Question for chalk experts...

[jed1894]

For those of you who have actually checked the difference, is there a real difference between cheap chalk (Wal-mart, etc.) and expensive chalk that pros use? Is there a noticable difference?

Also, if there is a difference, I would suspect that it would affect english, correct?

thanks, JED

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

For those of you who have actually checked the difference, is there a real difference between cheap chalk (Wal-mart, etc.) and expensive chalk that pros use? Is there a noticable difference?

Also, if there is a difference, I would suspect that it would affect english, correct?

thanks, JED

I'm not entirely aware of the chemical composition of chalk. I do know that Masters chalk has diminished its use of lead (I think all but entirely) which has made it slightly more brittle and sticks to your tip a little less. If anyone out there thinks Masters Chalk isn't as good as it used to be, they're right.

The fact is, chalk comes in MANY different forms and only certain kinds are actually intended for billiards. You can't simply go to a children's store and pick up a chalk-stick and expect it to work. With that said, I would be EXTREMELY skeptical about anything Walmart carries. Most players (I would say all) are very particular about the chalk they use and will frequently carry their own if there's a chance their preference won't be available.

Personally, I cannot stand "Tournament" chalk and find that I need to use it much much more than Masters. I usually give it a once-over before most shots and real scrutiny on anything that requires any sort of spin but with Tournament Chalk I have to really make sure my tip is coated all the time.

 

[Black-Balled]

I would be EXTREMELY skeptical about anything Walmart carries

Possibly the finest advice one could garner from AZB. Beware the crapping of America!!

 

[mjantti]

https://www.platinumbilliards.com/rating_chalk.php

 

[Mungtor]

For those of you who have actually checked the difference, is there a real difference between cheap chalk (Wal-mart, etc.) and expensive chalk that pros use? Is there a noticable difference?

Also, if there is a difference, I would suspect that it would affect english, correct?

thanks, JED

I'm certainly no expert, but I have a box of "Balabushka" chalk that I picked up a while ago and I decided pretty quickly that I didn't like it. It appears to be finer than the Masters chalk, and just didn't seem to hit the same way. For example, I couldn't draw the CB nearly as well as I could with the Masters. Maybe the box I got had gotten damp or something, but it was definitely consistent between the 3 pieces that I tried.

FWIW, I've also read that different colors of Masters chalk will play differently but I have only used the blue.

 

[rayjay]

I got a box of 12 cubes of Master chalk from Seybert's last month for $2.95...about a quarter each...pretty cheap if you get some other stuff too, to offset shipping costs.

 

[Fred Agnir]

I'm not entirely aware of the chemical composition of chalk.

Pool/billiards chalk isn't chalk at all. It's sand. For chemical buffs, where real chalk is calcium carbonate, pool/billiards chalk is silicon dioxide and whatever else makes up sand.

Fred <~~~ some match sticks, pull tabs, and a little dog poop

 

[Koop]

I'm certainly no expert, but I have a box of "Balabushka" chalk that I picked up a while ago and I decided pretty quickly that I didn't like it. It appears to be finer than the Masters chalk, and just didn't seem to hit the same way. For example, I couldn't draw the CB nearly as well as I could with the Masters. Maybe the box I got had gotten damp or something, but it was definitely consistent between the 3 pieces that I tried.

FWIW, I've also read that different colors of Masters chalk will play differently but I have only used the blue.

Hey Mungtor,

This is why it's so important to test out the chalk for yourself. I only use Balabushka so it's funny how different people react differently to the same product.
My advice would be to try a many brands as possible and go from there.

Regards,
Koop

 

[Sweet Marissa]

Not only do I only use blue Master, but when I'm shooting I don't let anyone else use my chalk. I'm superstitious And if I'm doing well with a certain piece, I'll only use that one.

 

[drivermaker]

Not only do I only use blue Master, but when I'm shooting I don't let anyone else use my chalk. I'm superstitious And if I'm doing well with a certain piece, I'll only use that one.

