What does breaking a cue supposed to do?

[X Breaker]

After reading how so and so broke his cue, I can't help but wonder, " is breaking a cue on TV supposed to make a point?"

If so, is that to say the cue is to blame?

Isn't that kind of disrespectful to one's sponsor?

On the other hand, if the player is also the cue maker, isnt that like saying he does not like what he made?

If he is not trying to send a message, then why?

If a player wants to take his frustration out, it would not make sense to destroy his tool of trade. What if he cannot find another cue that hits as well ever?

It would make more sense if he tries to smash a chair or something...

I never felt like destroying my cue when I miss, I would sell it, but I always keep it like it was my baby as long as I own it.

For a pro, a cue is what helps him to make money, it is like an extension of his arm. Breaking his cue is almost like breaking his arm, is it not?

Richard

 

[PKM]

All good points, I doubt all of the implications were taken into account during the moment of breakage.

 

[RiverCity]

Aside from showing everyone how big of a friggin baby you are (sorry Earl.... ) Its just an act of blowing off steam. Some people do it silently in their own headspace..... some do it violently with their surroundings. I know some players blame misses on their cue, or the table etc..... but they realize in the end that it was them that missed, not the cue.
Watch tennis players and other sports where things get thrown like rackets etc. Its not superuncommon, but it is a bit shameful in my opinion.
Chuck

 

[cuejoey]

i think Earl breaking the cue is like another famous pro always picking off the slightest bit of lint off the table..they have so much concentration and are so into their game every little thing bothers them..i will never be at their playing level so i will never understand ..but i have been involved in other things in my life where i put everything into it..so i can relate somewhat...what i do not understand is how people can violently fight and even kill over a game...and what is up with people that will bet a certain amount and have no intention of ever paying up..i have never personally encountered this...may everyone have a great New Year..Cuejoey

 

[X Breaker]

Well, in some sports, we see the players getting mad at the ref or ever trying to fight with the ref, but I have not seen that in pool. I am not sure if it has ever happened.

I know a lot of UK snooker players would never trade anything for their snooker cue, even if it was not really a very expensive cue to begin with. It is because they believe they may never play as well as they play ever again if they switch cues.

I think it was Ray Readon (spelling might be incorrect, please correct me if I am wrong) lost his cue and never played at his level again. Stephen Hendry lost his cue (most likely stolen), which was kind of like a house cue that one can buy real cheap, and he offered 50,000 pounds or something like that (no question asked) to have it back, and it was returned to him.



Richard

 

[Irish634]

Hi Richard,

If so, is that to say the cue is to blame?

I would agree that it could be perceived that way. Incidents like this tend to remind me of a ticked off golfer throwing his clubs or ball because he/she is playing poorly. I remember a pro golfer breaking his driver on a tree because he couldn't hit a straight tee shot. Was it the club's fault? Of course not, but the golfer probably thought that at the time. Was funny as hell, but still in very poor sportsmanship.

Isn't that kind of disrespectful to one's sponsor?

Of course it is. The company sponsors an individual to represent them. So in a sense, the individual is an extension of the company that sponsors them. Look at when a Nascar driver has a temper tantrum and does something stupid. The sponsor does not hesitate to reprimand the driver and/or team owner. It probably violates a clause or two in the contract as well.

On the other hand, if the player is also the cue maker, isnt that like saying he does not like what he made?

Either that or he/she thinks they can just build another one.

If he is not trying to send a message, then why?

Probably think they look cool or something. In my opinion, the individual needs lessons in sportsmanship and anger management. Then again, I don't make the money or compete as these people do so I really can't reference the same type of pressure these individuals are under to perform. But I think the embarrassment of looking like a jackass in front of maybe millions of people would be enough to keep some in check.

If a player wants to take his frustration out, it would not make sense to destroy his tool of trade. What if he cannot find another cue that hits as well ever?

Since the individual is sponsored, maybe he/she assumes he/she will get a new piece of equipment without recourse.

For a pro, a cue is what helps him to make money, it is like an extension of his arm. Breaking his cue is almost like breaking his arm, is it not?

I would agree.

Happy Holidays,
Craig

 

[X Breaker]

Craig,

Thank you for the detailed reply.

You made a very good point. Since I do not play at the level they play, I cannot understand the pressure they experience. The pros are playing under a lot of pressure and perhaps it is this pressure which makes them do funny things?

I love my cues very much and I am more of a cue lover than a player, that is why I just cannot understand the reasoning behind breaking one's cue. I get quite upset even if someone so as touches my cue without asking me.

If I ever become a good player(which is unfortunately very unlikely... ), I may break a few cues just to show that I am part of the elite group .

Happy holidays,
Richard

 

[Gregg]

I once broke a graphite Earl Strickland cue, and believe you me, that cue had it coming.

 

[Irish634]

I once broke a graphite Earl Strickland cue, and believe you me, that cue had it coming.

LMAO... I am sure it did Gregg

<Edited for the following>

Thank you for the detailed reply.

You are most welcome Richard

 

[suckershot]

Some people just have anger management problems, that's all. I remember one time, a friend of mine had made it to the finals of a tournament (pretty low lever, but, you know, big for him at the time, because we're not very good at all), and he just choked up. Then he started walking around muttering, cussing, punching the vending machine, slamming his stick on the table. He's generally pretty easy going, mellow, agreeable fellow. But sometimes frustration sets in, and he loses it.

Even I have anger problems; it's just that my problems never manifest themselves physically much, other than maybe an occasional bang of the fist on the table. But certainly, I'm never breaking my stick, or doing anything that might result in the breaking of my stick. I love it too much. That, and it would cost too much to replace.

