Monster cue...hits a ton...etc., etc., etc.

[HawaiianEye]

I see this kind of description on tons of cues for sale on here and it brings a couple questions to mind.

1. Who says it hits a "ton"? The cue maker, the owner, or somebody who actually has used the cue and knows how to play?

2. What makes a "monster" cue? Is it a ton of inlays and work or has somebody with a "monster" stroke designated it a "monster" because of its playing characteristics?

I'm not trying to call anybody out or degrade anybody's cues, I'd just like some explanations that would satisfy the potential customers.

I see TONS of APA-3s coming into the pool hall on Sunday afternoons when I'm leaving and some of them are talking about their "monster" cues and "hitting a TON" and they can't make three balls. Did they decide their cue was a "monster" or did somebody tell them that when they sold it to them?

I was talking to one guy today who couldn't make three balls in a row and he was as old as me and talking about "when he was going to win one of their tournaments and get a free trip to Vegas to play in the Nationals".

I'm glad the guy had a positive attitude, but I think he'll be older than Methusalah before he ever gets enough practice in to run a few racks of pool.

I love cues, but there are cues that play and cues that "look"...sometimes they happen to be the same cue. However, NONE of them are "monsters" or "hit a TON" if you don't know how to play the game with them.

 

[Banks]

I think that they pick it up from other people. Either the seller, a better player with a similar kind or interpreting it as a description of how it feels. The pool lingo is a learned thing.

Edit: My cue is too light, so it only hits half a ton.

 

[Str8PoolPlayer]

My Cue plays "Lights Out", so I only play in the dark.

 

[stormshadow1]

I agree with banks learned lingo. Half a ton lmao. That is some funny sh*t.

Keith in Colorado

 

[HawaiianEye]

I think that they pick it up from other people. Either the seller, a better player with a similar kind or interpreting it as a description of how it feels. The pool lingo is a learned thing.

Edit: My cue is too light, so it only hits half a ton.

I've seen some monster players who could play with half-ton cues,

I just can't understand how somebody who can't even control a cue has any idea of what "feel" is, much less how close to a "ton" it hits.

It takes a lot of pool playing time before a player ever gets down what the "feel" is for a cue, I think. All of my cues are about the same weight and specs, but the feel for each one is different. All of them hit "good" to me, but some hit "better".

 

[cueaddicts]

Here's a couple. Really, though, why worry how some people refer to their cues....smh

 

[HawaiianEye]

Here's a couple. Really, though, why worry how some people refer to their cues....smh

I'm not worrying, I am asking a question.

Is a cue a "monster" if it plays like a dog?

If a cue is sold on looks alone, it should be called a "looker" if you ask me.

A cue that hits a "ton" for one guy, may only hit a "few hundred pounds" for the next guy.

I love all kinds of cues, but just because some have a big name cue makers name on them doesn't mean they all play the same.

I enjoy looking at "lookers" but don't like them for playing. I prefer cues by the same maker maybe, but without the bells and whistles.

 

[thintowin]

sort of like tbe used car industry where every car was only driven by little old ladies to church or by kicking the tires proves anything. buyer beware ...

 

[Bavafongoul]

What is the correct term or reference for the opposing sharp pointed scrimshaw spears
or whatever is the right term for that design? It happens to be what I picked for a cue and
I didn't know what that particular inlay arrangement is called so ergo my erstwhile referral.
My cue-maker relied upon the photo I sent since I didn't know what to call this inlay design.

Thanks,

Matt B.

 

[HawaiianEye]

What is the correct term or reference for the opposing sharp pointed scrimshaw spears
or whatever is the right term for that design? It happens to be what I picked for a cue and
I didn't know what that particular inlay arrangement is called so ergo my erstwhile referral.
My cue-maker relied upon the photo I sent since I didn't know what to call this inlay design.

Thanks,

Matt B.

To me, "monster" or "hits a ton" equates to some kind of magical or mystical playing properties of a cue that will make it do things that a "mortal" cue will not.

If you want to talk "fancy" cues, then I think there maybe are terms that are more appropriate. Something like "heavily inlaid" or has "ornate unique designs" or something to that effect.

When you use the term "monster" with cars or truck, it is usually because of their performance or ability to do stuff...not just their looks or who makes the vehicles.

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

Ah, ya forgot, Hits Lights Out.

Not that I was ever a cue collector but I do have a few and selling some off now as we no longer have a hall in town, and I'm not taking anything more than what I consider a bar cue with me for other than League, one night a week.

But, even my Varney bar cue conversion with one of his shafts on it plays most well. Just wouldn't consider it a Ton, or Light Hitter outter.

I guess that it is maybe a bit like, Beauty is in the eyes of the Beer Holder. If I were looking for a cue, I would likely shy away from an ad that did have any of those Buzz Words in them.

I have gone thru many cues. I get one, give it some time at the table, and if I don't get along with it, it's gone. But, I have kept a few that I like very much. A couple just for aesthetic reasons and the others for playing well.

