Technology, has it improved pool.

R

recoveryjones

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I recentley bought a predator shaft (for my layani cue) and an X-Breaker break cue.

I'm finding although I prefer the feel(and looks) of the Layani shaft better, however , the predator shaft does make some spin shots a fair bit easier.
The Layini offers very a solid hit with the technology of the conical joint.

My break is something I need to work on especially getting the timing down for power.When I do, however, make good contact the X'breaker more than delivers outstanding results.I used to aim off center(of one ball) for deflection to compensate for my stroke.With the X-breaker I'm aiming more dead center.I am also noticing more cue ball control with accurate hits.
Jumping is a joke,it's so easy.

I'm also noticing other shafts on the market like the OB-1 and the smart shaft, the red dot etc etc.

Stroke straightners like the stroke trainer and Joe tuckers third eye have also apparently helped some people.Other people has tried a lazer cue.Jib rackers/cheaters are peeved by the Sardo rack and we all know what Strickland thinks about short jump cues.

Recentley one of our pool halls banned jump cues and I'm finding some of our so called A+ players don't have a clue on a two (or more) rail kick. Have jump cues ruined the game?

I'm finding that all this stuff has it's merits, however, won't save your a$$ when the heat is on.Basically it all boils down to stroke and how much relaxation you can put into your stroke when it really counts.There is no miracle cure folks.

Mosconi, Crane,Caras, Greenleaf and Lassiter had no problem playing great pool without technology as they didn't need it.For hacks like me, however, I'll take any help I can get.

In summary:

How has technology helped you?
Do you use any special shafts etc to help your game?
In what areas do you think technology can improve even more?

RJ
 
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I think this has been an ongoing problem with pool for a long long time.
Pool wise, jump cues, low deflection shafts, etc etc are all gimmicks to get your money. Do they make a person a better player? Usually not. They tend to make people more apt to rely on and be able to blame their equipment more rather than their lack of practice time.
People have been jumping balls for a long long time. Somebody saw that some folks were using the shaft only for jump shots and hence a new market appeared.
Someone figured out that alot of people are too lazy to practice, so now there are shafts that you dont have to allow for deflection.......
What made the old timers great and anyone else, was/is practice. Thats the bulk of how you get good.... and thats how you stay good.
As far as the jump cue vs kicking.......... there are more people (usually newer players) who would rather learn to jump cause its flashy, seems more difficult to those not knowledgable.
Which goes back to the gimmick/looking good rather than just playing and letting your brain build a repetitive memory bank and your body developing the skill.
Chuck
 
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recoveryjones said:
....

In summary:

How has technology helped you?
Do you use any special shafts etc to help your game?
In what areas do you think technology can improve even more?

RJ
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No, it hasn't "improved" pool though it may have changed it. All the technology in the world won't make me beat Efren.

I have a break/jump cue. So I can jump better, once a month at most, big deal. I can break better, but probably won't run out anyway, so what difference does it make. I've tried a Predator, but I don't think it contributed anything to my game and I didn't like it's "feel" as much as a standard shaft.

Pool is a simple game and I dont' think it needs more technology personally. I'd rather just see a level playing field. If somebody can jump with a playing cue and I can't... then more power to him.

One of my favorite quotes is from American humourist Ogden Nash...
"Progress was alright once, but it has gone on too long." ... think about it.
 
recoveryjones said:
In summary:

How has technology helped you?
Do you use any special shafts etc to help your game?
In what areas do you think technology can improve even more?

RJ
Click to expand...

Technology has helped my game a ton, once I learned how to apply it. Technologies like the Sir Joseph cue glove, Tweeten's Tip Pick, and the VCR come immediatly to mind (for me).

Now I'm using the technology of digital cameras, computers, and spreadsheets to improve myself even more. There are times when I'm working on something that I know I can answer myself, if I could only see it from a different perspective becuase I know what I'm looking for to improve.

While writing this, I just thought of something. If someone takes this idea and runs with it, no harm no foul. I'm not one who sues at the drop of a hat. More power to ya if ya got the cash.

It's possible to make a stroke training cue utilizing a laser and fibre optics in the shaft. The joint being the conductivity of power from the butt. It could probably be turned on and off remotely or with the twist of the butt ring.

With a phenolic tip, the opening for the fibre optic tube will less likely to distort during play. (no chalk needed)

Could be a great tool for instructors.

___________________________________________________

Special shaft... only one I own is a 10 pie Predator 314 bought in 1995 in Les Vegas. I only use it now as a break cue. It still has the original ferrel on it, but has gone through a wide range of tips. Ferrel has only lost 1/1000th of original length, but has had well over a dozen tips. The one I settled on was Everest.
___________________________________________________

Answered that earlier in this post.
 
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A+ players don't have a clue on a two (or more) rail kick.

recoveryjones said:
Recentley one of our pool halls banned jump cues and I'm finding some of our so called A+ players don't have a clue on a two (or more) rail kick. Have jump cues ruined the game?RJ
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Hey I resemble that comment.

