Those are the exact numbers I'd use for my own successes. That said, my jumper isn't on par with today's offerings, so I tend to kick at more balls then most that would be happy to grab the short stick.
Jump sticks have changed the game
- Thread starter u12armresl
- Start date
Agreed... The immensely greater amount of control a jump stick provides the player is a step toward better condition tables everywhere. Dollars to donuts that damage you see "everywhere" is from people jamming full length cues into the cloth.
Good idea... not going to happen. Hell we can't even get people to bath and put on a clean shirt before playing in major tournament.
I own a jump cue.It is 20 years old.I rarely use it.I like the challenge of kicking so unless I really have no chance to kick and get a hit,I will jump.(Doesn't mean it will be a successful jump).Depends alot on how important the game and match are.If I am playing for fun,I won't use a jump cue.
John the Barber Naples
New member
I have always thought that making a 'jump' shot was just terrible form, that if my opponent had done his or her math homework, they would never need to resort to such a shot? Still, to each his own, and in all fairness i should also add that ive never played for large sums of money!
That's my point exactly. For every well executed jump shot, make or safety, you see, at the very least, two, if not more, scratches or sell outs. That's at the pro level.
I love when my opponent pulls out a jump cue. I know I'm most likely coming to the table with the advantage. I don't feel outrage that some c player was so easily able to escape a soft safety. If I didn't want them to jump I would have played the safety differently. There are players that I'll play safeties to force them to jump. They may make the ball 1 out of 10 at best, I'll take those odds.
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I have also seen some extraordinary jump shots in some very high pressure situations. I have also, without a doubt, seen more of them missed, typically leading to the incoming player having the advantage. Whether the jump directly led to a loss of the match, can be debated. It still up to the incoming player to execute. At the top level the player with upper hand typically wins.
I'm also happy for you that you feel like you're a God at jumping balls, congrats. The best players in the world don't jump as well as you, it seems.
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I don't know. I'm noticing that pros are opting to try and kick safe on a lot of shots where jumping is a viable option. They're also executing return safeties quite often. Neither situation, having to jump or kick, has you at an advantage. The only thing you can do is to make the choice that minimizes the chance of a poor outcome. If the jump is 20% and the kick is 30%, the kick is probably the better option, imo.
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I think a lot of the reason why people are against jump shots is mosly whining, like the reason why people want call-shot in every game. They're angry that some player they thought should not be able to escape a snooker, did. I've seen plenty of people become instant converts to the call shot angry mob, when a player slopped a ball in against them. There is a good defense against this kind of anger, and that's to become better than those people, and not give them unnecessary chances by playing mediocre and poor safeties. Also, don't assume that you know what a player can and cannot do, especially underestimating, or you're bound to be negatively surprised at the least opportune moment.
I see a certain connection between people who play very negatively and passively and simultanously are all about call-shot and no jumps, it's doesn't apply to all, but a sizeable chunk of them. These people think they can just play the game mathematically and they'll always win. Some of them are kind of lazy and complacent about their game, never working much on their physical skills. They forget that this isn't chess, but a physical game. Like in martial arts, if you can't punch hard, if you're weak as a kitten, you'll lose to opponents who know less than you. You can't leave people half chances, because people will take advantage at least some of the time. Sadly, sometimes you play someone in dead stroke, and the maths doesn't work the way you think. You're rarely going to win playing passively against good competition and you need to be able to shoot to win.
These people are attacking their problem at the wrong end. They want to stop others from doing things, that they instead ought to learn how to do themselves and they refuse to change their strategy to the realities in the field. That never works out.
I see a certain connection between people who play very negatively and passively and simultanously are all about call-shot and no jumps, it's doesn't apply to all, but a sizeable chunk of them. These people think they can just play the game mathematically and they'll always win. Some of them are kind of lazy and complacent about their game, never working much on their physical skills. They forget that this isn't chess, but a physical game. Like in martial arts, if you can't punch hard, if you're weak as a kitten, you'll lose to opponents who know less than you. You can't leave people half chances, because people will take advantage at least some of the time. Sadly, sometimes you play someone in dead stroke, and the maths doesn't work the way you think. You're rarely going to win playing passively against good competition and you need to be able to shoot to win.
These people are attacking their problem at the wrong end. They want to stop others from doing things, that they instead ought to learn how to do themselves and they refuse to change their strategy to the realities in the field. That never works out.
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You and I definitely agree on this point. It does take a lot skill to properly execute jump shots that work in your favor. I'm all for jump cues. They add excitement to the game, plain and simple.
I think most people get butt hurt that they're less than optimal safeties are easier to escape from.
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Sure. And vice versa.
I have a jump cue but quit using it for the reason you describe. I've gotten better with escapes off a rail or two since I put it back in the case. Just found out there's a pool hall near me with a billiard table that gets a lot of use. I plan on going there to see if those guys will mentor me in the hopes that my pool game will improve.
3C is an awesome game. You'll learn a lot.
There's definitively a skill to kicking and it goes well beyond just making contact. The vast, and mean vast majority of players regardless of it's kicking or jumping are just hoping to make contact and get lucky.
There's a whole other level of table IQ when it comes to kicking into return safeties. Certainly nothing wrong with digging deep into that part of the game. Just like utilizing a jump stick when the right situation arises.
I don't think I know of another sport where people willingly handicap themselves by refusing to use legal equipment. Do you know where they don't have this discussion? In Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Europe, and well everywhere outside the United States. Why? Because those players use the world rules and are fully able to develop their skills without being shit on and told they are weak for using jump cues.
When is the last time an American junior player won a world championship? Or an American adult?
In this case it is my opinion that correlation is part of causation. The fact that STILL there are so many backwards opinions about jump cues in America which leads to rule variations that players have to contend with is part of why American players are generally behind the rest of the world for average skill levels.
It's truly nuts to me. I don't understand it. To me this is like the people who might have whined about chalk by telling those who used chalk that they weren't really skilled unless they could play without that Magical Twisting Powder.
When is the last time an American junior player won a world championship? Or an American adult?
In this case it is my opinion that correlation is part of causation. The fact that STILL there are so many backwards opinions about jump cues in America which leads to rule variations that players have to contend with is part of why American players are generally behind the rest of the world for average skill levels.
It's truly nuts to me. I don't understand it. To me this is like the people who might have whined about chalk by telling those who used chalk that they weren't really skilled unless they could play without that Magical Twisting Powder.
You're actually trying to link jump cues and whether or not US players have won a WC lately? You've got your opinion, BELEIVE me we get it. Not everyone shares it. DerbyCity is probably one of if not THE most anticipated/attended tournament there is and they don't allow them. Are you going to call Diamond and tell them you won't attend the next one 'cause they don't allow jump cues? The reason(s) that US players are behind the rest of the world has nothing to do with jump cues. Lack of junior players and too many bar-box events maybe but not any so-called 'backwards' opinion about jump cues.