Premium Chalks – Are They Worth It?

Stickman9 said:
I agree about Taom (Pyro) chalk. I started using it when I had my table recovered, and rarely have to clean it. I view it as an investment because it will extend the life of the cloth. It seems to last a lot longer than Master.
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V10 is cleaner then Pyro and lasts a lot longer. I’ve been using the same piece since SBE. Pyro I was going through a level every three months
 
Dave, I really appreciate what you do.

In this pool world there are errors, opinions presented as facts, superstitions, and all other types of misinformation. It is beyond cool to be able to go to one of your videos and know that you can get the bottom line presented in a clear and professional manner. You're one of a kind.
 
Guy Manges said:
Do you not mix your chalks with Masters? ... Guy
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I do not mix multiple chalks on the tip when I play, and I certainly did not do this in the video. I carefully cleaned the tip off (with a paper towel and light shaping) when switching from one chalk to the next.
 
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maha said:
so dave your tests prove to me that using master chalk is just as good as the premium ones. plus can have an advantage.

here is why.
1. it is cheaper. a factor for some
2. it is just as good for preventing miscues. most important

3. it makes for a more dirty ball and can cause skids. since both are playing with the same cueball, one person using it makes it the same for both players. so the one using it should have an advantage as he can use outside spin on his cut shots that apply, where as the other player who practices with the premium chalk won't be thinking of it.
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The problem with using chalk that sticks to the CB a lot is you are “rolling the dice.” The infrequent cling/skid/kick might happen to you (and not your opponent), and this could cause a miss, loss of a game, and loss of a match. I personally would prefer to limit the chances for this.
 
dr_dave said:
I do not mix multiple chalks on the tip when I play, and I certainl6 did nit do this in the video. I carefully cleaned the tip off (with a paper towel and light shaping) when switching from one chalk to the next.
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Dave that has nothing to do with i was talking about whatsoever...
 
ShootingArts said:
Skid or extra throw were both pretty much guaranteed with certain shots with the filthy old tables and cheap filthy balls in bygone days, no doubt still in a lot of places of types I no longer frequent. When it wasn't a necessity for shape, spin was often adjusted to affect the collision of the balls. That was one of the tricks of the trade that made me a lot of money back in the day and was something I very very rarely talked about! Granted I had never heard the names skid and throw back forty or fifty years ago but we certainly knew the effects!
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Yep, if you use gearing outside spin, you can prevent all throw and cling/skid/kick effects.
 
Tin Man said:
Dave, I really appreciate what you do.

In this pool world there are errors, opinions presented as facts, superstitions, and all other types of misinformation. It is beyond cool to be able to go to one of your videos and know that you can get the bottom line presented in a clear and professional manner. You're one of a kind.
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Thanks Demetrius! And you’re welcome. I always appreciate your positive feedback.
 
simple question would you rather know that some shots will go off course unless you use english properly for it.

and have your opponent not know it or not prepared for it.

its kind of similar to knowing that a pocket rolls off and your opponent doesnt because he didnt think about considering that.
would you now make sure he knows or the table is fixed before you play.

master chalk has been around forever. and so has the conditions of the tables and the balls that change during a game or day to day.
we have to adjust to that. that is part of pool. those that dont are at a disadvantage and rightly so.
 
dr_dave said:
I had a skid in league last week which caused a miss and loss of game. I agree that they don't happen often; but I would prefer if they happen even less often. Per the SVB example in the video, skid can be devastating to a pro, where one skid can cause loss of a game, match, and tournament. Fortunately, SVB still prevailed despite the skid.
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Skid happens but it's operator error that puts a shooter in that situation. So why wasn't that cue ball on an angle that promotes natural? 🤷‍♂️ Operator Error.
 
gregcantrall said:
Skid happens but it's operator error that puts a shooter in that situation. So why wasn't that cue ball on an angle that promotes natural? 🤷‍♂️ Operator Error.
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How is it “operator error” if a chalk mark on the CB from some previous shot (by you or your opponent) ends up at the contact point between the CB and OB?
 
I must admit that this a subject I've never considered before, but you've presented it with objectivity, comprehensiveness and clarity. Well done!
 
I am 100% sure that the new "expensive" chalks (Taom, Predator, etc.) are better when incomes to reducing skids, cling, etc. Many people claim it, and Dr. Dave has shown us examples of it.

I am also 100% sure that every shot I ever missed, was my fault, and not the fault of the chalk.
 
ShootingArts said:
Skid or extra throw were both pretty much guaranteed with certain shots with the filthy old tables and cheap filthy balls in bygone days, no doubt still in a lot of places of types I no longer frequent. When it wasn't a necessity for shape, spin was often adjusted to affect the collision of the balls. That was one of the tricks of the trade that made me a lot of money back in the day and was something I very very rarely talked about! Granted I had never heard the names skid and throw back forty or fifty years ago but we certainly knew the effects!

Hu
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Thank goodness for Dr. Dave, But if we humans could remember each and all Doc's work, We wouldn't be human... So on and on goes pocket pool... This sport gets better all the time... Guy
 
Dave, your skid testing gives me an idea for further exploration. If chalk at the point of contact can cause skid, can generally dirty balls cause it as well regardless of chalk spots? I would love to see a test of the frequency of skids using dirty balls compared to the frequency after those same balls have been cleaned and polished. This would be with no chalk at all at the contact point of the cut angle. It could also be done with chalk at the contact point on the dirty and cleaned balls to measure any difference in chalk-induced skid between clean and dirty balls.
 
Banger said:
.... I am also 100% sure that every shot I ever missed, was my fault, and not the fault of the chalk.
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Skids are just one example of "equipment assisted" misses. Another is when there is a problem with the table, such as a dead rail or a side pocket point sticking out. Most people are happy to assign some of the blame for the miss to the equipment, and I don't blame them.

Balls also have problems. One of the most remarkable examples of a player being bitten by an equipment problem is this scratch...

 
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