What Good Is A Jump Cue?

[macguy]

After watching a set between two solid players and seeing them pull out their jump-cues several times, I really became amazed by the impact the jump-cue has had on the game of 9-ball. A shot that was never even considered is now the correct shot and creative kicking is no longer as necessary or even considered.

Now that the jump cue has been around for a while, do you think pool is better for it? Do Jump Cues Make Pool More/Less challenging? Exciting? Do you carry one?

I am not sure what you are getting, people kick most of the time anyway, the jump is just another shot. What it has done is to neutralize some of the strength of the one foul game. A player can't get a cheap ball in hand by just putting you behind a ball, not even always intentionally, often just missing and leaving you safe. The jump cue gives you another way out. Whether you jump or kick I would say most of the time you sell out a shot, it's not the big deal some like to make it. Unless we go back to playing push-out the jump cue has it's place.

 

[spartan]

i use a jump cue. does it make me a better player? no. it puts me on the same level as others who use it as well.

 

[Snapshot9]

Didn't they

Didn't they have the same type argument about aluminum bats in baseball.

Sports, in general, have gone to the mindset of 'participation' in lieu of
'perfection'. Getting people involved with the sport either as a spectator or playing the sport, and it is all about making money ... in one way or another ..

Whether these evolutions of sports is good or not remains to be seen ...

But one thing for sure, none of them will EVER go back to the way they did it in the old days ... So, you are better to embrace the changes, make the best of them, and enjoy yourself as much as possible.

Jumpsticks change the psychology implored to win a match, and also punish
the average player that can not shoot safeties good enough to prevent a jump shot. The merits or drawbacks could be argued for years, much the same as 2 shot out going to 1 shot out in 9 ball, or getting ball in hand in 8 ball as opposed to the old bar room rules.

Belaboring the points has no merit, embrace it and learn to change with the changes .... people that can not embrace change and change with them are the ones left behind ... irregardless of whether they think it is good or not.

 

[MAGGNET]

Jump Cues

It Is All About Change, Learn To Play Better Safes. You Could Learn To Jump And Come Into The Present Day Of Pool Or Live In 1975. Either Way It Is Your Choice. Why Don't We Play The Old Shoot Out Rules Anymore? Times Change That's Why. Welcome To 2005.

 

[ScottR]

Pool is played ON the table, not in the air. Go play golf if you want to get the ball airborn on a green field.

That being said, I own a jump cue and use it when I have to. If it was banned, I wouldn't cry.
Scott

 

[Teacherman]

Two aspects,

Find a rail or tighten up your safteys, if you saftey is jumpable then is was not a exucuted saftey. Freeze Em.

You're the best Muxy.

How's Yogi?

 

[MAGGNET]

Pool is played ON the table, not in the air. Go play golf if you want to get the ball airborn on a green field.

That being said, I own a jump cue and use it when I have to. If it was banned, I wouldn't cry.
Scott

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID I SHOULD PLAY GOLF AND YOU COULD PLAY CROQUET BECAUSE ACCORDING TO YOU THE BALLS HAVE TO STAY ON A GREEN FIELD.

 

[DaveK]

... YOU COULD PLAY CROQUET BECAUSE ACCORDING TO YOU THE BALLS HAVE TO STAY ON A GREEN FIELD.

... or snooker, it's illegal to jump in snooker.

Dave

 

[MAGGNET]

Or Snooker, Very Good Dave.

 

[Stretch]

I think the game of pool is NOT better off for the jump cue, but maybe more entertaining for the general public to watch.
Jump cues make pool less challenging IMO. Even a hack like me can jump now. Maybe I could learn to jump with a playing cue, but why bother with the jump cues available.
Yes, I'd carry one, but only because you have to if others are. If there was a way to make them illegal I'd be all for it. Trying to make them illegal would have about the same success as prohibition did.

Yes i carry one too, more or less like you, for self defence lol. But i only ever use it for 9 ball. And 9 ball is ...... 9ball right? So my line in the sand is at 9 ball only...cause it's just wack anyways. St.

 

[onepocketchump]

... or snooker, it's illegal to jump in snooker.

Dave

There is also no legal requirement to hit a rail after contact in Snooker. You can roll up to a ball and it's a good hit. Nor is there ball-in-hand anywhere on the table in Snooker.

You people drive me crazy with this debate. Jude, you have been on these boards forever and have seen all the arguments pro and con and yet you bring it up again.

For those that HATE jump cues: I dare you to attempt to play pool with a mace. If you don't know what a mace is then look it up. I dare you to play pool with NO TIP on your cue. You think the equipment makes the player. You are right - better equipment gives ALL players the opportunity to play a better game. A rising tide lifts all boats. If you HATE jump cues then lobby for rules that FAIRLY make them unneeded. In today's rules jump cues are a valuable and needed tool.

For those who are new to this debate - look it up on the boards and you will see thousands of posts regarding the pros and cons.

I have MORE experience with this topic than anyone I have come across. I am PRO JUMP CUE and I will bet that I can kick and masse' about as well as anyone on any of these boards - pros included.

Earl Strickland - I am calling you out here. You use a Cuetec that is shorter than average for your jump shots, i.e. a jump cue. Why do you do this? Would you not agree that your already phenomenal skill at jumping would only be enhanced with better equipment? What would happen to your game if the jump shot itself were banned?

A good player recognizes that he or she must possess and practice ALL skills in order to succeed at pool under today's rules. A GOOD player does not forgo kicking for jumping because of a jump cue. Nor does a GOOD player think that a particular tip makes them play better. A GOOD player simply seeks the equipment which allows him to display all of his skills.

