IPT banning tip/ferrule combo?
- Thread starter X Breaker
- Start date
Hi, Richard. Hope all it well with you! 
I am no expert on tips and ferrules, but I did happen to notice a polite verbal exchange between Raj Hundal and his opponent during the IPT KOTH in Orlando as I was sitting railside.
Apparently, Raj was going to use one of his cues to shoot a shot, and his opponent -- I forget who it is now -- asked for a referee to look at the end of Raj's cue because he felt it did not adhere to the IPT rules for equipment.
There was a pause in the match as the referee looked at it, as did another IPT official, and it was determined at that instance that Raj, in fact, could NOT use this cue stick to execute the shot in question.
I'm not sure, but I believe it has something to do with a "leather tip." The Official IPT 8-Ball Rules state:
2.0 Cue Stick Specificiations
All cue sticks must meet the following specifications:
a. No shorter than 53" and no longer than 63"
b. No lighter than 15 ounces and no heavier than 25 ounces
c. Balance point at least 33" from the tip of the cue
d. Leather cue tip
Referees or IPT officials may inspect any cue at any time. If a cue that does not meet specifications is found being used by a player, it will result in an immediate loss of a game or more, depending on the magnitude of the offense. [edited punctuation for clarity]
JAM
I am no expert on tips and ferrules, but I did happen to notice a polite verbal exchange between Raj Hundal and his opponent during the IPT KOTH in Orlando as I was sitting railside.
Apparently, Raj was going to use one of his cues to shoot a shot, and his opponent -- I forget who it is now -- asked for a referee to look at the end of Raj's cue because he felt it did not adhere to the IPT rules for equipment.
There was a pause in the match as the referee looked at it, as did another IPT official, and it was determined at that instance that Raj, in fact, could NOT use this cue stick to execute the shot in question.
I'm not sure, but I believe it has something to do with a "leather tip." The Official IPT 8-Ball Rules state:
2.0 Cue Stick Specificiations
All cue sticks must meet the following specifications:
a. No shorter than 53" and no longer than 63"
b. No lighter than 15 ounces and no heavier than 25 ounces
c. Balance point at least 33" from the tip of the cue
d. Leather cue tip
Referees or IPT officials may inspect any cue at any time. If a cue that does not meet specifications is found being used by a player, it will result in an immediate loss of a game or more, depending on the magnitude of the offense. [edited punctuation for clarity]
JAM
thepavlos said:
Hey, if you want to take away the jump option, that's an easy way to really complicate it. The weight is another. I've fashioned a jump cue that works just great for me and that could fit the limitations of the IPT rules except for the weight and balance point restrictions. It involves using balsa wood for the butt, let your imagination figure out how easily you can make a cue that is long and very light still jump easily.
Having the balance point so far back with that 15 oz. minimum requirement will make jumping much tougher.
ICBW/JMHO
Flex
nipponbilliards said:
Raj was going to make a jump shot using a regular size cue,because no jump cues are allowed.When the ref checked the tip it was determined that it was not leather.He put the cue away and tried another shot.
What's the motivation for this rule? Players will have a separate break cue anyway -- why not allow them to have a special tip on it? If they don't want jump cues, then a weight and balance point requirement should be sufficient.
I think these rules by the IPT are good rules. It is the case in golf that the equipment and technology has gotten away from the regulators of the sport, and I believe that while it may not be hurting the game it is certainly making it hard to make courses that give the professional players a good test. I don't think there is that kind of room for technological advancement in pool, but why not nip the problem in the bud just in case? Let the players build a powerful break stroke without the use of special tips or ferrules.
Snapshot9 said:
Couldn't the rule be circumvented by an extraordinarily thin piece of leather over the one piece ferrule/tip.
I find it interesting that some people who have expressed views about how bad the rules against jump cues and non-leather tips were, don't seem to express that same opinion when the precious IPT is concerned. (This comment is NOT addressed at you or anybody in particular, just mentioning it here.)
bobroberts said:
Correct me if I am wrong here, but it was my understanding that no jump shots are allowd AT ALL in the IPT??? Or is it you have to jump with your playing cue? Or are you allowed to swap to your break cue to jump with if you want?
I am confused.
Shorty
Snapshot9 said:
My suggestion, based entirely on the idea and never having tried this, would be to take a regular if very lightweight cue, perhaps a sneaky pete or something really cheap for this experiment, around 17 ounces, cut the shaft off below the ferrule so you'll have the 53 inch minimum taken care of, install a brass ferrule, and a water buffalo tip that has been soaked in super glue and allowed to harden. Install the tip and shape it to a quarter's radius, and see if the thing jumps.
It's just a hunch, but I bet it will.
Flex
kyle said:
This is cut directly from the BCA webpage http://www.bca-pool.com/play/
POOL CUE SPECIFICATIONS:
Player may bring a maximum of 3 cue sticks to a match.
Width of tip: no minimum / 14 mm maximum
Weight: no minimum / 25 oz. maximum
Length: 40 inches minimum / no maximum
The cue tip may not be of a material that can scratch or damage the addressed ball. The cue tip on any stick must be composed of a piece of specially processed leather or other fibrous or pliable material that extends the natural line of the shaft end of the cue and contacts the cue ball when the shot is executed.
The ferrule, if of a metal material, may not be more than 1 inch in length.
Shorty ...
I see 3 possibles - A 3 piece jump cue with hard leather tip (40",53")
A 1 piece jump cue , 53" with hard leather tip
A 4 piece Break/Jump cue with hard leather tip
(58"B, 53"J, 40"J)
Now we know where our next cue is coming from? .... lol
Shorty said:
I see 3 possibles - A 3 piece jump cue with hard leather tip (40",53")
A 1 piece jump cue , 53" with hard leather tip
A 4 piece Break/Jump cue with hard leather tip
(58"B, 53"J, 40"J)
Now we know where our next cue is coming from? .... lol
I dont see where its a big deal, Ive never owned a jump cue, and have never used a plastic tip, and jump shots arent that hard to do.. I mean, there are rails, and kick shots are alot easier to master.. IMO.. There are times where a jump shot is needed, Maybe its time I showed the fellow AZ'ers an Idea I worked on for several years.. I came up with a couple trick shots, Jumping a whole ball, a nice lil curve and I hit the rail first.. I call it the JUMP KICK... might prove handy considering the IPT's rules... 
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