I play better with a cheaper cue. Why?

[Razorback Randy]

I have been playing for a few years now and try to get the best quality products on the market. I have a Viking F87, Z2 shaft and sniper tip. A few months ago I bought a players sneaky pete so when people come over they are not using a high $ cue. I have been playing better with the sneaky pete than the cue that cost 10 times as much. Why is this?

 

[cuesblues]

It's possible that you play better with a full spliced cue like a sneaky pete.
I think a lot of people do.
It doesn't surprise me at all.

There are a lot of really nice sneakies out there that play fantastic.
I own sneakies that seem to play better than the higher end cues from the same builder.
I think about the same thing that you mentioned, every time I play with one of them.

 

[JXMIKE]

Maybe the wrapless feature is better for your game. and said as above the full splice makes for a better hitting cue.

 

[Koopa]

You're probably just thinking about it too much.

 

[Razorback Randy]

You're probably just thinking about it too much.

I was actually thinking that I would play worse with the cheaper cue. What is a full splice cue?

 

[Kevin Lindstrom]

Just a thought

Maybe you are worried about putting dents, dings or scratches on the high dollar cue. On the sneaky you do not have those worries as much which allows you to be more comfortable playing with the sneaky. I know I have a few higher end cues that I don't even use for that same fear factor. I plan to sell them off.

Kevin

 

[skor]

I have been playing for a few years now and try to get the best quality products on the market. I have a Viking F87, Z2 shaft and sniper tip. A few months ago I bought a players sneaky pete so when people come over they are not using a high $ cue. I have been playing better with the sneaky pete than the cue that cost 10 times as much. Why is this?

The first (1) thing that comes to my mind is the Z shaft. It is a very accurate shaft but it is very easy to miss shots and lose control of the cue ball with it if you don't have a perfect straight and consist stroke and if you lack the understanding of low deflection shafts and how to use them.

How is you game when using the original Viking shaft?

The second and third reasons could be psychological:
2. You are scared to damage an expansive cue and you hold back on shots.

3. When playing with a different cue you pay more attention to all the details that make a shot because you are constantly comparing between the new/different cue to the cue you use everyday so you focus more on the grip, stance, aim, the contact point between the cue and the cue ball AND the stroke. This is why most people "think" that their game got better when they buy a new cue....

 

[supergreenman]

I have been playing for a few years now and try to get the best quality products on the market. I have a Viking F87, Z2 shaft and sniper tip. A few months ago I bought a players sneaky pete so when people come over they are not using a high $ cue. I have been playing better with the sneaky pete than the cue that cost 10 times as much. Why is this?

It's my guess that you play better with a shaft that has more deflection. Price has very little to do with this.

 

[androd]

I have been playing for a few years now and try to get the best quality products on the market. I have a Viking F87, Z2 shaft and sniper tip. A few months ago I bought a players sneaky pete so when people come over they are not using a high $ cue. I have been playing better with the sneaky pete than the cue that cost 10 times as much. Why is this?

maybe you're a "poverty snob". the cue probably just feels better to you, the're all different, the name means nothing unless you're trying to sell it.
( or buy one)

 

[Razorback Randy]

Maybe you are worried about putting dents, dings or scratches on the high dollar cue. On the sneaky you do not have those worries as much which allows you to be more comfortable playing with the sneaky. I know I have a few higher end cues that I don't even use for that same fear factor. I plan to sell them off.

Kevin

I am not worried about getting a ding in the shaft. The cue and shaft total about $500.
I didn't notice much of a difference in my game when I was using the original Viking shaft and when I switched to the Z2 about a year ago.

 

[Varney Cues]

I'd guess you play better with a wrapless cue. Many players do...I do as well. With linen I have to squeeze the butt much more to control it. With a wrapless cue it sticks in your hand better and allows you a looser grip which provides better accuracy and cueball action. Watch how loose many top players grip the cue.:wink:

 

[poolplayer2093]

I'd guess you play better with a wrapless cue. Many players do...I do as well. With linen I have to squeeze the butt much more to control it. With a wrapless cue it sticks in your hand better and allows you a looser grip which provides better accuracy and cueball action. Watch how loose many top players grip the cue.:wink:

That's a good point. that might just be the answer

 

[McChen]

it could also be the tip size...the z shaft is very thin at 11.75mm and the players shaft is 13mm. many players feel that a larger tip is more forgiving

 

[iowa_player]

Maybe you are worried about putting dents, dings or scratches on the high dollar cue. On the sneaky you do not have those worries as much which allows you to be more comfortable playing with the sneaky. I know I have a few higher end cues that I don't even use for that same fear factor. I plan to sell them off.

Kevin

For me this makes a lot of sense . When im playing with a nice cue that is worth much I am always worried about bumping it on the table creating a nick or scratch . This I feel distracts me and keeps me from concentrating on the game like I should . When playing with a cheaper cue I don't really care if I get a nick or scratch in it as I would not be out much and can then focus on my game and not my cue .

Larry

 

[Siz]

Try swapping the tips

I have been playing for a few years now and try to get the best quality products on the market. I have a Viking F87, Z2 shaft and sniper tip. A few months ago I bought a players sneaky pete so when people come over they are not using a high $ cue. I have been playing better with the sneaky pete than the cue that cost 10 times as much. Why is this?

A couple of weeks ago I found exactly the same thing. The house cue that I had been using quite a bit seemed to be playing significantly better than my own cue that I had custom made for me.

My first reaction was to find out what was the characteristic of the cheap cue that I was liking, and then to get a cue made for me that gave me that feel. But what made me scratch my head was that the two cues could not be more different: Different lengths, weight, tip size, taper joint etc etc. This was going to take some detective work!

But then it dawned on me: what I was really liking about the cheap cue was the much harder hit that I was getting from it - perhaps it could be the tip! I have used Elks all my life, but remembered reading that some of these layered tips play much harder. So, I swapped my tip for a Talisman pro and it was a real eye-opener! Immediately great results :thumbup:

Now I am not saying that a hard tip is the secret and that it will improve everyone's game - it won't. But, unless of course you are already using the same tip on both cues, it may be worth doing some experimenting.