Problem with draw

jbob

jbob

Registered
I can normally draw the cue ball reasonably well (at least by my standards), but on my friend's table, I miscue much more often. We both have 8 ft. tables, the same kind of felt cloth (i.e. not the simonis type), but his cloth is newer, and his pool balls have much less wear on them than mine. His are much shinier.

Does the shine/glossiness on the balls make it harder for the tip to grip the ball for the draw to take hold? Or is it more likely that I am just cuing differently when at his house, for some reason? I am a bit stumped.
 
A dirty or heavily worn ball will have more "grit" or exposed pores on its surface which can create an additional level of grab. While this may lessen the likelihood of a miscue, it doesn't necessarily mean that you will get more draw from the shot.

The grit can create an additional level of friction as the cue ball travels toward the OB, reducing the level of backspin still present on the cue ball when it finally reaches the OB.

Also if your friend is using a different kind of chalk than you use at your house, this can also play a factor.

It could simply be a matter of perception. If you play at home alone most of the time you may not be discouraged when a miscue occurs but competing at your friends house makes the event much more apparent.

Or it could be that when you play on your friends table you're tightening up on your stroke delivery and jabbing at the cue ball as you attempt to draw the shot. Since the balls may be responding differently, than you're used to, you are adjusting your stroke or striking the cue ball lower than normal to accommodate the conditions.

Next time you go to your friend house, take a few of your pool balls and test the conditions to see how your pool balls respond on his table with identical strokes.
 
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Or it could be the table is taller or shorter and your stance has changed! It's a messed up world and we badly need an international governing body of pool to regulate dimensions and get us cred with the Intl OIympic Committee!
 
jbob said:
I can normally draw the cue ball reasonably well (at least by my standards), but on my friend's table, I miscue much more often. We both have 8 ft. tables, the same kind of felt cloth (i.e. not the simonis type), but his cloth is newer, and his pool balls have much less wear on them than mine. His are much shinier.

Does the shine/glossiness on the balls make it harder for the tip to grip the ball for the draw to take hold? Or is it more likely that I am just cuing differently when at his house, for some reason? I am a bit stumped.
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It could be the chalk. Some chalk is really, really bad.

In general a shiny cue ball will seem much easier to draw and new cloth will also help draw.
 
Bob Jewett said:
It could be the chalk. Some chalk is really, really bad.

In general a shiny cue ball will seem much easier to draw and new cloth will also help draw.
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Yes, my guess is the chalk.

Even good chalk can be compromised with dirt, sweat or oil. It was many years ago, when seeing someone take a bite of a greasy burger and then pick up the chalk without first wiping his hands, that I began to carry my own chalk.
 
Dampness can be a big factor as well. Is your friend's table in a damp location? Also, ask him where he stores his chalk. Damp chalk can cause miscues. Try bringing your own chalk next time and see if it helps.
 
I agree with Fran here. There was a fellow here from OH who couldn't draw the ball to save his life...even though he had posted videos and gotten good advice on the instructor forum. I visited him last summer, and while he definitely did have stroke issues, his table was out on an enclosed patio (very subject to dampness, and it had been raining constantly, including the day of the lesson). He also had (still has) old nappy cloth, which wasn't installed properly, and causes problems for some. Between the two, it was no wonder he had trouble. After fixing some stroke issues, and discussing the cloth, he has gotten better, but is still held back by the cloth (he's going to purchase a worsted cloth soon, and have the table recovered). I hadn't considered the chalk, as I always put new chalk (Masters blue) out when I give a lesson. We had a second lesson a month ago, and his stroke was much improved. He was amazed at how easily he could draw his rock, when he struck the CB low! I also suggested putting a big dehumidifier on his patio!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
 
Thanks for everyone who responded. I will try my own chalk, as well as a few of my own balls, and take a few minutes before we play to try to identify the issue.
 
Draw

What set of balls is he playing with?

Which cue ball is it?

Are you using your own cue and your own chalk?
 
Took awhile before I could test it. The problem was that I could draw the cue ball reasonably well on my pool table, and at our local pool hall, but not on my friend's table. I would miscue quite regularly on his table.

I followed the suggestion from the forum, and took my own Master chalk and PRESTO!! I could draw perfectly. So his chalk was either old, or something. His was Sportcraft chalk, but I don't know if the problem was because it was that brand, or just old, or old and damp, or ?? ( I don't want to cast any undeserved aspersions.)

At any rate, thanks a ton to the experts here for diagnosing the problem! It felt really good to see that ball drawing back like it should without miscuing.
 
And, not sure about what kind of balls, they just looked like pool balls to me (in good shape, not chipped or old looking). I am not knowledgeable enough to know if they were aramith, or something else.

It was my cue all along, and finally, my chalk (which happened to be Master).
 
jbob said:
Took awhile before I could test it. The problem was that I could draw the cue ball reasonably well on my pool table, and at our local pool hall, but not on my friend's table. I would miscue quite regularly on his table.

I followed the suggestion from the forum, and took my own Master chalk and PRESTO!! I could draw perfectly. So his chalk was either old, or something. His was Sportcraft chalk, but I don't know if the problem was because it was that brand, or just old, or old and damp, or ?? ( I don't want to cast any undeserved aspersions.)

At any rate, thanks a ton to the experts here for diagnosing the problem! It felt really good to see that ball drawing back like it should without miscuing.
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Do your buddy a favor and buy him a box of masters for Christmas...That Sportcrap chalk is horrible!!!!

Been a long time since I was in the SLC pool scene but EO's used to sell chalk in bulk...
 
I play at EO's, they are still going strong.. Good idea, I'll have to buy him some Masters chalk for Christmas
 
jbob said:
Took awhile before I could test it. The problem was that I could draw the cue ball reasonably well on my pool table, and at our local pool hall, but not on my friend's table. I would miscue quite regularly on his table.

I followed the suggestion from the forum, and took my own Master chalk and PRESTO!! I could draw perfectly. So his chalk was either old, or something. His was Sportcraft chalk, but I don't know if the problem was because it was that brand, or just old, or old and damp, or ?? ( I don't want to cast any undeserved aspersions.)

At any rate, thanks a ton to the experts here for diagnosing the problem! It felt really good to see that ball drawing back like it should without miscuing.
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Sportcraft chalk is complete junk. Stick with Master and you'll be fine!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
 
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jbob said:
I play at EO's, they are still going strong.. Good idea, I'll have to buy him some Masters chalk for Christmas
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Its been 10+ years since I was in EO's....Used to be a guy named Darrin that owned it. My favorite little place was called Cushion & Cue...It was much smaller than EO's but there was always action. The Ritz was decent as well...I miss Utah, I always had a good time up there...
 
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