how to keep pool cue straight
If you have trouble seeing a bend in the shaft, hold the cue beneath a good light source and look for a bend in the shadow. You might want to practice on a really bent cue rather than your favorite stick or try it on house cues, which tend to have sturdier shafts than more flexible custom cue sticks. Body alignment in pool means your stroking arm, head, eyes and cue are all lined up straight towards your target ball. We list the various ways of finding out if your billiards or snooker cue completely aligns with a straight line. Fold a paper towel in half or in quarters (depending on the size of the dented area). Just so you know, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Spray the cue liberally with water, and keep damp and warm (80-plus degrees). You can always play with a cue that has minor deformities or warps unless the distortions are too close to the tip. Just leave the stick hanging from the ceiling for a couple of weeks as the force of gravity will bring it back to shape. Check out for any deformity or distortion while you see down; if you spot any warping on a section, you can infer that you’re staring at a bent cue. Now, the weight that you will be comfortable with is a matter of individual choice. Anyway, the majority of players either go-between 19-ounce to 21ounce cue. To do this, just slide the cue forward while aiming steadily. If you want to check out some highly recommended pool cues then check out the link, These top cues are worth checking out! ", Pro Pool - Ten Billiards Tips Your Opponents Don't Know, Improve Your Pool Game With These Billiards Shooting Tips, The Difference Between Wood and Fiberglass Pool Sticks. Over time pool cues will lose the shine and will look dirty because of chalk stain. After that, incline the shaft at a 60˚ vis-à-vis the floor. Dry the cue stick thoroughly with a clean towel. Now, the weight that you will be comfortable with is a matter of individual choice. Always clean the cue carefully. And players under 5’8” may need to drop down to a 52” or 48” cue. Hold the pool cue at the balance point. If you don’t do it correctly, you may ruin your shot. By holding it correctly, a player can increase their precision, focus, and steadiness – all very important to play pool. I would pick it up at the butt of the cue, and feel how heavy it is, you don’t want it to be too light because the extra weight helps, that being said, you don’t want one that is too light. It will help against future warping and damage to your cue. Leave enough room to get your hand on the table and cue comfortably. If you wish to take optimum advantage of the rolling technique, you’ll have to constantly keep your eye out for the cue tip’s motion. For a start, the pool table’s play area surface on which you roll the cue may not be perfectly flat. 1. hang it from the ceiling by tying a string around the ferrule let it hang for about 10 days. Another efficient way of making sure that the pool cue is straight throughout is to hold its butt and position its tip on the floor. One of the more bizarre ways to fix a shaft (that actually works) is to hang your cue in the air in an upright position, tying it to a string attached to the ceiling. Sometimes, having a friend watch you can be beneficial in spotting any additional movement. LoveCueSports is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Why rolling your cue on the table isn’t a good indicator of straightness, What other things should be considered when checking which cue to use, The dos and don’ts of keeping the cue perfectly straight. Using steel wool exposes the pores in the wood to dirt and humidity, thereby affecting its durability. Once you’re done with cleaning the stick, reseal the cue with a wax or sealant.. Never rest the cue against the wall or place it close to a source of heat such as a fireplace or radiator. Place the object ball level with the 1st diamond from the corner pocket to start with. Now, turn the stick on its pointed end bit by bit and look down at the tip from the butt end. generally speaking. Holding a cue stick in the wrong way, even by just a little can ruin any chance of making a good shot. Then again, the stick could quiver or shake a bit if there is a minuscule imperfection in the table felt or cloth, thereby negating the rolling test. I wait to see where the ball comes back and do not start to play until it regularly returns to the tip of the cue where have finished my stroke. As a rule of thumb, players between 5’8” and 6’4” typically do fine with a 58” cue. Choosing a cue that suits your improved level might be worth considering. Shoot a straight stop shot. If you are looking for a faster fix to your warped cue, another tried-and-tested way of fixing negligible bends or curves is to use the power and heft of your arms. Keep your body and the line of your dominant arm directly in line with the cue ball. Lastly, you will then want to attach your new cue tip. However, be careful enough not to press too hard or you might end up cracking or breaking it. Reply. Do you dread shooting that long straight in 8-ball or 9-ball? Set up the cue ball near one end of the table and an object ball near the other end, more or less in a straight line up and down the table. Store the cue case in a cool and dry place or better still if you keep the case in a temperature-controlled room. You should keep in mind that you may not be able to see the tip of the shaft clearly if the stick is warped or bent. not always effective. 5. Position the cue on the floor at an angle of 60˚ to the surface, and place the palm of your left or right hand exactly on the warping. Matthew Sherman is an experienced pool and billiards instructor and the author of "Picture Yourself Shooting Pool. To ‘sight a shaft,’ you’ll have to raise it and keep it steady at your eye level. at a 60-degree angle to the floor, place the flat of one hand, palm down, directly on the bend. Sometimes I take a little while but it seems like good practice." Then you can just hold up the pool cue tip with the help of your hand. Once you’ve straightened the bend, turn the shift slowly, and repeat the procedure till you feel that the stick’s straightness has been restored. Slowly, roll your pool cue across the table. The tip shouldn’t be too tightly compacted as this will hinder its ability to hold chalk and cause more miscues. Sighting your cue is the most reliable way to check for warping. What to learn more about the: What is the best break cue Best cues for an intermediate players Ultimate billiard equipment guide. Then again, the stick could quiver or shake a bit if there is a minuscule, Pool shafts’ weight varies from 17oz (ounce) to 21oz (ounce). When you get the hang of it, it will take only a few