Nick
 
Nick,

I'm not sure if you can kick or not because you are too busy running out or putting me in lock-up safes ;)
 
IMO, improving pool technology is like a double edged sword. With shafts like predator's or other low deflection shafts, its true that theres less deflection but at the same time you still have to adjust to SOME deflection. I guess it might make someone shoot with english more accuratly but then they're probably in deep trouble when they dont have a low deflection shaft to play with. As for break cues, its probably great and all but i realy dont see the point of it. Now if i could afford an x-breaker then of course i would use it. But as for now, im content with breaking with a house cue. Maybe my break isnt as powerful as it could be, but i still manage to get balls in on break even with a soft tip on the cue. And then the controversial topic of jump cues..... I remember i use to jump with a full length cue. A few months ago i realized that although kicking is important, sometimes jumping over a ball is more accurate when trying to pocket a ball. If the object ball is near a pocket then i can probably kick it in. If its in the middle of the table then im thinking of playing a safe off it cause i know my chances of getting it in are low to nothing. Now if i happen to have a jump cue then i would pull it out and take the jump. Or perhaps if i break poorly i'll push out into a safe and jump my way out. I cut down a cheap cue and stuck a phenolic tip onto it a few months back and i practiced my jumping. I cant exactly jump with a load of english on the cue ball but my jumps are fairly accurate and i can jump pretty close to the ball. Meanwhile, ive only brought the cue with me to the hall probably 3-4 times. Reason being that i found myself kicking much more than jumping (maybe becasue im too lazy to pull the jump cue out of my bag?). Ive been practicing my kicking the past few months and its really improved now.

With all that aside, i have to confess this. I am a gadget junkie and when all this pool stuff comes out (x-breaker, ob-1, etc.), the first thing i say is "i want this!". i guess the only thing stoping me is the fact that i cant afford all this stuff....
 
Billiards has a long history of innovations along with many of the players fighting tooth and nail against *any* change.

I think I read that when the idea of using a stick was thought of, players decided this was for women only and all "real" players would continue to use the mace (paddle).

There was a big battle when rubber for cushions (instead of cushions stuffed with horse hair) was invented. Players thought it would "change the game"!

When the leather tip was invented, I think they kicked up a fuss about that. Same thing when chalk for the tip was discovered. I think I read somewhere that some players thought using chalk was "cheating"...
 
These types of debates will be here for the ages. there's no real answer to many of these questions. the game and equipment change, and those that preside over the game are entrusted with the game's rules and specifications.

I recall reading that 3-cushion legend Welker Cochran took exception to having diamonds along the rail, arguing that it made the game of billiards too easy! Personally, I'm kind of glad he lost that battle.
 
Technology may have made the game a little easier for the average Joe to learn, but no matter how many advances there are the best in the world will always be the most talented hard workers that can adapt to the ever so changing world of pool. If anything I would say that technology has widened the range of options and makes the sport more attractive.
 
IMO Technology has IMPROVED POOL EQUIPMENT, but the Game of Pool is a Game of Skill, and a Great Player can do real well with a House Cue....and Decent Tip......;)
 
sjm said:
These types of debates will be here for the ages. there's no real answer to many of these questions. the game and equipment change, and those that preside over the game are entrusted with the game's rules and specifications.

I recall reading that 3-cushion legend Welker Cochran took exception to having diamonds along the rail, arguing that it made the game of billiards too easy! Personally, I'm kind of glad he lost that battle.
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Me too SJM.
We have only one table in all of vancouver with no diamonds and I'm totally lost on it.I've learned about 8 kicking systems as feel is aquired easier for some than others.

That table is my friend Nick B's favorite:D and the guys being modest in the previous because he's a true A+ and a kicking machine:D
RJ
 
Diamonds are for women (who don't play pool)

RJ kicks like a god. The only reason I don't use a system is to muck with his head.

Nick "My wife has all the diamonds" B
 
Nick B said:
RJ kicks like a god. The only reason I don't use a system is to muck with his head.

Nick "My wife has all the diamonds" B
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Nick,

How are you doing? Wish you and your family a wondeful Easter.:) :)

You know, a lot of people say kicking takes a long time to master while jumping is easier because of the shorter jump cues. I have to say kicking can be learned. I talked to RJ and he showed me a lot of kicking systems. With a bit of thinking and practise, I am much better with my kicks now.

I actually feel that I need to improve my kicking skill, so I can make my balls with a jump when I have to, and kick it in when jump is not an option. A good kicking knowledge can help me to run out more tables, just as a good jumping technique can.

With regard to technology, good technology can help to make rubbers more consistent and durable thus increasing the chance of making the kick consistently.

Richard
 
Richard,
where you been...I tried a x-breaker the other day...nice technology.

Nick
 
Pool

is minor league for selling tech gadgets to improve your game. Look how much the big boys get for their toys in the big game, Golf!! Amazing how much people will pay for golf and not bat an eye, then complain about table rates!
 
dirtydog48 said:
Amazing how much people will pay for golf and not bat an eye, then complain about table rates!
Click to expand...

Golfers are of a different mentality, plus you only need look at a Major golf Event on TV, or Attend one in Person and see who are the Sponsors of GOLF to see Golf is a Game for the WEALTHY....

Pool is a Workingman's GAME IMO. Golf is a Game for those who tell the Workingman what to do....

When was the last time Pool Tournaments had Major Sponsor like Cadillac, Mercedes Benz, Buck, Chavits Regal booze, Rolex Watches, Stock Brokers, Major CPA Accounting/Consulting Firms, etc.... I think the answer is NEVER.

Those are the Sponsor of Golf....;)
 
With the modern technology i can use much more money in equipement and still miss; so it helps me to get rid of my extra cash ;-)
 
Well, lots of golfers complain about green fee, too.:D :D

A lot of good golfers also use the same set of old clubs that they have had for years, and some new golfers like to walk around with the most expensive clubs they can afford. Some people like the latest invention, others are more into traditional things. It is simply human nature in my opinion.
 
I don't think technology has changed the game all that much. It's improved the consistency of tables, rails, and balls, which is certainly a good thing. The few technological advances that really make the game easier can be banned relatively easily. It doesn't take much to ban jump rods, jump cues, or phenolic tips from competitive play. Technology has affected golf much more than pool - look at how much farther pro golfers can drive the ball today versus 20 or 30 years ago.
 
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