I was basically a life long pool player, then found billiards and I pretty much switched over 95%. Question for you guys: for awhile I would use different cues for each: like a basic pool pro taper cue for pool and a very stiff euro taper Schuler for 3C, don't ask why. For awhile I went back and forth, but at some point I just started using the 3C Schuler - love it, much less deflection when using English. Didn't like the short shaft on certain shots, so I bought an extension on the Schuler and now it's like a pool cue, but much better, I think. I'm thinking of selling my pool cue and just using my 3C stick, but wondering what people think. Just for reference, I'm not talking about playing one or the other every so often - I have a pool table and a billiard table in my basement so I kind of go back and forth when I like.
switching?
- Thread starter eze123
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Schulers may be the best choice for players who switch between pool and billiards; at least as far as the cues I've tried. They make a number of shaft types for pool and billiards that fit on all of their cues and you can even get low deflection (predator, ob-1, tiger) shafts for Schulers now.
A lot of good pool cues seem too whippy and not strong enough for billiard tables, especially slow tables.
Carom cues often have thick tapers that make certain shots more difficult in pool, at least to me. I'd rather play with a dufferin sneaky than one of my wood pin carom cues that are fine for billiards. They suck for pool.
The tip size and the size of the ferrule are also quite different if you look at what the pros use. Pro 3-C players seem to use smaller tips and ferrules as a general rule, and I'm sure there's a reason for it.
A lot of good pool cues seem too whippy and not strong enough for billiard tables, especially slow tables.
Carom cues often have thick tapers that make certain shots more difficult in pool, at least to me. I'd rather play with a dufferin sneaky than one of my wood pin carom cues that are fine for billiards. They suck for pool.
The tip size and the size of the ferrule are also quite different if you look at what the pros use. Pro 3-C players seem to use smaller tips and ferrules as a general rule, and I'm sure there's a reason for it.
Yeah, that's the thing - after playing 3C and going back to a pool cue, they all seem very whippy and loose. It's like you adjust for deflection and then you adjust for a pool cue. Like playing with a wet noodle. Stiff billiard cue is great for me, you only really have to make adjustments if you're shooting ten feet across the table. Throwing a little english on a pool shot, you don't need to make more than a one percent change.
I'm 99 percent a billiard player at this point, so a little disadvantage in pool isn't a big deal for me. What do you think - play all the time with the same 3C stick even if I miss a pool shot now and then?
I'm 99 percent a billiard player at this point, so a little disadvantage in pool isn't a big deal for me. What do you think - play all the time with the same 3C stick even if I miss a pool shot now and then?
bud green said:
First of all, a friend of mine (pro-player) played at least 10 years pool with a carom cue. So you can ofcourse do the same thing.
The second, about a year ago I started to play pool with a carom cue. I use a 3 cushion shaft, which is 1,5 inch longer than the most carom cues. If you are interested, I can sell you mine 3 cushion cue. The feel you get from a carom cue is superb. I like the wooden thread, it gives you a nice feel/hit/feedback. The 12mm tip is also much better than those huge 13mm tip.
But, playing pool with a carom cue is a little more difficult. That's why I'm changing back to a poolcue after one year of playing with the carom cue. The eurotaper is quite thick. On long shots it's a handicap. Because the shaft is becoming thick (very quick) when you are stroking, the tip will move, so it is more difficult to strike the CB where you intentionally want to hit.
I'm not saying, that you can't use a carom cue to play pool, because you can. But it's way more difficult than using a poolcue. I don't know how serious you are taking this game. If you really want to become a good player, I would advice you to use a poolcue. Also using a carom cue for pool, you need to adjust, it will take some time. I had take some time to get used of it.
The second, about a year ago I started to play pool with a carom cue. I use a 3 cushion shaft, which is 1,5 inch longer than the most carom cues. If you are interested, I can sell you mine 3 cushion cue. The feel you get from a carom cue is superb. I like the wooden thread, it gives you a nice feel/hit/feedback. The 12mm tip is also much better than those huge 13mm tip.
But, playing pool with a carom cue is a little more difficult. That's why I'm changing back to a poolcue after one year of playing with the carom cue. The eurotaper is quite thick. On long shots it's a handicap. Because the shaft is becoming thick (very quick) when you are stroking, the tip will move, so it is more difficult to strike the CB where you intentionally want to hit.
I'm not saying, that you can't use a carom cue to play pool, because you can. But it's way more difficult than using a poolcue. I don't know how serious you are taking this game. If you really want to become a good player, I would advice you to use a poolcue. Also using a carom cue for pool, you need to adjust, it will take some time. I had take some time to get used of it.
I'm 64 and I've been playing pool since I was 12. In college I discovered billiards, but continued to play all the pool games as well. About 30 years ago I bought a Joss West from Bill Stroud and played both games with that cue for ten years. Then I got my first true carom cue, a top of the line Helmstetter, and started switching back and forth. Finally, about ten years ago I had Dennis Dieckman make me a carom cue. I love that cue! Now I play three-cushion 99% of the time and on the rare occasion that I play a little one-pocket, I use my Dieckman. I can't readjust back to the Joss anymore.
Mark
Mark
I go back and forth with minimal refamiliarization.
IMO, Pool cues work better for pool and billiards cues for billiards, and one is not taking full advantage of available tools if he chooses to not use either for its intended application. Perahps the analogy of knife types works: bread knife vs. non-serrated for cutting a loaf?!
OF course there are Free advice- worth every cent.
IMO, Pool cues work better for pool and billiards cues for billiards, and one is not taking full advantage of available tools if he chooses to not use either for its intended application. Perahps the analogy of knife types works: bread knife vs. non-serrated for cutting a loaf?!
OF course there are Free advice- worth every cent.
Thanks for the answers - kind of what I thought generally. Was playing pool with the carom cue last night and there's much less deflection, much less to adjust to, the only con is what somebody said - for really long straight in shots the thick taper kind of spreads your bridge fingers out when you shoot. Doesn't seem to be a big issue with me - I set up a bunch of long straights and had no problem nailing them. For me, seems to take much less work adjusting to the thick taper for straight pool shots than adjusting for all the deflection that the thin pool shaft has. I'm putting the pool cue up on ebay and sticking with my trusty euro taper.
Admittedly self-serving, but I suggest you check out my website, www.caromcues.com, for a discussion on this topic, and some cue options. rk