When you rack do you lay your cue flat on the table or put the butt on the rail?
- Thread starter alstl
- Start date
I always cringe when I see players (even pros) laying the butt of their cue on the rail. The merest nudge and their cue is headed off the table and onto the floor. On the way down, the shaft is almost guaranteed to get dinged on the edge of the table. After it happens once they will never do that again.
Yes, it looks cool, but definitely not a smart thing to do.
Yes, it looks cool, but definitely not a smart thing to do.
Flat on the table always. Or on my cue claw.
Neither one, I stand my cue up in the right hand pocket.
Flat on the table, diagonally in front of the rack. That way, my opponent can't break until I'm ready for him to break and lift my stick out of his way. Too many times, I've racked the balls and while sliding the rack back in the slot, the d-bag is breaking. Not just loud, what if he jumps the cue ball, etc. Short anwer, flat on table.
I played bar box's for years and learned very quickly to lay the cue flat on the table at a bias so that it would lay completely in front of the rack. After racking and as I walked away I would get the cue with my left hand after I was out of the end rail area. To many eager bar players who just can't wait to get their next game started. I don't like trying to dodge those flying asteroids.
Dick
Dick
Two things I never do.
Lay my cue on the table when I rack,
Clean my tip by wiping it on the carpeted floor.
I agree that laying the cue on the table is inviting accidental contact by balls being rolled from the head of the table and the possibility of the cue rolling off the table and onto the floor.
The tip being placed on the carpet is inviting the only place in the room that some jerk recently spilled coffee or soda pop. The chance of dipping your cue tip into this wet area increases with the more recent tip additions or the expense of replacement.
Lay my cue on the table when I rack,
Clean my tip by wiping it on the carpeted floor.
I agree that laying the cue on the table is inviting accidental contact by balls being rolled from the head of the table and the possibility of the cue rolling off the table and onto the floor.
The tip being placed on the carpet is inviting the only place in the room that some jerk recently spilled coffee or soda pop. The chance of dipping your cue tip into this wet area increases with the more recent tip additions or the expense of replacement.
Actually, for me, neither. I slide my cue down my pants in the rear (down one of the pant legs in the back). Then, when I walk away, I look like "matchstick man" with the stiffened leg, and the other end of the cue walloping me in the back of the head every time I take a step.
Seriously, when I'm racking, the cue is not near the table. It's either on my personal cue rack, or slid into my case standing up.
-Sean
This is interesting as my friend and I went down to Hard Times yesterday to see some GREAT pool and while watching Oscar Dominguez practice he did exactly that and I too cringed. He was racking the balls for himself on the practice table and he placed his cue on the table with the tip down on the table and butt up on the foot rail.
I was wondering what ever possesses a GREAT player like Oscar or anyone else to get into that bad habit. I found myself wondering if they are doing that on purpose and what am I missing here?
Glad to hear that it really is a bad habit and not some secret of the pro elite that I have not been privy to learn.
Tom:
Great stuff! Yes, my cue is not with me when I rack, and I use the towel I have attached to my case to clean the shaft and the tip. (I actually use one side of the towel -- the non-logo'ed side -- for the shaft, and the other [logo'ed] side for the tip. This towel also finds its way into the laundry at least once a week.) I've always done it this way just out of personal convenience/habit, but you raise an interesting point about Murphy's Law making you inadvertently pick the one spot on the carpet that's saturated with coffee, soda, a knocked-over chewing tobacco spittoon, etc. Didn't even think of that!
-Sean
I keep my cue in one hand and grab the rack with the other hand and start catching the balls like that game hunrgy hungry Hippos then when i have all the balls off the table then i kinda tuck my cue under the rail.
Or i just leave it in my case if i know the guy can run out from where is at.
Or i just leave it in my case if i know the guy can run out from where is at.
Always on the cue claw. Never, ever on the table!!
Racking?? Oh, you mean if you're playing in one of those alternate break tourneys? Otherwise, just let your opponent do the racking, and you don't have to worry about it :wink:
Otherwise, just let your opponent do the racking, and you don't have to worry about it :wink:I'm told it's to keep the cue off of the felt so it doesn't get dirty.
But, between the sideways stress it puts on the shaft and the risk of it getting knocked to the ground, I just can't possibly imagine how dirty a place would have to be to make that the best option.
When it comes with me to the table, I lay it flat on the bed and under the rail. Otherwise, it sits in my cue claw.
I lay it flat across the table-between the balls and CB, so who ever I'm playing cant pop the rack when I'm standing there. I have never had anyone shot and hit my cue, I figure this move out after about 6 months of playing. the rack was down by the ball return, and when I was putting the rack away BOOM some guy cracked them hard. My cue was flat on the next table over. My ears were ringing and I didnt like it, so I use my cue like the gate at the horse track, they can break when I want them too with this move.
This is interesting as my friend and I went down to Hard Times yesterday to see some GREAT pool and while watching Oscar Dominguez practice he did exactly that and I too cringed. He was racking the balls for himself on the practice table and he placed his cue on the table with the tip down on the table and butt up on the foot rail.
I was wondering what ever possesses a GREAT player like Oscar or anyone else to get into that bad habit. I found myself wondering if they are doing that on purpose and what am I missing here?
Glad to hear that it really is a bad habit and not some secret of the pro elite that I have not been privy to learn.
Shane does the same thing, perhaps they are on too something
I do the same. Lay it flat across the table.
I look at it as a move to control the table from the get go. :wink:
Some I hear don't lay it flat for fear of getting chalk dust on their cue.
It really looks silly when somebody does lay it up and the low side flops down.
I look at it as a move to control the table from the get go. :wink:
Some I hear don't lay it flat for fear of getting chalk dust on their cue.
It really looks silly when somebody does lay it up and the low side flops down.