Why I find it difficult to put any real stock into someone saying that they have the best cue that they have ever played with, Hits a Ton and Lights out, but they are selling it.

When I get my mitts on something close, it is staying at my house.

 

[cueaddicts]

I've hit with a few cues that were described as monster hitters that literally felt like I get were about to fall apart. To each their own, I guess. Any of them can be considered monsters really, if you think about it (lot of monsters out there)...lol

 

[HawaiianEye]

Ah, ya forgot, Hits Lights Out.

Not that I was ever a cue collector but I do have a few and selling some off now as we no longer have a hall in town, and I'm not taking anything more than what I consider a bar cue with me for other than League, one night a week.

But, even my Varney bar cue conversion with one of his shafts on it plays most well. Just wouldn't consider it a Ton, or Light Hitter outter.

I guess that it is maybe a bit like, Beauty is in the eyes of the Beer Holder. If I were looking for a cue, I would likely shy away from an ad that did have any of those Buzz Words in them.

I have gone thru many cues. I get one, give it some time at the table, and if I don't get along with it, it's gone. But, I have kept a few that I like very much. A couple just for aesthetic reasons and the others for playing well.

Why I find it difficult to put any real stock into someone saying that they have the best cue that they have ever played with, Hits a Ton and Lights out, but they are selling it.

When I get my mitts on something close, it is staying at my house.[/QUOTE]

That is exactly what I'm talking about. I've NEVER heard a real good player saying he was going to sell his best ever hitting cue. I know plenty who have lost them in a pool game, but they never sold them unless they were broke.

And if they lost it or sold it, they bought it right back when they got some money.

 

[mm4pool]

the terms "lights out", monster" hits a ton are all subjective. i would be more inclined to say my cues play the way i like them. not too soft, not too harsh. just right. lol i guess call me goldilocks

my cues give me just the right amount of feedback.

 

[Ak Guy]

Terminology....

It seems as though each sport has it's own terminology and it is often shortened and butchered and the participants seem to know what it means. Speaking the language must make some feel good and add a cool factor in some way.

Hits a ton, lights out, monster this and that, etc. Much of it may just be an expression of some ones admiration.

But, hits a ton, that may always be up to individual opinion.

 

[xXGEARXx]

It's subjective, therefore somewhat immeasurable. I don't know how you could truly capture that data and make it stick. Maybe if you could gather 1000 pool players and have each of them try the same cue with the same tip, shaft, chalk, shot, pool table and room conditions, etc. Even then, it is still complete opinion. Some of it based on skill level and some of it based on how it "feels". That's the key word - feel. How do you accurately measure that?

 

[skins]

It's subjective, therefore somewhat immeasurable. I don't know how you could truly capture that data and make it stick. Maybe if you could gather 1000 pool players and have each of them try the same cue with the same tip, shaft, chalk, shot, pool table and room conditions, etc. Even then, it is still complete opinion. Some of it based on skill level and some of it based on how it "feels". That's the key word - feel. How do you accurately measure that?

You're on the right track here... "Hit" is not subjective BUT "Feel" is... A cue that "hits a ton" does just that. The problem is too many don't know how to tell the difference nor what to look for. Most equate how a cue hits only to what they're actually feeling. Cues can "feel" soft, hard, stiff, whippy, back heavy, front heavy, light, thin, fat, and can also sound pingy, thuddy,...etc etc.. But none of those on their own equate to the actual playability of a cue.

IMO a cue that hits well is one where "feel" is more what youre NOT aware of rather than what you are regardless of those characteristics. It should be SOLID while striking through ALL positions of the cue ball..high, low, left, right, and all combinations of those as well as hitting softly or very hard... If it can do that, chances are the cue will not only "hit" right but will also "move the cue ball" nicely. I've had cues that play real good up and until I go out wide on the cue ball or hit very softly or hard. Thats when they start to "hit" weird and/or there's no action on the cue ball after contact. Any cues being solid throughout all range of shots can be considered good hitters IMO.

When you put THAT together with how a cue is balanced is where you can get a little closer to determining a "monster" hitter. Now if you can find a cue with those attributes and match them with a cue that "feels" good to you, you've found YOU'RE perfect cue.

 

[Chopdoc]

I love cues, but there are cues that play and cues that "look"...sometimes they happen to be the same cue. However, NONE of them are "monsters" or "hit a TON" if you don't know how to play the game with them.

I love a nice Ferrari. Definitely not fast cars, definitely poor performers because I am not professional driver and have never gone over 150 on a public road in a car.

I have only driven a couple of them and did so fairly carefully.

Somehow, regardless of my driving ability or experience, I am confident that a Ferrari is a very fast car that performs pretty well.

 

[Chopdoc]

You're on the right track here... "Hit" is not subjective BUT "Feel" is....

LOL!

One does not feel the hit apparently.



:wink:


.

 

[Chopdoc]

It's subjective, therefore somewhat immeasurable.

Subjective does not mean immeasurable. That is simply a common misunderstanding.