A jump cue is a tool - a tool that works when used properly and doesn't when not used properly. That's it. Next time you want to ban jump cues try driving nails with your hand.

John

 

[catscradle]

...I have MORE experience with this topic than anyone I have come across. I am PRO JUMP CUE and I will bet that I can kick and masse' about as well as anyone on any of these boards - pros included....John

I think most people are aware of your opinion on this subject and your authority to have that opinion be noticed. However, I think the general trend of the posts here that are negative about jump cues is "I don't like them, but they're inevitable, so I deal with them." What's wrong with that attitude? Why should everybody have to think they are a good thing?

I also agree that this topic is "whipping a dead horse", but sometimes that's entertaining too.

 

[ScottR]

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID I SHOULD PLAY GOLF AND YOU COULD PLAY CROQUET BECAUSE ACCORDING TO YOU THE BALLS HAVE TO STAY ON A GREEN FIELD.

Naaahhhhh. My 9-year-old kicks my ass at croquet!

 

[rocky]

The fact is that jump cues are great for television and will draw viewers that normally would stay interested. There are several great jump cues out there, I personaly use and Omega and I love it, stealth makes a great jump cue and most of the pro's use Mezz. The jump break cues are not that effective, the dynamics of what makes a good jump cue and break cue are not he same. If you are just learning to jump, invest in a good, stiff, light jump cue with a phenolic tip. When you get skilled at that learn to jump with a jump cue with a hard leather tip as this will allow greater accuracy and spin controle.

 

[DaveK]

There is also no legal requirement to hit a rail after contact in Snooker. You can roll up to a ball and it's a good hit. Nor is there ball-in-hand anywhere on the table in Snooker.

No ball in hand, but upon fouling you can be asked to shoot it again (respot the cb, try it again). Miss again, another 4 points, respot, try again ... there's no end to the number of consecutive fouls one can rack up (er, down). The games are different, but I'd guess that if jumping were allowed somebody would do it, with a nice little ash-shafted jump stick Especially if they were being told to keep trying a near impossible kick ...

Dave, "yes, I have no point today"

 

[Boro Nut]

... or snooker, it's illegal to jump in snooker.

Dave

Not strictly true. Many of us have been lobbying for years for it to be made illegal, but so far to no avail. We live in hope, but in the meantime we must content ourselves with it being simply against the rules of snooker, penalty four points, (or the value of the ball on, or the value of the ball jumped, or the value of the ball incorrectly struck, whichever is the higher) and not 15 years to life.

Also, failing to keep one foot on the floor at all times during the game constitutes jumping - penalty 18 months.

Also - no moustaches. They are right out. Penalty - string them up and throw away the key.

Boro Nut
Chairman of the Extreme British National Snooker Party

 

[sjm]

A jump cue is a tool - a tool that works when used properly and doesn't when not used properly. That's it. Next time you want to ban jump cues try driving nails with your hand.

It's well known that I'm not a fan of the jump cue, I have to agree in full with this. To anybody aspiring to be a top competitor, the jump cue is part of the game.

What bothers me is watching so many use it as a crutch and who never get around to mastering kicks and masses.

If you become good at jumps, kicks and masses, you'll have some great features in your game. So if you have big dreams as a player, you need to own a jump cue.

 

[DaveK]

Not strictly true. Many of us have been lobbying for years for it to be made illegal, but so far to no avail. We live in hope, but in the meantime we must content ourselves with it being simply against the rules of snooker, penalty four points, (or the value of the ball on, or the value of the ball jumped, or the value of the ball incorrectly struck, whichever is the higher) and not 15 years to life.

Also, failing to keep one foot on the floor at all times during the game constitutes jumping - penalty 18 months.

Also - no moustaches. They are right out. Penalty - string them up and throw away the key.

Boro Nut
Chairman of the Extreme British National Snooker Party

Sorry for any confusion... jumping snooker balls in CANADA is 5 to 10, with time off for good behaviour (like that ever happens). We broke away from you a few years back, and have taken the opportunity to pass a few laws for the betterment of our fine country (we don't say colony anymore). I mean really, those little white spots on the lovely green cloth look absolutely horrible, and the penalty shall suit the crime !

'Cruel and Unusual' Dave

the above is not strictly true either, I just seem to have that problem lately ...

 

[onepocketchump]

I think most people are aware of your opinion on this subject and your authority to have that opinion be noticed. However, I think the general trend of the posts here that are negative about jump cues is "I don't like them, but they're inevitable, so I deal with them." What's wrong with that attitude? Why should everybody have to think they are a good thing?

I also agree that this topic is "whipping a dead horse", but sometimes that's entertaining too.

I have no problem with that attitude. I face things everyday that I wish were different but I have to live with them. My beef is with those who want to claim that a jump cue is a gimmick solely intended to bridge the skill gap. This is not true. It is a tool that enhances and rewards superior skill by making shots possible that were not possible before. The exact same result as the introduction of the leather tip brought about. A leather tip with chalk on it does not make someone a better player. It gives them the opportunity to be the best player they can be by making all shots possible. Whether they ever become skilled enough to execute all those shots has nothing to do with the leather tip or the jump cue. These are two inert objects that are engineered to a specific purpose. How they are used depends entirely on the operator.

John

 

[hotcues]

I was playing a good player last friday and he has a easy hook on me. But he doesn't play it because he knows I have a jump cue and would just jump it. So he shot alot harder hook and misses it, I run out! I ask him why didn't he shoot the hook? He said that he knows I'd jump it! So I didn't get to use my jump cue! And I still win and take the money home! Thats the power of a jump cue!!!!!!!!!