Should i buy a better cue?

Matt Tatum

Matt Tatum

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
hello there, this is my first post so i thought i would say hello....... i played pool alot as a teenager and into my early twenties, but havent played much since then, i recently decided i would start playing again at 43 and just bought a diamond table and am having lots of fun, and getting better with pracitce and games with family and friends........ was wondering if a better cue would help, i have an old $120 Viking cue i bought about 23 years ago, i know technology has changed and wanted some feed back, as well as recommendations

thanks in advance

-Matt
 
Matt Tatum said:
hello there, this is my first post so i thought i would say hello....... i played pool alot as a teenager and into my early twenties, but havent played much since then, i recently decided i would start playing again at 43 and just bought a diamond table and am having lots of fun, and getting better with pracitce and games with family and friends........ was wondering if a better cue would help, i have an old $120 Viking cue i bought about 23 years ago, i know technology has changed and wanted some feed back, as well as recommendations

thanks in advance

-Matt
Click to expand...

Of it hits solid I would play with it. Technology is WAY overrated
 
Assuming your Viking is straight and has a decent tip that's all you need. If you want to stimulate the economy there areany options from new tips, LD shafts if you like them, or a full custom cue made to your specs. It's really not a matter of needing a new cue but if you want one go for it. Proper Practice will help far more than a new cue or shaft. If you are a little rusty consider getting some lessons on fundamentals with a qualified instructor. Good Luck and welcome back to the game.
 
thanks Doc, so a low deflection shaft, or just a predator sneaky pete would help with shot making??........ i did put a kamui tip on the old viking, so it has a good tip......
 
I'd have to agree with the last post. The stick probably won't make you shoot better. There is a certain satisfaction that comes from playing with a stick that particularly suits you, both in looks and specs. Contrary to another poster, technology can help to a degree,,,,,,,,,,,it's true that some shafts shoot straighter, with more predictable results, once you get used to them.
 
(I posted this same response to your same question in the Ask the Cuemaker section.)

I just had this discussion with a friend that's getting back into pool. He asked me if the low deflection shafts, laminated tips, and expensive chalk is anything but a bunch of b.s. marketing.

In my opinion, there is definitely some amount of *significant* difference between a low deflection shaft and a standard maple shaft. However, I truly don't believe there is a *significant* difference between laminated tips and solid leather tips, and expensive chalk and whatever chalk is sitting on the rail for free.

Yes, I know there are a bunch of people that will scream that brand X shaft is best, brand Y tip is best, and brand Z chalk is best. I'm not arguing that these advanced products aren't "good". I'm just saying that in general there isn't really that much of a *significant* difference than the old stuff.

For instance, a good player can break and run using a warped bar cue, with a 4 year old LePro, using Silver Cup chalk. But, a bad player can't run out with a Predator Z shaft, with a Moori, using Kamui chalk.

"Better" equipment doesn't instantly guarantee better play.
 
Mark...I'd say buy a "better" cue only if you want one. As far as improving your game goes, time spent on the diamond table will do more than any cue could.

Debates abound about cues, shafts, and tips here...so it's really all about what you personally like.

Me personally? Love my Josey with it's standard shaft...:)

http://www.joseycues.com/
 
Yes, get a good cue, you'll be glad you did. There's really lots of difference between an instrument and a tool.
 
Quote from Matt Tatum::"thanks Doc, so a low deflection shaft, or just a predator sneaky pete would help with shot making??........ i did put a kamui tip on the old viking, so it has a good tip......" Personally I don't care for LD shafts but to be fair you should try one to see if its for you before you buy one. No matter the shaft you will have to adjust your aim some when you use side spin or otherwise compensate for squirt. I have been playing so long with maple shafts and ivory ferrules that I much prefer the solid maple shafts. I hope this helps clarify my position.
 
Matt Tatum said:
hello there, this is my first post so i thought i would say hello....... i played pool alot as a teenager and into my early twenties, but havent played much since then, i recently decided i would start playing again at 43 and just bought a diamond table and am having lots of fun, and getting better with pracitce and games with family and friends........ was wondering if a better cue would help, i have an old $120 Viking cue i bought about 23 years ago, i know technology has changed and wanted some feed back, as well as recommendations

thanks in advance

-Matt
Click to expand...

you should use what ever cue brings the best out of you. Play with many cues as possible and decide,

FWIW I borrowed a orange Viking cue from a guy in Sale Lake city in 88, I won 2 sets with it $200, It was about a $120 cue at the time, I loved it I offered him the $200 for it(way more than it was worth) but to me it wa worth more than $200 because I loved it and it was much better for me than my cue. He wouldnt sell it. to this day I have never played with a Viking that hit as nicely as that one did.
 
Good question! A pool player always wants a new cue. I'll bet most people on here have several! You've gotten some good advice, the only thing I would recommend is trying a few different cues out and see if you think a new one would make a difference.
 
I agree with Fatboy. FWIW I play with a 2nd generation Predator, does it make me play better? Of course not. I play the same speed with whatever I use if I am comfortable with it. Anyone that sells cues are going to tell you to buy. If you just want a better looking cue then put some money in the billiard community.
Good luck and welcome back to the game
 
Different cues may feel differently, but it is the Indian not the arrow.
Get knowledge, not gizmos.
:grin:
 
Get the best you can comfortably afford. If that happens to be a cue with all the bells and whistles, great. A good cue will certainly not hurt your game, but a bad cue certainly could.
By-the-way, have you considered one of our Miracle cues? :smile:
 
I enjoy buying cues, doesn't have much effect on my game just a way to
spend money, if you afford it do it. Right now I'm about to buy my third
Schon:smile:
 
Honestly, it doesn't matter what quality of cue you have. If you can shoot well with it, that's all you need. It doesn't matter if you pay thousands of dollars for a cue if you can't play with it well. Go with what suits your ability and style, and go on from there.
 
Only you know the answer. If you're good, and think you're going to get really good, spend the money. If you're average, and think you're only capable of modest improvement over time, save your money.

95% of players will fall into the second category BTW.
 
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