Lagging with cue ball?
- Thread starter jaime_lion
- Start date
Wiping the CB and the bottom of sneakers before entering play both have potentially huge impact.
As they say, it won't make you win, but not doing it might make you lose.
I have witnessed the reason lower-level players can't improve and it is dumb.
And a meatball can roll quite far.
Not always. Magnets and optical sensors can also discern cb/ ob from each other.
You bet. There is a whole song about it.
We have been told to not use the cue ball to lag in APA. I cannot tell you the "why" of it, nor do I care. There are 15 other balls, and it really shouldn't be an issue. Tho I expect what someone above was mentioning regarding some barbox cueballs being different and such probably has something to do with it.
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Pro events, at least those with refs, tend to use a cueball for lagging. When using the colored balls it may also be easier to see where the edges are to see who won.
Here is the setup from a Mosconi Cup
This is a US open from 2008, using two darker object balls
More recent US open, using two cueballs
Here is the setup from a Mosconi Cup
This is a US open from 2008, using two darker object balls
More recent US open, using two cueballs
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Pro events, at least those with refs, tend to use a cueball for lagging. When using the colored balls it may also be easier to see where the edges are to see who won.
Here is the setup from a Mosconi Cup
This is a US open from 2008, using two darker object balls
More recent US open, using two cueballs
I guess the difference is that there are 2 cue balls vs one cue ball and one object ball.
Where is the one cue ball and one object ball??? I must be blind.
And yet one can feel the dirt on the "non dirt attracting balls" in the ball box on a barbox.
Usually the cue ball that comes in a new set of pool balls is the same weight as the other object balls.
But cue balls can definitely vary in weight when it is a replacement. There are several different styles.
The weight difference could be slight but it can also be very drastic so it depends on you like to play with.
Keep in mind that different brands and types of cue balls will not weigh the same and can play differently.
But cue balls can definitely vary in weight when it is a replacement. There are several different styles.
The weight difference could be slight but it can also be very drastic so it depends on you like to play with.
Keep in mind that different brands and types of cue balls will not weigh the same and can play differently.
‘Fairness’ would seem to indicate that if two identical cueballs are not available, then both players should lag with similar (solids preferably?) object balls.
BTW: This ‘lag’ issue is just another example of weirdly unspecified issues in the rules of billiards. What about the timing of the lag itself? Is there any advantage to letting your opponent shoot first? Though the rules specify the lag should be ‘simultaneous’, what authority is the referee given re: any penalty to a player that obviously balks? Or, could your opponent gain any advantage (disconcerting surprise?) by rushing the lag?
BTW: This ‘lag’ issue is just another example of weirdly unspecified issues in the rules of billiards. What about the timing of the lag itself? Is there any advantage to letting your opponent shoot first? Though the rules specify the lag should be ‘simultaneous’, what authority is the referee given re: any penalty to a player that obviously balks? Or, could your opponent gain any advantage (disconcerting surprise?) by rushing the lag?
The Perfect Pool Stroke Is Akin To The Golden Fleece
I always try to lag using a striped object ball and position the stripe perpendicular on the felt.
I watch the roll of the striped object ball and it should be wobble free the journey down and back.
If there is “any” wiggle or wobble that is discernible, then I know I didn’t execute with a pure stroke.
When I stroked the cue ball, it was not what I intended or else that stripe would have been straight.
It simply is feedback in case I win the lag and so I use that to help me focus more on my cue stroke.
When I am deliver my stroke correctly, the stripe is straight as a string, literally almost motionless.
When my stroke is imperfect, then it’s revealed instantly with the movement on the striped ball.
The best thing to practice your stroke with is the Elephant Training Cue Ball (red & white halves).
I always try to lag using a striped object ball and position the stripe perpendicular on the felt.
I watch the roll of the striped object ball and it should be wobble free the journey down and back.
If there is “any” wiggle or wobble that is discernible, then I know I didn’t execute with a pure stroke.
When I stroked the cue ball, it was not what I intended or else that stripe would have been straight.
It simply is feedback in case I win the lag and so I use that to help me focus more on my cue stroke.
When I am deliver my stroke correctly, the stripe is straight as a string, literally almost motionless.
When my stroke is imperfect, then it’s revealed instantly with the movement on the striped ball.
The best thing to practice your stroke with is the Elephant Training Cue Ball (red & white halves).
Yes, that's the crux of it. It has to be the same for both players. So either two cue balls (which is a rarity to have at a local event), or two object balls. Never one cue ball for one player and one object ball for the second player.
And yes, if you use an object ball, players will typically wipe off the chalk smudge. Either on their clothing, or with their hand, or by spinning the ball on the nose of the cushion to have the cushion cloth rub off the mark.
Not all cue balls are originaly the same size/weight as object balls. All quality ball sets will include a cue ball that is the same size and weight as the object balls when new.
With use the cue ball gets worn down faster than the rest of the object balls. Usually the 1 ball is the second most worn ball of a set.
Hope this helps
Most bar table cue balls that fall to the cue ball return are usually larger than object balls or include metal for use with a magnet. Diamond Smart Tables use a laser to separate the cue ball.
My GCI has a ball box because it still has the ball return on it. I clean out the ball box every time I clean the bad of my table. It does accumulate even if you dont see it on the cloth. Im guessing that the bottoms of drop pockets also accumulate dirt.