Is it pretentious to play with a certain cue?
- Thread starter dom_poppa
- Start date
yes or no?
Example, some guy in the APA is showing off this monster cue of his that he's paid thousands of dollars for but can't shoot a lick. I have seen people talk about this fella and it's nothing nice.
versus
The house pro that has a nice simple shooter cue that runs racks.
I guess there's shooters and collectors. Nothing wrong with both but as I'm phasing out of pool...I wondered what got into me when I bought some of my cues.
This is the "hired gun" that was going to knock off the break and runs across the country? Now he's quitting pool? I think our cash is still safe.
It's a catch 22... Typically, if you can afford a super-cue, you work enough to not be a champion. If you spend enough time on your pool game to become a champion, you may not be able to afford the monster cue (or realistically, you buy it after a big score and sell it to cover bills 2 weeks later).
I just enjoy looking fancy while rearranging pool balls on a table. What's wrong with that?
I just enjoy looking fancy while rearranging pool balls on a table. What's wrong with that?
yes or no?
Example, some guy in the APA is showing off this monster cue of his that he's paid thousands of dollars for but can't shoot a lick. I have seen people talk about this fella and it's nothing nice.
versus
The house pro that has a nice simple shooter cue that runs racks.
I guess there's shooters and collectors. Nothing wrong with both but as I'm phasing out of pool...I wondered what got into me when I bought some of my cues.
NO. You got the money,,,,spend it. Just don't act like an @-hole.
yes or no?
Example, some guy in the APA is showing off this monster cue of his that he's paid thousands of dollars for but can't shoot a lick. I have seen people talk about this fella and it's nothing nice.
versus
The house pro that has a nice simple shooter cue that runs racks.
I guess there's shooters and collectors. Nothing wrong with both but as I'm phasing out of pool...I wondered what got into me when I bought some of my cues.
When I'm feeling really pretentious I shoot with a house cue.
If you are a CHAMPION You aren't buying your cues.
Looking fancy is fine, just as long as you aren't lookin' stupid at the same time
that's just wrongWe used to laugh at the guys with the $100 cues and the 10 cent game.
I'm guessing most still do
I worked really hard to be able to afford my cue. It's made to my specs and I am incredibly happy with how it plays. If someone actually has the interest to ask...I'll tell them the maker, but I certainly do not advertise the cue's worth, or that the inlays are not decals...LoL. Too many nefarious types looking for the next item to snatch to supply their habit with...so I keep it low key.
Is it pretentious when a bad golfer shows up on the links with the best equipment in a high end bag?
In this day and age...it's all about keeping up with the Joneses for many folks....but that doesn't make it pretentious.
Is it pretentious when a bad golfer shows up on the links with the best equipment in a high end bag?
In this day and age...it's all about keeping up with the Joneses for many folks....but that doesn't make it pretentious.
I used to kind of look down on guys who never run out before but get a 220 buck predator or OB shaft for their cue. But the more I think about it... it's ideal to own that shaft while you're still new at pool. You don't need to be a great player to understand the concept of deflection or why one shaft might be preferred over another. And if the shaft's selling point is it makes aiming shots with english a bit easier, who needs more help with that? The guy who's still learning or the guy who's been hitting shots with english for 20 years?
Also, if you start out learning with your preferred expensive cue... and stick to it for a decade or two... by the time you're skilled enough to "deserve it" you'll have a very high level of feel and consistency with your cue. Maybe more than someone who started with a house cue, moved to a 50 dollar walmart screwtip, moved to a 200 dollar player, then to a 400 dollar mcdermott, then to a LD shaft, then finally to some 4-digit cue with the LD shaft or even some entirely new custom shaft.
Also, if you start out learning with your preferred expensive cue... and stick to it for a decade or two... by the time you're skilled enough to "deserve it" you'll have a very high level of feel and consistency with your cue. Maybe more than someone who started with a house cue, moved to a 50 dollar walmart screwtip, moved to a 200 dollar player, then to a 400 dollar mcdermott, then to a LD shaft, then finally to some 4-digit cue with the LD shaft or even some entirely new custom shaft.
:thumbup::lol::killingme:
there was this guy back at pegs pocket in miami in the 1980s that really couldnt play a lick but went out and bought a $1200 richard black. He use to show it off and I remember we use to think he was pretentious for buying such an expensive cue when he couldnt make a ball. Then a few months later he left the cue in his trunk (in florida summer heat) and when he remembered it a few days later it looked like WC Fields cue.
