Predator cues balance point

[Mirza]

Hello friends!

I have a Predator 5k4 with 12.4 Revo, uniloc joint, and I play with a 2,5" extension.

I like my cue butt heavy, so that the balance point is closer to the butt, but with this cue I can't make that happen even with extension and even with a heavier wight bolt, balance always feels like its evenly distributed, maybe the part of the reason it feels that way to me is because I hold the cue at the end of the butt, so there is only the mentioned extension beyond my grip.

So my question is if there is a Predator butt with uniloc joint that is butt heavy, that the balance point is closer to the butt end, more than in this 5k4 of mine.

 

[Texas Carom Club]

No

 

[The_JV]

Unless you change your grip hand location I doubt having a heavier butt will change the sensation you're experiencing. Maybe just pretend the balance point is where you want it. Sounds silly, but about as relevant as the actual balance point in terms of play.

 

[garczar]

Unless you change your grip hand location I doubt having a heavier butt will change the sensation you're experiencing. Maybe just pretend the balance point is where you want it. Sounds silly, but about as relevant as the actual balance point in terms of play.

BP is the most over-rated aspect of a cue. Its something most people adjust to within a few shots. As long as its not severely one way or another its really a non issue.

 

[The_JV]

BP is the most over-rated aspect of a cue. Its something most people adjust to within a few shots. As long as its not severely one way or another its really a non issue.

I honestly, (and I mean this without any bias or mischievous intent), can say that I have zero clue how the "balance point" has any effect what so ever in player performance. My grip hand location is completely dependent on bridge hand location, which is subsequently dependent on CB location relative to table traffic and rails. Balance point plays absolutely zero role in how I hold my cue and what I can do with it.

So much ado about nothing

 

[garczar]

I honestly, (and I mean this without any bias or mischievous intent), can say that I have zero clue how the "balance point" has any effect what so ever in player performance. My grip hand location is completely dependent on bridge hand location, which is subsequently dependent on CB location relative to table traffic and rails. Balance point plays absolutely zero role in how I hold my cue and what I can do with it.

So much ado about nothing

Most times all the BP does is tell you where on the butt to putt your hand. Its automatic/subconscious, you're eye-hand-brain system is highly sensitive and it will do this shit without any input. I pick up a cue and within a few shots i'm gripping it where it feels right. No thought involved. People tend to waaaaaaay overthink this stuff.

 

[The_JV]

I pick up a cue and within a few shots i'm gripping it where it feels right. No thought involved. People tend to waaaaaaay overthink this stuff.

Forgive me, but I think this is a problem most players have. BP should have no bearing on your grip hand location. The grip hand needs to land so that your forearm is perpendicular to the cue extremely near or at CB contact. This is my number 1 reason for always suggesting to cue buyers to not buy a cue with a wrap. Anything other than forearm angle should not be a factor in determining grip hand location.

Not saying you can't get away with it. Just saying all would be better off disregarding the moot when perfecting their mechanics.

 

[garczar]

Forgive me, but I think this is a problem most players have. BP should have no bearing on your grip hand location. The grip hand needs to land so that your forearm is perpendicular to the cue extremely near or at CB contact. This is my number 1 reason for always suggesting to cue buyers to not buy a cue with a wrap. Anything other than forearm angle should not be a factor in determining grip hand location.

Not saying you can't get away with it. Just saying all would be better off disregarding the moot when perfecting their mechanics.

That only works, imo, if the BP is at the 19"-ish point. If i pick up a real butt-heavy cue i automatically grip it a different place. Not much but its there. That perpendicular forearm at impact is nice i guess but its not a game changer without it. Seen a lot of good players over the years who aren't even close to that at impact. Yes, i'd probably suggest it to a new player but its not a deal breaker.

 

[The_JV]

That only works, imo, if the BP is at the 19"-ish point. If i pick up a real butt-heavy cue i automatically grip it a different place. Not much but its there. That perpendicular forearm at impact is nice i guess but its not a game changer without it. Seen a lot of good players over the years who aren't even close to that at impact. Yes, i'd probably suggest it to a new player but its not a deal breaker.

For the record, I cannot argue the correct grip vs BP location, because I really don't know where the BP is on any of my cues. I also don't check for it when I pick up a foreign cue to swat at balls. I'll add that I also don't check the curvature of the tip. There's a list of other things players 'think' are important, but it would be quicker to assume the same theme in my opinion of them.

The perpendicular forearm is just a means to produce consistent mechanics. By no means is it mandatory for great play.

 

[7stud]

The grip hand needs to land so that your forearm is perpendicular to the cue extremely near or at CB contact. This is my number 1 reason for always suggesting to cue buyers to not buy a cue with a wrap.

I can't feel when my forearm is perpendicular to the cue. I like the feel of no wrap cues the best, but I can't feel where my grip location causes a perpendicular forearm. On the other hand, the edge of a wrap can let you know where you grip hand is on the cue, so for instance if you know that two fingers off the back of the wrap creates a perpendicular forearm with your preferred bridge length, then you can easily find that position with your hand without looking.

 

[The_JV]

I can't feel when my forearm is perpendicular to the cue. I like the feel of no wrap cues the best, but I can't feel where my grip location causes a perpendicular forearm. On the other hand, the edge of a wrap can let you know where you grip hand is on the cue, so for instance if you know that two fingers off the back of the wrap creates a perpendicular forearm with your preferred bridge length, then you can easily find that position with your hand without looking.

I use gravity. Wonderfully consistent. I also employ a very loose grip. All in what you prefer to teach yourself I suppose.

I'm betting you can look at a bowl of soup, close your eyes and successfully feed yourself. That said, how did you know how to bend your arm without knowing where your mouth was without measuring first..?

So when you pick up a foreign cue do you measure it with your fingers prior to play...? What happens when your bridge length is restricted by table traffic..? Do you measure the variance with you fingers..?

 

[slide13]

I can't feel when my forearm is perpendicular to the cue. I like the feel of no wrap cues the best, but I can't feel where my grip location causes a perpendicular forearm. On the other hand, the edge of a wrap can let you know where you grip hand is on the cue, so for instance if you know that two fingers off the back of the wrap creates a perpendicular forearm with your preferred bridge length, then you can easily find that position with your hand without looking.

This is why I don't care for wrapless playing cues, I use the end of the wrap as a reference point for my hand position. I do prefer wrapless for my break cues though....go figure.

I like a neutral to forward balance. 18.5-19.5" range is great, with my preference being 19"+, but anywhere in that range feels pretty natural to me. Can't stand overly butt heavy though, just really don't like how that feels. Had a cue once that was like 17" or so and that was a definite no go, felt terrible to me.