Is this everything a beginning pool player needs?
- Thread starter Push&Pool
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All you need is a cue with a tip on it !
Don't believe the hype it is the Indian not the arrow
The only thing you need for improvement is PRACTICE ! IMHO
Don't believe the hype it is the Indian not the arrow
The only thing you need for improvement is PRACTICE ! IMHO
Of course it is, so let me rephrase the question: Is this everything the Indian needs to maintain his arrow in a good shape and keep it usable?
Why would you need sandpaper on a cue? Unless you are a repairman leave the stuff on the shelf at the store.
Don't think sand paper, think polishing paper. When I'm done playing, and my hands are really dirty, I'll use the paper towel(don't want it wet, just slightly damp) I used to dry my hands with to wipe down my shaft and tip. Then I'll use the polishing paper for a few strokes, followed by the leather pad rather aggressively. The shafts ready to go for the next round of play.:thumbup2: You don't have to do this every-time, just when it starts to bother you, which could be every-time, if you're that sensitive/OCD to the feel. Don't put your shaft back in the case without wiping the chalk off the tip, it's an abrasive. Over time it'll accumulate in your case and work its way into your shaft and ferrule. I'm a little OCD about that and I don't like seeing chalk on the inside of a case.
In the last league session ( my 2nd season playing pool) I decided to put my "expensive" cue away and shoot only with house sticks off the wall. The only thing I brought to league competition was a tip tapper and chalk. I played with cues of different weights, different lengths (i am 6'2" tall), cues with flat tips, hard tips, you get the idea. I won the last 8 matches straight and went undefeated throughout the playoffs.
In short, it was practicing so much that told me the things that I needed to know about my gear, my stance, my stroke and aiming. Time at the table is experience- particularly if you maintain a heightened sense of awareness and attempt to learn something from every shot you make by actively paying attention to what you are doing.
Finally, Gerard Soriano's advice a few posts back says it best and in fewer word:
In short, it was practicing so much that told me the things that I needed to know about my gear, my stance, my stroke and aiming. Time at the table is experience- particularly if you maintain a heightened sense of awareness and attempt to learn something from every shot you make by actively paying attention to what you are doing.
Finally, Gerard Soriano's advice a few posts back says it best and in fewer word:
I've got two shafts. One used 2000 sandpaper on and one that just has beed sealed an nothing more.
The sealed one is way smoother than the sanded one and doesn't seem to get as dirty as the sanded one.
I suggest having the shaft sealed my cue repairman and keep your hands clean while playing, it's that simple. Plus, even with 2000 grit, you are still removing material and the size of the shaft will change over time. Both shafts started the same size, the sanded one is smaller than the sealed one.
This is one nice thing about pool, you don't need much nor expense equipment to play. I have one cue I play with, bought for 400.00 and only change was to a stack leather wrap. I got lucky and picked the right cue first time.
And it will never be outdated in terms of how well it plays.
The sealed one is way smoother than the sanded one and doesn't seem to get as dirty as the sanded one.
I suggest having the shaft sealed my cue repairman and keep your hands clean while playing, it's that simple. Plus, even with 2000 grit, you are still removing material and the size of the shaft will change over time. Both shafts started the same size, the sanded one is smaller than the sealed one.
This is one nice thing about pool, you don't need much nor expense equipment to play. I have one cue I play with, bought for 400.00 and only change was to a stack leather wrap. I got lucky and picked the right cue first time.
And it will never be outdated in terms of how well it plays.
First four items on your list is all you need. That and a lot of practice time. Develop the ability to also learn by watching better players play as well. Don't read too much into all folks that will come along, see you're new and want to teach you how to make every shot. Pick one or two things each play session and work on committing them to memory. Play 3-4 times a week and you'll be amazed at how quickly your knowledge of the game will ramp up.
My budget was 50$ and I already bought all the items listed above. I wanted to check if I left something out. Anyway, I feel a chalk holder will come in handy as I don't want the chalk in my accessory pocket of my soft case. I'm gonna need reserve tips and sandpaper, and I can always give some pieces of chalk to a friend. Thanks for the replies.
I agree with this. The cheap microfiber towels you get at auto patts store work great. They pull any moisture or oil from the shaft and your hands with ease.
To original poster....you keep saying something about sandpaper. Why? Leave it it the garage. Instead get a leather burnishing pad. Far better results without removing and material from shaft. I will stress this again.....FORGET THE SANDPAPER!
I wish your signature was also quoted. You say its the indian not the arrow, but your signature says "knows nothing about cues, never will". So to continue the analogy, you're saying you know nothing about arrows, and simultaneously advocating that the differences between arrows is not important. Not very consistent there.
If the new indian learns to play with a nice bow, he may shave some time off the learning curve.
KMRUNOUT
One tool I highly recommend is the Kamui Gator Grip tip tool. It is really just a flat piece of wood with a steel micro abrasive surface. The idea is to *ROLL* the tip on it. You don't scuff or scrape. Just roll it. It will put a very subtle texture on the surface without removing material. You can use it pretty often without wearing your tip down. Particularly effective for layered tips like the Everest that comes on your new Action cue haha.
Hope this helps! Good luck and enjoy this awesome game!
Edit: I second the microfiber towel idea!
KMRUNOUT
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I second that! Do not use the sandpaper!!! Use some wax and a leather pad to burnish the shaft. You don't need the wax but it will clean your stick and make it feel like glass after you burnish it. All you need is a cue and a chase really for starting out and maybe a little bit of maintenance stuff depending on how much you play.