I have around 70 cues. I kind of part collect. I have collected more as my playing level has dropped. I love to play with beautiful or antique cues but ONLY if they play well.
With me it's not pretension it's love and appreciation of craftsmanship.
The only people I can't understand are the bangers why buy a super cue expecting to take their game up a notch. I used to work in the golf industry at the time Nick Price was winning majors with a "Flex-Twist" driver. That driver was approximately 20 times the cost of a half hour lesson.
Guys who could not play a lick, 8 or 9 handicappers were buying these drivers when the lesson would have been much more beneficial.
This applies equally to cues and cue sports.
With me it's not pretension it's love and appreciation of craftsmanship.
The only people I can't understand are the bangers why buy a super cue expecting to take their game up a notch. I used to work in the golf industry at the time Nick Price was winning majors with a "Flex-Twist" driver. That driver was approximately 20 times the cost of a half hour lesson.
Guys who could not play a lick, 8 or 9 handicappers were buying these drivers when the lesson would have been much more beneficial.
This applies equally to cues and cue sports.
I don't know about pretentious,but I do know about intimidation.
When i walk into "Hanks" and pull out the mighty Lucasi the guys become very quiet.They all try to hide the Martinez,McFaddens,Joss,Schons,Kikels,Judds Sugartrees and what ever else they have.
When i walk into "Hanks" and pull out the mighty Lucasi the guys become very quiet.They all try to hide the Martinez,McFaddens,Joss,Schons,Kikels,Judds Sugartrees and what ever else they have.
Im sure that there are people out there whose game is rated way below that of the quality cue that they carry and play with. In that circumstance I suppose the idea of being pretentious comes into play. But if your a strong rated player I see nothing wrong with investing in quality equipment to reflect your level of committment to the game. In my case I carry some expensive cues. I dont talk up the types of cues I carry, but if anyone bothers to ask what I am playing with I tell them. If they ask what the cue costs I tell them. I dont hold back anything about what I play with, why I choose to use what I do and when.
For lower ranked players that maybe research cues and become familiar with names of cue makers, and find that they are playing me and learn what I am shooting with, it may add a bit of intimidation against them when we play. If thats the case, well then thats a problem for my opponent to deal with, not me.
Acting prententiously over what you shoot with when your game skill does not back up your playing equipment is kinda stupid. But if your a strong player, your going to let you game speak for itself. And if a high quality cue can add a small bit of initimadation to your opponent in a match with the rest of your game, well then I dont see a problem with that. A big chunk of what it takes to win consistently beyond solid skills is having a solid mental game as well. If you can add subtle intimidating hints to your opponent about your game that weakens your opponents mental control during a match well then that just makes things that much easier for you to win doesn't it.
When I played in my APA leagues I collected 117 patch awards. All of which I had sewn onto a Dead Stroke denim jacket. I always made it a point to wear that jacket each night of APA play. I never talked about the jacket unless someone else brought it up. But the jacket showed to everyone in the room my record of success in the league and served as a nice subtle intimidation tool when it came time for someone to play a match against me. Some may consider how I used the jacket as a bit pretentious. But for me the jacket served as a proud record of what I achieved, and if anyone else in the league found themselves intimidated by what those awards represented when it came time for them to play against me, well then thats an issue of intimidation that my opponent has to deal with mentally, isn't it?
For lower ranked players that maybe research cues and become familiar with names of cue makers, and find that they are playing me and learn what I am shooting with, it may add a bit of intimidation against them when we play. If thats the case, well then thats a problem for my opponent to deal with, not me.
Acting prententiously over what you shoot with when your game skill does not back up your playing equipment is kinda stupid. But if your a strong player, your going to let you game speak for itself. And if a high quality cue can add a small bit of initimadation to your opponent in a match with the rest of your game, well then I dont see a problem with that. A big chunk of what it takes to win consistently beyond solid skills is having a solid mental game as well. If you can add subtle intimidating hints to your opponent about your game that weakens your opponents mental control during a match well then that just makes things that much easier for you to win doesn't it.
When I played in my APA leagues I collected 117 patch awards. All of which I had sewn onto a Dead Stroke denim jacket. I always made it a point to wear that jacket each night of APA play. I never talked about the jacket unless someone else brought it up. But the jacket showed to everyone in the room my record of success in the league and served as a nice subtle intimidation tool when it came time for someone to play a match against me. Some may consider how I used the jacket as a bit pretentious. But for me the jacket served as a proud record of what I achieved, and if anyone else in the league found themselves intimidated by what those awards represented when it came time for them to play against me, well then thats an issue of intimidation that my opponent has to deal with mentally, isn't it?
