straight rail vs three cushions shaft

[Slh]

What's the difference between a shaft used for the free game or straight rail against a shaft for playing 3 cushions?
Some time ago I bought a cue and discovered recently it has a straight rail shaft but I use it for playing three cushions. Could my game suffer because I'm not using the correct shaft? Or can I play three cushions just fine with a straight rail shaft?

 

[Texas Carom Club]

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[Slh]

up....................

 

[erriep]

What's the difference between a shaft used for the free game or straight rail against a shaft for playing 3 cushions?
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usually, a straight rail shaft is smaller (like 67cm) and thinner (diameter 11mm , or 11.5mm at max ) . many straight rail players do like 140cm cues, or even shorter, like 138cm.
a 3 cushions shaft is longer (69 to 71cm) and bigger (11.8 - 12mm)
the tapers can be the same, even some players do like a little bit more flexible taper -less conical-for straight rail.

Could my game suffer because I'm not using the correct shaft? Or can I play three cushions just fine with a straight rail shaft?

you're game can suffer a bit on some shots with a straight rail shaft , because of the flex and sometime because of the size , but you'll adapt ...

a matter of stiffness..

 

[Bob Jewett]

What's the difference between a shaft used for the free game or straight rail against a shaft for playing 3 cushions?
Some time ago I bought a cue and discovered recently it has a straight rail shaft but I use it for playing three cushions. Could my game suffer because I'm not using the correct shaft? Or can I play three cushions just fine with a straight rail shaft?

Yesterday at Carom Cafe Frederic Caudron was trying out a new cue. I asked him if he used a different cue for the small games versus 3-cushion. He said he uses the same cue. He appears to have only one style of shaft for each butt.