue ball, this will increase the chances of skid. chalk on the edge will also be left on the cue ball but in a lesser amount. chalk in the center of the tip has no useful purpose except appearance or ease of chalking.
 
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