I strongly suggest Masters pink......and don't be so damn greedy.

 

[drivermaker]

Hey Mungtor,

This is why it's so important to test out the chalk for yourself. I only use Balabushka so it's funny how different people react differently to the same product.
My advice would be to try a many brands as possible and go from there.

Regards,
Koop

Hey fella....I'll bet you wouldn't say something like that to his face! (damn opinionated tough guys)

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Not only do I only use blue Master, but when I'm shooting I don't let anyone else use my chalk. I'm superstitious And if I'm doing well with a certain piece, I'll only use that one.

That might be the Korean in you. In Seole, there are literally thousands of 3-cushion rooms and it's considered customary when playing 3-cushion to have a personal cube of chalk which you would carry to and from the table. There are still several Korean owned rooms in New York City (though not as many as a few years ago) where this is still the custom. You can't believe the stares I get every time I leave that cube on the rail!

 

[Koop]

Hey fella....I'll bet you wouldn't say something like that to his face! (damn opinionated tough guys)

Oh crap, did this come out as argumentative because that was not my intention.
Now, had it been the other guy, I would have thought long and hard because I'd hate get a beat down over chalk opinions ;-)

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Oh crap, did this come out as argumentative because that was not my intention.
No, had it been the other guy, I would have thought long and hard because I'd hate get a beat down over chalk opinions ;-)

Yeah dude, you better watch your tone. You're very argumentative today.

 

[Koop]

Yeah dude, you better watch your tone. You're very argumentative today.

Sorry Jude.

Going to put my head back in the sand...

See you in a couple of months

Koop

 

[Mungtor]

Oh crap, did this come out as argumentative because that was not my intention.
Now, had it been the other guy, I would have thought long and hard because I'd hate get a beat down over chalk opinions ;-)

I dunno. Apparently what I said was "Balabushka chalk sucks and anybody who uses it sucks too". Then you said "Bullshit! Take that back or you're gonna spend the next hour looking for your teeth!"

So I will back out with "I guess I'm not a good enough player to appreciate the finesse that Balabushka chalk brings to the game. My bad." <-- keeping the teeth

 

[Koop]

I dunno. Apparently what I said was "Balabushka chalk sucks and anybody who uses it sucks too". Then you said "Bullshit! Take that back or you're gonna spend the next hour looking for your teeth!"

So I will back out with "I guess I'm not a good enough player to appreciate the finesse that Balabushka chalk brings to the game. My bad." <-- keeping the teeth

Wow, you really can read between those lines!

Regards,
Koop

 

[Sweet Marissa]

I strongly suggest Masters pink......and don't be so damn greedy.

gosh, i wouldn't want people to think i'm weird

 

[Sweet Marissa]

I dunno. Apparently what I said was "Balabushka chalk sucks and anybody who uses it sucks too". Then you said "Bullshit! Take that back or you're gonna spend the next hour looking for your teeth!"

So I will back out with "I guess I'm not a good enough player to appreciate the finesse that Balabushka chalk brings to the game. My bad." <-- keeping the teeth

Hey, can youtranslate any of Billy Jay's post, too??

 

[AuntyDan]

I'm not entirely aware of the chemical composition of chalk. I do know that Masters chalk has diminished its use of lead (I think all but entirely) which has made it slightly more brittle and sticks to your tip a little less. If anyone out there thinks Masters Chalk isn't as good as it used to be, they're right.

That's very interesting Jude. I noticed a while ago that there appear to be 2 distinct types of Master's Blue chalk in circulation; one is a light blue and is very smooth and the other is a dark blue is more brittle. Initially I liked the darker blue more, as it seemed to not cake up like the light blue kind. However I had a problem with a layer of my tip sticking out and found the dark blue kept catching on it so switched to the light blue for a while. I only ever find the light blue in pool halls, so I'm guessing it's because they buy 100's of cubes at a time and are still dispensing old stock bought several years ago. Any time I buy new Master's chalk (I buy a gross box about once a year) I always get the dark blue.