Masse and my epiphany

[billiardshot]

Silcone and its' effect on Tip

Neu. My question. What effect does silcone [ after cleaning or using for action on ball] have on your tip,chalk,or table? Meaning does its' leave an oily residue.

 

[MattRDavis]

Hey there, Mr. Neu, I sent you a PM but I'm unsure if you received it or not.

Could you tell us/me a little bit about the cue you had Dennis Dieckman build you? I've seen a few pictures of it but I'm unsure of how it operates and what differentiates it from normal masse cues.

 

[JamisonNeu]

I wish I could help. I have only waxed the cue ball one time. Charlie Darling and I used armor all pads one day some 5 or 6 yrs. ago. I don't think it effected the tip or the cloth. I do know it has alot effect on the cue ball travel. It really makes it alot easier to perform a long masse by making the ball have more action and slide massive distances before grabing. If the ball would only go 1 foot before turning on normal equipment after waxing it would go five to six feet or at least, this is what I remember from that day.

As far as a residue being left behind. I doubt the wax that Charlie showed me does any damage. It would evaporate off the ball in just a few seconds. I don't think if you are using the pool wax to clean the balls properly that the pool wax does any damage to cloth tips balls etc. Like I said, I wish I could help more, but I really don't know this one.

Neu. My question. What effect does silcone [ after cleaning or using for action] have on your tip,chalk,or table? Meaning does its' leave an oily residue.

 

[StevenPWaldon]

Agreed. I like your view on this. Really it's just another "shot." Some people excel at banking, others at stroke shots (such as the masse). They all have their appropriate role in pool (and masses in billiards) and none of them are easy to master.

If I'm ever in your neck of the woods I may have a lesson or two. I've practiced masses a lot, but there's always room for improvement!

I have been thinking lately. That the reason masse seemed so special to me before, is that many players do not use it. Now after watching the growing amount of masse players in the world. I realize that it isn't nearly as hard as I thought, it is just a different sport. I think that almost anyone with enough desire can achieve consistancy and deliver most of the shots on the first or second try. It may be dificult to some and it may come easily to others but, it has no more merit than any other type of shot in pool. I no longer believe it is the hardest part of pool. It may be hard but, it's not the hardest.

If anyone is interested in learning about these shots, I am now open to teaching people how I masse.
Jamison

 

[JamisonNeu]

Well it is kinda a work in progress cue. The idea behind it is, unlike pool you must hold your hand very rigidly during masse. Some of the longer masse shots require a death grip. If you didn't hold it at least somewhat rigidly the cue would fall out of your hands and slip when you contact the cue ball. My idea was to make a stopper, so instead of the death grip I can keep my hand firm but, relaxed. When I contact the cue ball it stops my hand from slipping forward and it uses the front of my hand instead of my existing blister's.

Yes, it works great! The stopper needs to be measured for each person to be sure it is where they hold the cue. We are starting to get the design of the stopper down but, it has been tweaked a little from the original pictures you are referring to.

When I started competition, I noticed most everyone had a special cue for masse, after careful study, I found out those cues were weighted from 22 to 30 oz and some people had 4 or 5 cues all different weights. So, I started working on a different idea with Dennis the idea is that you could have one cue with several different weights. With this design you could have one cue that jumps, breaks, plays and masse's. I think that we are getting closer to my vision and if you had Dennis make you one we would be that much closer. It would be especially helpful having one more mind in the kitty.

I hope this answers your questions Matt, if you have anymore don't hesitate to ask.

Jamison

Hey there, Mr. Neu, I sent you a PM but I'm unsure if you received it or not.

Could you tell us/me a little bit about the cue you had Dennis Dieckman build you? I've seen a few pictures of it but I'm unsure of how it operates and what differentiates it from normal masse cues.

 

[JamisonNeu]

Thanks Steven,
I am glad you get what I was trying to say. Hopefully, I can make it up your way before you make it down here. I can't get enough of NY. Have you ever made it to the Carom Cafe in Flushing? If not then plan a trip you won't regret it. Of coarse if you are ever down this way give me a call. I am looking foward to it.
Jamison

Agreed. I like your view on this. Really it's just another "shot." Some people excel at banking, others at stroke shots (such as the masse). They all have their appropriate role in pool (and masses in billiards) and none of them are easy to master.

If I'm ever in your neck of the woods I may have a lesson or two. I've practiced masses a lot, but there's always room for improvement!

 

[Luxury]

masse

I've heard of a masse cue. Is this cue special because of a special tip? I can imagine a tip that is harder to miscue with and has better "tip grip" would make for a masse cue.

I used to be really good at making masse shots because I practiced at home like crazy. Now the basement my table is in has a very low ceiling so I don't really practice them.

 

[SlickRick_PCS]

I've heard of a masse cue. Is this cue special because of a special tip? I can imagine a tip that is harder to miscue with and has better "tip grip" would make for a masse cue.

I used to be really good at making masse shots because I practiced at home like crazy. Now the basement my table is in has a very low ceiling so I don't really practice them.

On your responce, Luxury. The massé cue is a 48in or so cue that is quite heavy (at around 23-30oz personal pref) and is either 13mm in diameter or 14mm (if you're a carom player perferably... but pool players have those) The unique part about this cue (aside on how it looks) is the fact that even the most medium stroke and high angle (i.e. putting the cue butt 55 degrees above normal) would make the cueball curve dramatically. I hope this helps.

---Massé's rock if done correctly !!!

 

[sjm]

I love masse shots, and I'm very good at them. The reason is that there's a progressive masse drill I've practiced for years, which is shown below. All you have to do is keep making the one ball by masseing around the obstructions. Don't use a full masse, just a half masse, and you'll master many of the combinations of slide and curve pertinent to masse shots.

Of course, don't forget to hook up with Jamison first. He's got the goods! Do everything he tells you to do, and you're on the path to success! Then, and only then, try my drill.

 

[JamisonNeu]

Sjm,

I agree this is a wonderful place to begin learning masse. Next time you go to practice this drill, try putting the obstruction closer to the OB. Or moving it closer to the CB. These are the three types of masse that I started learning years ago. Bending early is the hardest for me still, bending late is the hardest for most players, or at least I think it is. Also, try putting the ball on the rail by the 1 1/2 diamond so it's not a hanger. Unless you demand the highest precision from yourself you won't obtain it.

The practice drill you outlined on here is great for practicing the perfect masse shot, you run into a small problem though, it is that we hardly ever get the ideal masse shot. It is also very important to put your next ball on the table, so you can demand shape from your masse shot's.

Just making the ball is great but, wouldn't it be better to be in line after you shoot the first and hopefully the last crazy masse shot of the game. Demand the impossible from yourself and if you get half way there, you are going to benefit much more.

If the OB is on the rail you don't get to hit it anywhere. You must hit it good or big trouble is what happens. Your opponent get's to shoot a shot that goes straight in the hole. Worst case senario for him, he banks it cross side and with the perfect angle.

I hope you try this out Sjm, it will only help you get even better at your masse shot's. Thank you for your diagrams Sjm, could you make those diagrams again outlining what I just wrote? Please! I am not to good at this internet stuff been on since 97' and can barely check my email.

Jamison

 

[sjm]

Well, Jamison, I hope I've got the essence of your drill. Two late masse shots, two medium, and two early, and the object ball 1 1/2 diamonds form the pocket.

 

[JamisonNeu]

That's it! Thank you.