Marking your cue

nataddrho said:
For a specific reason, I would like to add non-permanent marks to my cue. I'd like to make a mark every diamond (12.5") along the length of the cue. I'm willing to forfeit the first mark from the tip if it interferes with bridging and sliding.

The marks will be used to measure the distance between the OB and CB, or, the OB and a rail.

The best I can come up with is painters tape. Any other ideas?
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It's not real hard to compare the distances between the balls to the distances between the diamonds, especially if you practice at it. Why not just use the diamonds on the table? I think most people could get it right to 1/4 diamond. Do you need more accuracy than that?
 
nataddrho said:
Nothing! Tape measure is fine, but maybe a little clumsy unless its a small one, and clips to your back pocket or something.

Maybe a small inexpensive measure wheel. That's not a bad idea.

(I'm not worried about competition/rules right now)
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All the phones (at least the iPhones) now have built in measuring tapes that are surprisingly accurate. That is more clumsy than a small tape measure for sure, but it's something every pool player under the sun has.
 
Bob Jewett said:
It's not real hard to compare the distances between the balls to the distances between the diamonds, especially if you practice at it. Why not just use the diamonds on the table? I think most people could get it right to 1/4 diamond. Do you need more accuracy than that?
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Yes, 1/4th of a diamond is accurate enough.

If the balls are in the middle of the table and form a line not orthogonal to the rails, it may be not so obvious, without practice.

With practice, would definitely be the fastest solution possible.
 
iusedtoberich said:
All the phones (at least the iPhones) now have built in measuring tapes that are surprisingly accurate. That is more clumsy than a small tape measure for sure, but it's something every pool player under the sun has.
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Great idea, and this was in-fact the first thing I explored. It would be my burden to program a homographic measuring algorithm into my app myself, which is not easy to do. But neither is what I have accomplished so far, so there's nothing stopping me really. This may be the way to go.
 
homographic-projection.PNG

Here's an example of a linear homographic projection measurement between an OB and CB for an image I found online using a quick script I wrote using Python and OpenCV. This does not correct for lens distortion but it is close enough for what I need. Video would be no different, and a smart phone can use it's IMU to make further approximations dynamically, etc.
 
iusedtoberich said:
I definitely would not use a pencil on wood, especially when marking cross-grain. It will scratch the fibers and you will have a time hard getting it out.

If you do, the best bet would be to use the side of a #2 pencil and rub in the direction of the grain the width of the mark.
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I have marked different shafts with a pencil many times - after the mark wears off, nothing has ever remained visible.
 
MitchAlsup said:
Since the table already has these markings, perhaps you could putt a set of rings on your butt at 1/10 the diamond spacing and have more precision. {But see below}

Pretty sure this is not a legal use of the cue. For instance, simply taking your hand off the cue while it is on the table is a foul.
Using the cue as a pointing device is legal, using the cue as a measuring device is specifically not.
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Not the case in CSI/BCA.....

f. You may use your cue, held in your hand or not, to help align a shot. You
may use your cue and hands to measure angles and distances for bank
shots and kick shots. No other cues, bridges or equipment may be used.
(AR p. 79).
g. You may only use your vision to judge whether the cue ball or an object
ball would fit through a gap, or to judge what ball the cue ball would
contact first. You may not use any ball, cue, rack, chalk cube, or any other
equipment or other part of your body as a width-measuring device. (AR p.
79).
Penalty for (f-g): Foul immediately upon the violation, regardless of
whether a shot is executed.
 
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And I've found nothing saying you cannot mark your cue..... only marking the table. I assume not laying your cue on the table is a professional thing? Or an old local gambling rule?
 
buckshotshoey said:
,,, I assume not laying your cue on the table is a professional thing? ....
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So far as I know, the rule was created to stop one specific player from doing his lengthy routine of lining up bank shots and such by placing his cue on the table and then walking around the table to look at different angles. Wash, rinse and repeat until your opponent explodes.

The rule can cause problems, for example when a player rests his cue on the table while he ties his shoes. Opponent is off the bench in a flash, "FOUL!!!"

In my view, a better solution to the original problem is the shot clock or some other slow play prevention.
 
Bob Jewett said:
So far as I know, the rule was created to stop one specific player from doing his lengthy routine of lining up bank shots and such by placing his cue on the table and then walking around the table to look at different angles. Wash, rinse and repeat until your opponent explodes.

The rule can cause problems, for example when a player rests his cue on the table while he ties his shoes. Opponent is off the bench in a flash, "FOUL!!!"

In my view, a better solution to the original problem is the shot clock or some other slow play prevention.
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So it is a pro thing? What rule set specifically prohibits laying cue on table?
 
buckshotshoey said:
So it is a pro thing? What rule set specifically prohibits laying cue on table?
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It's possible for people other than pros to play by the official rules. I think it would help the game if more amateur players bothered to read the rules. But to answer your question, here is the rule from the WSR:

6.12 Cue Stick on the Table​
​
If the shooter uses his cue stick in order to align a shot by placing it on the table without​
having a hand on the stick, it is a foul.​

The CSI/BCAPL used to have a similar rule but that's been changed to allow the stick to be unattended:

1-3 (1) f. You may use your cue, held in your hand or not, to help align a shot. You may use your cue and hands to measure angles and distances for bank shots and kick shots. No other cues, bridges or equipment may be used. (AR p. 79).​
 
Bob Jewett said:
It's possible for people other than pros to play by the official rules. I think it would help the game if more amateur players bothered to read the rules. But to answer your question, here is the rule from the WSR:

6.12 Cue Stick on the Table​
​
If the shooter uses his cue stick in order to align a shot by placing it on the table without​
having a hand on the stick, it is a foul.​

The CSI/BCAPL used to have a similar rule but that's been changed to allow the stick to be unattended:

1-3 (1) f. You may use your cue, held in your hand or not, to help align a shot. You may use your cue and hands to measure angles and distances for bank shots and kick shots. No other cues, bridges or equipment may be used. (AR p. 79).​
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Yes.... I posted the CSI rule above. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with the CSI interpretation. Which rule is better (or right) is another discussion.

I have another one out of the sea CSI rule book that would probably start a shitstorm here if I mentioned it. But I will say it has something to do with breaking in 8 Ball.
 
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