Im sure that there are people out there whose game is rated way below that of the quality cue that they carry and play with. In that circumstance I suppose the idea of being pretentious comes into play. But if your a strong rated player I see nothing wrong with investing in quality equipment to reflect your level of committment to the game. In my case I carry some expensive cues. I dont talk up the types of cues I carry, but if anyone bothers to ask what I am playing with I tell them. If they ask what the cue costs I tell them. I dont hold back anything about what I play with, why I choose to use what I do and when.
For lower ranked players that maybe research cues and become familiar with names of cue makers, and find that they are playing me and learn what I am shooting with, it may add a bit of intimidation against them when we play. If thats the case, well then thats a problem for my opponent to deal with, not me.
Acting prententiously over what you shoot with when your game skill does not back up your playing equipment is kinda stupid. But if your a strong player, your going to let you game speak for itself. And if a high quality cue can add a small bit of initimadation to your opponent in a match with the rest of your game, well then I dont see a problem with that. A big chunk of what it takes to win consistently beyond solid skills is having a solid mental game as well. If you can add subtle intimidating hints to your opponent about your game that weakens your opponents mental control during a match well then that just makes things that much easier for you to win doesn't it.
When I played in my APA leagues I collected 117 patch awards. All of which I had sewn onto a Dead Stroke denim jacket. I always made it a point to wear that jacket each night of APA play. I never talked about the jacket unless someone else brought it up. But the jacket showed to everyone in the room my record of success in the league and served as a nice subtle intimidation tool when it came time for someone to play a match against me. Some may consider how I used the jacket as a bit pretentious. But for me the jacket served as a proud record of what I achieved, and if anyone else in the league found themselves intimidated by what those awards represented when it came time for them to play against me, well then thats an issue of intimidation that my opponent has to deal with mentally, isn't it?
You DO realize that everytime you post, I click on your work website? All I can say is that I must not go to the right places when I'm in Medford. They sure aren't anything like the ladies of my neighborhood!
pre·ten·tious/priˈtenCHəs/ AdjectiveAttempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed
its not the cue thats pretentious its the person playing with it
inho
if the player just plays and doesnt call attention to his cue its not pretentious
whatever knowledgeable people in the room think
ie
this guy has a 2- 10 thousand cue and cant run 2 balls
doesnt matter
the player is not flaunting it
and if he can afford it
you only live once:smile:
icbw
its not the cue thats pretentious its the person playing with it
inho
if the player just plays and doesnt call attention to his cue its not pretentious
whatever knowledgeable people in the room think
ie
this guy has a 2- 10 thousand cue and cant run 2 balls
doesnt matter
the player is not flaunting it
and if he can afford it
you only live once:smile:
icbw
Maybe not pretentious, but it's definetely a case of conspicious consumption. Just as a beginning guitar player shouldn't buy an expensive instrument, the banger pool player has no good reason to own an expensive cue. Long time players that could never afford one are going to be jealous, other bangers envious. The best part is the owner of the cue can't tell the difference anyway.
Collecting cues is a different matter altogether. A cue collector playing with one of his prizes gets kudos for showing off what the average joe otherwise never gets to see.
Collecting cues is a different matter altogether. A cue collector playing with one of his prizes gets kudos for showing off what the average joe otherwise never gets to see.
You DO realize that everytime you post, I click on your work website? All I can say is that I must not go to the right places when I'm in Medford. They sure aren't anything like the ladies of my neighborhood!
Actually nearly all my model clients live in Vegas, or So. Cal. Ive only had 2 regular model clients that have lived in Medford. One of them moved to Texas a few years ago. But the other one that still lives here in Medford I see her quite often. But I have had a couple of my model clients come into Medford for multi-day shoots with me, and I have done shoots around Medford, in some of the local parks like Bear Creek, and have done shoots at some of the regional lakes. Doing shoots around here locally gets kinda of a drag though for the fact that everytime I have done a local shoot I have to contend with the local police showing up to "inquire" what is going on? I mean really my model clients still have some form of clothes on when I shoot them, jeessshhhhh....
The next time you know your coming to medford PM me and let me know. We can arrange a meet at Rackem and play some.
