Is it a cue or just a "stick"?

[Inzombiac]

I am genuinely perplexed. I have never owned a quality cue. I used to have a cheapo cue from Academy that met a greivous end. So for the past 5 months or so I have been playing with a house cue, which looks as if it has been whittled. My confusion lies in the fact that since I started using a house cue my game has actually IMPROVED, not just for a game, but consistently. My team is at the top of our league right now and I've been using a house cue the entire time. So is it the cue that really matters, or the man? Some people pay tons of cash for the beautifully crafted cues that I would buy, if anything, for their artistic and aesthetic value, but do they really improve your game?

Maybe its my newness to the game and my inability to understand or even notice little things that go on during a shot, but I'd like to know ...what is it that makes a particular cue better than another? And i don't mean utilitarian traits like "it lasts longer" or "less warpage" but what is it, from shot the shot, that makes one cue different from another?

 

[Black-Balled]

...I used to have a cheapo cue from Academy that met a greivous end...but I'd like to know ...what is it that makes a particular cue better than another?...

I will tell you which is best after you tell me what the best car is.

Now the 'cheapo cue from Academy that met a greivous end', THAT is what I am ready to hear about!

 

[Donovan]

Using a cue for the first time, will make you concentrate more. It doesn't matter how old or new it is. You concentrate so hard with it, because you are seeing how it is working for you. Your sub-conscience will make you give your best effort.

The second thing that I have noticed is that for longevity success with a cue, it must be one that feels good to you and that gives you psychological confidence. Looks, feel, sound, and touch are all apart of what will make you say, "this is the cue I want."

In Addition, if you find a cue you like, buy that one, not one made just like it or the same model. Just get the one in your hands. Many cues play slightly different for many reasons, so get the one that you have in your hands if it is striking a chord with you.

I know this all sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo, but I think you will find that many here will confirm this.

Geesh, I wrote more than I intended. I hope it was helpful.

 

[Inzombiac]

Now the 'cheapo cue from Academy that met a greivous end', THAT is what I am ready to hear about!

Well I had just reacquired it after leaving it at Dave and Buster's one Sunday after a few hours practice. The nice people saw that i left it and since me and my buddy used to go there all the time they snatched it up before someone could steal it. I go to Eddie's to play on Monday and I had just read up on better power breaking technique and I wanted to try it out. Back then I didn't know not to break with your playing cue so I grabbed my cheapo and got ready to shoot. Now, the cheapo had always made a high pitched "ping" noise when I made contact, but when I lined up and torqued my body for that first power break, it vibrated so bad that people stopped games tables away from the high pitched noise it made. It was near dog level actually... it made me turn my head to the side like one too. The break was awesome though... dropped 3 and had a good spread. But when I examined the tip of my cue, not only was the tip actually pushed in and cracked, but it was cracked right underneath the ferrule also. It never played the same after that. Twas fiberglass... yuck. I guess we all learn from our mistakes.

 

[Cornerman]

So is it the cue that really matters, or the man?

It's not a an "or" question. A decent cue is nothing without a good shooter behind it.

A good shooter can only get so far without a quality cue. Most of that needed quality is, IMO, the tip and ferrule. The rest is balance, weight, taper, and vibration, which is very individual.


So, sure you can find a house cue that feels right, put a good tip on it and do extremely well (the old broomstick story). But, if you had the chance to play against yourself, you'd want to find the cue that feels the best to you and allows you to maximize your potential. Or you can buy a cue with reported quality and take house cue variability out of the equation. That shouldn't cost more than $150. Sometimes you'll get fortunate and find something for less.

There's a reason why bowlers have their own balls, even though any professional caliber bowler can beat the pants off of any casual player using any ball off the rack. Same with dart throwers And even the old "it's not the arrow, it's the Indian" saying, any good archer is going to be very particular about his arrows, and his bows for that matter.

Fred

 

[jhendri2]

Go see Richard at The Billiard Factory on San Pedro. He has several production models in stock up to some custom makers. You can the difference for yourself.

Does it make a difference having your own cue, yes. You get used to the wrap, the balance, the tip, the shaft taper, the deflection, etc etc. This gives you less to worry about when playing.

Jim

 

[Hierovision]

when I examined the tip of my cue, not only was the tip actually pushed in and cracked, but it was cracked right underneath the ferrule also. It never played the same after that. Twas fiberglass... yuck. I guess we all learn from our mistakes.

cuepooned, is what that's called I believe. lol

 

[ShootingArts]

tap tap tap

There can be a dozen "identical" cues on the wall. Maybe one that matches your style of play and how you expect a stick to move the ball. Buy one of the other eleven and it will be a battle to get to where you are the first day with the one that sings.

Hu

Using a cue for the first time, will make you concentrate more. It doesn't matter how old or new it is. You concentrate so hard with it, because you are seeing how it is working for you. Your sub-conscience will make you give your best effort.

The second thing that I have noticed is that for longevity success with a cue, it must be one that feels good to you and that gives you psychological confidence. Looks, feel, sound, and touch are all apart of what will make you say, "this is the cue I want."

In Addition, if you find a cue you like, buy that one, not one made just like it or the same model. Just get the one in your hands. Many cues play slightly different for many reasons, so get the one that you have in your hands if it is striking a chord with you.

I know this all sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo, but I think you will find that many here will confirm this.

Geesh, I wrote more than I intended. I hope it was helpful.

 

[Snapshot9]

Is

a $40 Hooker as good a $500 Hooker. Well, that is subjective too, but I guarantee you it will be a much nicer experience with the $500 Hooker, and you won't have to close your eyes while doing it ... lol