Pinky on or off during stroke.

[trob]

I’m out here for apa nationals and have noticed a lot of variance in grip so I thought I’d throw up a poll to see what everyone prefers. I’ve done both pinky touching only during forward stroke and pinky never touching during the stroke at all.

 

[Hungarian]

Slipper stroke barely holding the cue

 

[Zerksies]

I think is was in Ray Martin's book something about the grip and showing a off the cue

 

[Moe Szyslak]

Do some people hold their pinky out like Queen Victoria drinking a glass of tea?

 

[Zerksies]

Do some people hold their pinky out like Queen Victoria drinking a glass of tea?

I do

 

[billiards_watch]

Pinky out because it gets in the way.

I hold it with my thumb and two fingers.

The cue sits on those fingers. I never grip it because the cue needs to be loose at all times. Gripping it can cause misalignment, miscues and improper strokes.

I've learned to adapt and let the cue do its thing. When I really need to control the cue ball I may lightly grip it.

 

[nataddrho]

Pinky has always been a little bit off

 

[straightline]

That one's easy. On many shots I grip the cue with the back of the hand and pivot on the pinky. It allows more travel without the skew caused by front of the hand grips.

 

[Twocylndr]

I don't know...ain't paid attention

 

[SmoothStroke]

I try to keep it in my nose

 

[billiards_watch]

That one's easy. On many shots I grip the cue with the back of the hand and pivot on the pinky. It allows more travel without the skew caused by front of the hand grips.

Interesting.

I need to try.

 

[jalapus logan]

You are talking about pool....right?

 

[a1712]

Never thought of it till now.......thanks a f___ing lot. Brian.

 

[trob]

Do some people hold their pinky out like Queen Victoria drinking a glass of tea?

Yeah. I do

 

[JusticeNJ]

Johnny Ervolino had the best pinky out stroke. Like he was holding a martini glass.

 

[gcmortal]

Barely touching. Any more pressure than that and I tend to miss a fraction to the left.

 

[boogieman]

I have no clue nor do I want to. I already overthink everything this game has to offer.

 

[billiards_watch]

Johnny Ervolino had the best pinky out stroke. Like he was holding a martini glass.

Mine's better. It's like I am picking my nose.

 

[skogstokig]

Do some people hold their pinky out like Queen Victoria drinking a glass of tea?

only during a danny harriman style break shot

 

[mr3cushion]

​

In 1963 I was taught to grip the cue with 'All' fingers.

I can't remember a Top 3C players grip with the 'Pinky' sticking out.

The Grip​

The proper full hand grip​

The grip gives the player general control of the cue ball. Full finger grips are the most common choice among better players. The grip should rest in the palm of your hand; see Photo10, instead of lying in the player's fingers.



Photo 10

The players that use more of their wrists give more rotation to the cue as it is swung back and forth. You may want to use a finger grip when applying maximum effect to the cue ball, (the cue ball maintains spin on 3 or more cushions.) For most shots in 3 cushion billiards, (especially short-angle shots), you want to use as little wrist action as possible, for better control of the cue ball, and a consistent hit on the first ball or cushion.

The simple move​

The last element of a proper grip is the simplest. Most average players are looking for some magical move to make just before they strike the cue ball, well; I'm here to tell you, there isn't one. It's the simple opening of the hand on the cue when swinging the cue back, Photo13, and when the cue swings forward closing the hand around the cue with all fingers, Photo14. Also the middle knuckles on the cue hand, should be pointing to the floor. This along with the arm and the elbow in the correct position when addressing the cue ball will give the player a more consistent effect on the cue ball.