People who brag about the prices of their gear are bound to get robbed either on the table or otherwise.
I usually ask them to play for the cue while saying the cost as loudly as I can...
most guys figure out pretty quickly that a plain Jane and a closed mouth.. last a lot longer than the braggart and his gina
I usually ask them to play for the cue while saying the cost as loudly as I can...
most guys figure out pretty quickly that a plain Jane and a closed mouth.. last a lot longer than the braggart and his gina
Im sure that there are people out there whose game is rated way below that of the quality cue that they carry and play with. In that circumstance I suppose the idea of being pretentious comes into play. But if your a strong rated player I see nothing wrong with investing in quality equipment to reflect your level of committment to the game. In my case I carry some expensive cues. I dont talk up the types of cues I carry, but if anyone bothers to ask what I am playing with I tell them. If they ask what the cue costs I tell them. I dont hold back anything about what I play with, why I choose to use what I do and when.
For lower ranked players that maybe research cues and become familiar with names of cue makers, and find that they are playing me and learn what I am shooting with, it may add a bit of intimidation against them when we play. If thats the case, well then thats a problem for my opponent to deal with, not me.
Acting prententiously over what you shoot with when your game skill does not back up your playing equipment is kinda stupid. But if your a strong player, your going to let you game speak for itself. And if a high quality cue can add a small bit of initimadation to your opponent in a match with the rest of your game, well then I dont see a problem with that. A big chunk of what it takes to win consistently beyond solid skills is having a solid mental game as well. If you can add subtle intimidating hints to your opponent about your game that weakens your opponents mental control during a match well then that just makes things that much easier for you to win doesn't it.
When I played in my APA leagues I collected 117 patch awards. All of which I had sewn onto a Dead Stroke denim jacket. I always made it a point to wear that jacket each night of APA play. I never talked about the jacket unless someone else brought it up. But the jacket showed to everyone in the room my record of success in the league and served as a nice subtle intimidation tool when it came time for someone to play a match against me. Some may consider how I used the jacket as a bit pretentious. But for me the jacket served as a proud record of what I achieved, and if anyone else in the league found themselves intimidated by what those awards represented when it came time for them to play against me, well then thats an issue of intimidation that my opponent has to deal with mentally, isn't it?
i am an average league player, an apa 5 for the record. last year i bought a custom that cost a few thousand. i did not buy it to say " hey guys look at me ". i also did not buy it because i thought it would make me a better player. i bought it simply because i liked the looks of it. i do not show it off when i play with it but i have people come up to me a lot and ask me about it.
i do not feel intimidated at all by some one just because of the cue they use or carry with them. i know there are plenty of guys that can beat me like a red headed step child with any old house cue so the type or brand of cue my opponent uses dont matter to me at all.
i have only been playing apa for about 20 months now and have amassed qiute a few patches so far. i have never bothered to count them but a pretty accurate guess would be around 50. they are all stashed in a drawer in my game room. there are a few people in league that have glued a few patches on their cheap cases but not to the extent you have
on your jacket.
your jacket reminds me of a player i faced at my singles regionals this year. i left my custom at home because i was going to a town where i had never been and knew no one that was playing. i was not taking a chance on it getting stolen or damaged. it would be financially hard to replace it.
i took my unknown make 40.00 pawn shop find that i used to break with and my 8 year old viking and a 35.00 vinyl case. in the semi finals i face this guy with a nice instroke case with about 50 or 60 patches on 2 big hog rings attached to the towel ring on his case. he pulls out his predator bk2 and a pat deviney custom. i beat him 4-0. my bad, i forgot to be intimidated by all his subtle intimidation tools
yes or no?
Example, some guy in the APA is showing off this monster cue of his that he's paid thousands of dollars for but can't shoot a lick. I have seen people talk about this fella and it's nothing nice.
versus
The house pro that has a nice simple shooter cue that runs racks.
I guess there's shooters and collectors. Nothing wrong with both but as I'm phasing out of pool...I wondered what got into me when I bought some of my cues.
It all comes down to how big your pockets are, or how big you want people to think they are!!
It is just like everything else some people have to make a big impression, and they forget what is really important.
It is just like the people who have a Flashy Car with 22 inch low profile tires and wheels. They spent $20,000 on tires and rims alone, live in a trailer eating TV dinners and have children with dirty diapers
:shrug::shrug:I mean what do these people think that no one will ever figure out that they are all show and no go???:smile:
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