 

[ironman]

After reading how so and so broke his cue, I can't help but wonder, " is breaking a cue on TV supposed to make a point?"

If so, is that to say the cue is to blame?

Isn't that kind of disrespectful to one's sponsor?

On the other hand, if the player is also the cue maker, isnt that like saying he does not like what he made?

If he is not trying to send a message, then why?

If a player wants to take his frustration out, it would not make sense to destroy his tool of trade. What if he cannot find another cue that hits as well ever?

It would make more sense if he tries to smash a chair or something...

I never felt like destroying my cue when I miss, I would sell it, but I always keep it like it was my baby as long as I own it.

For a pro, a cue is what helps him to make money, it is like an extension of his arm. Breaking his cue is almost like breaking his arm, is it not?

Richard

It means they put about as thought into the shot.

I know a guy who has his excuse ready before he misses.

 

[Gregg]

A better question would be "Why do people allow themselves to get so angry that they break their cue?"

When I was first learning the game (I've never stopped, BTW) I was getting extremely frustrated with my lack of results. I never realized the amount of time and experience it took just to become a mid level to entry level bar league shooter. Not a lofty goal. But when your starting from nothing, and you are a competitive person, your desire can drive you into madness. I didn't know real, tangible improvement takes months and years, not weeks and days. But it was my desire to become a better shooter. So what if I broke a cue here or there, talked to myself, went a bit crazy; it's part of the learning process for me, and demonstrates my passon for inprovement and the game.

 

[SchuettS]

I once broke a graphite Earl Strickland cue, and believe you me, that cue had it coming.

me too.. The shaft broke right at the joint, best thing Ive ever done. I got pics to prove it,

 

[Wolven]

Here is something that will put a smile on your face Richard.

I was playing in a tournament. Down 3-0 I felt like destroying my expensive Predator cue. However, I did come to my senses, put the cue away and started shooting with you guessed - Samsara X-breaker, 14 mm sort of plastic tip. Tied the score at 3-3 but lost in the end 4-3.

Anyway, nice job for a break cue.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

 

[mudphud]

Well, in some sports, we see the players getting mad at the ref or ever trying to fight with the ref, but I have not seen that in pool. I am not sure if it has ever happened.

I know a lot of UK snooker players would never trade anything for their snooker cue, even if it was not really a very expensive cue to begin with. It is because they believe they may never play as well as they play ever again if they switch cues.

I think it was Ray Readon (spelling might be incorrect, please correct me if I am wrong) lost his cue and never played at his level again. Stephen Hendry lost his cue (most likely stolen), which was kind of like a house cue that one can buy real cheap, and he offered 50,000 pounds or something like that (no question asked) to have it back, and it was returned to him.



Richard

Happened to Quinten Hann a couple of years ago before the World Snooker Championship...got plastered and played Peter Ebdon the next morning hungover. Suffice to say, he lost 10-2.

 

[Zirroe]

sometimes people just have one of those days, now I've never broke a cue but I have a friend that has probably broken more cues than i have ever owned, I once heard he was gambling with this other guy and got into an argument with him and he snapped the other guys cue right infront of him.

 

[rackem]

sometimes people just have one of those days, now I've never broke a cue but I have a friend that has probably broken more cues than i have ever owned, I once heard he was gambling with this other guy and got into an argument with him and he snapped the other guys cue right infront of him.

Make sure you keep him away from that Tad!

 

[Cameron Smith]

Well, in some sports, we see the players getting mad at the ref or ever trying to fight with the ref, but I have not seen that in pool. I am not sure if it has ever happened.

I know a lot of UK snooker players would never trade anything for their snooker cue, even if it was not really a very expensive cue to begin with. It is because they believe they may never play as well as they play ever again if they switch cues.

I think it was Ray Readon (spelling might be incorrect, please correct me if I am wrong) lost his cue and never played at his level again. Stephen Hendry lost his cue (most likely stolen), which was kind of like a house cue that one can buy real cheap, and he offered 50,000 pounds or something like that (no question asked) to have it back, and it was returned to him.



Richard

I never heard that about Ray Reardon, but I know a similar thing happened to Alain Robideaux (I haven't clue how you spell his last name).

As far as anger stories in snooker, I have heard of players shattering their cues in a fit of rage. Of course Alex Higgins has had his share of temper tantrum, punching refs, throwing his cue at the crowd etc.

 

[Snapshot9]

Anger

I have been mad many times when playing, but mostly at myself, for not performing up to the standards of play I hold myself too, but in 45 years of playing, I have never threw my cue or have broken one out of anger.

People do that when they feel powerless. It is a display of power and intimidation, usually coming when they can not solve problems or issues in their lives. I have seen many do it because they think something is easy, and have no conception of the effort and intelligence it takes to overcome their problems, and some people just do not care.

Self discipline is very important in one's life, no matter what avenue you seek to find it. That's just one reason God gave us a brain and a conscious (containing a sense of right and wrong).

Exercising, Athletics, and Martial Arts have been just 3 factors for self discipline in my life. I have believed in the balance between mind, body, and spirit for most of my life. I have fallen short of it many times, but I always come back to it.

 

[buddha162]

I've seen a 3k Mottey javelined across the room, no damage to the cue.

Many years ago, in a Taipei poolroom, I saw a guy stick the butt of his cue into a corner pocket, and leaned on the cue until the handle splintered. He then slammed the whole thing, butt-first, onto the slate, just to make sure it's dead. The cue was a 8k Gina.

-Roger (any clown can break a cuetech...lol)