moments to repair minor bends in a cue. continues to be the most effective technique and hence extremely popular. The weight of the cue is usually enough to straighten small bends in a few weeks, and as it hangs, it makes for a fine conversation piece for your living room. No matter whatever drape type you choose, stay away from cues that come without any wraps as you won’t be able to grip these sticks firmly. To change a pool cue ferrule, you will need to remove the old one with a pair of pliers, or unscrew, and then insert the replacement onto your cue with a lathe or hammer and wood glue to secure it in place. The "tried and true" method of rolling a stick on the table to see if it's straight isn't always true, because the table could have wobble spots that make the cue bounce, or a misshapen tip or the ferrule holding the tip could make a cue look bent even though the shaft is perfectly straight. If the tip end is fully visible throughout and you don’t spot any twisting or warping, you can safely conclude that the cue is seamlessly straight. But if you do break a cue that you deemed too bent to use, you had nothing to lose in the first place, right? first roll the cue on the table and watch when u can see the … Press down on the cue, holding it still with your hand. Store your pool stick in a hard polyform cue case or cushioned case when you’re done with playing. There are many ways to hold a pool cue, very similar to writing or your swing arm in tennis, golf or cricket. Many individuals, (and that includes seasoned players as well) that you can establish the cue’s straightness by rolling it on the table’s playfield. This will help to protect it and prevent possible damage. For each cue stick, there is a particular length of bridge for which you can aim straight at a close object ball and then pivot about your bridge hand and shoot straight through the new line and hit the object ball full. Recording your shot on video is another great way to spot … Preferably on a 9 foot table. The pressure you exert on the shaft by leaning on it could change its shape. Remember to make proper alignment of the stick and the … Releasing a cue can be tricky and many people do this wrong. Press down on the cue, holding it still with your hand. Press hard and flex that shaft — it shouldn't break unless you really overdo it. A slight bend does not harm play much, and there are ways to straighten out the stick if you believe a bend is affecting your game. Go down on the shot, lining up your stick dead center through both balls. There are a lot of professionals who do. Fill a couple of old tube socks with sand for weight and tie them to the butt of the hanging pool cue. That’s probably telling enough to say that warped and bent cues are no longer usable. Good pool cues are hard to come by, that's why if you can straighten yours, then I recommend you do so. It should not move from side to side at all. Everyone has a preference on how they like to hold/swing things. The shaft’s weight should suffice for straightening minor warps or deformities in 3-4 weeks. Before taking that one, big shot, learn to hold the pool cue at the balance point. When you move the cue forward, your forearm, elbow, hand, and the cue should all move in one straight line straight to the cue ball. Now, lower the cue a bit, and rotate it in a 360˚ angle very slowly, and continue looking down from the butt end. 2. Thank you if you use our links, we really appreciate. Best of luck and I do hope I can help! There are other strategies that involved positioning your cue ball in other places but, to improve your break it’s best to start with small steps. However, you’d be delighted to know that you can always straighten a cue if it warps or bends. It does not need to be emphasized that you should doubly ensure the pool stick is not bent or twisted before buying it. The only downside of using a pool cue made of wood is that it tends to warp with time. Lay your cue down on a pool table (put it together first if it’s a two piece cue). Once you have taken these steps to straighten your cue, I highly recommend getting a protective cue case. So your at a bar or pool hall and you want to choose the best possible cue to play with. This works well if you know what you are doing but you chance breaking the shaft. Bear in mind that your pool cue could wobble (even if the pool cue is straight) even with the slightest of variations in the felt. Once you have taken these steps to straighten your cue, I highly recommend getting a, 5 Top Garden Party Ideas – Billiard Themed, Step-by-Step: How to Hold a Pool Cue For Beginners, Pool Table Pocket Reducers – Improve Your Pool, Discover All About Cues – & How to Pick a Pool Cue, How Long Does a Cue Tip Last & Repair Guide, Lot of 4 Fiberglass 58" 2 Piece Pool Cue - Billiard Table Sticks 18-21 OZ, GARSEN 4 Pieces Pool Stick Cue Stick 58 inch 18 oz 19 oz 20 oz 21 oz Pool Cue with Unique Design Wrap, Set of 4 Valley House Bar Pool Cue Sticks, Best Pool Table Felt for Home Table- 2021. . If you are cueing straight, the cue ball should hit the cushion and virtually come back to your tip. Now apply pressure on the bend with your palm all the time, keeping the shaft stable. Though there are many ways of checking the straightness of a pool cue, ‘sighting the cue’ continues to be the most effective technique and hence extremely popular. So, there you are; we have listed all the effective techniques you can use for checking out if your pool cue is straight or not. If your cue wavers and moves to one side, re-check your stance and stroke to see what is causing the additional movement. This is a sign that you have correctly placed your hands on the cue. Your cue shouldn't slow down until the tip has actually hit the ball. However, if you’re still low on the learning curve, then having a ramrod straight pool cue is indispensable. Do not lean or press down on the cue with your hands in between your shots. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The tapering profile implies that the shaft’s diameter is not the same throughout but rather decreases gradually towards the tip. Stop with your tip near the cue ball when you believe you have the alignment. However. Rubber wraps offer you a good grip but they eventually become slippery and wear out quickly. Many individuals, (and that includes seasoned players as well) that you can establish the cue’s straightness by rolling it on the table’s playfield. If its time for a new battle-axe then consider these top of the range pool cues. Rotate the cue slowly on its tip, looking for a spot where it curves up toward you; this is where your cue is bent. generally speaking, sort tips help apply more english while hard tips help with more power. 3. Thanks for reading my blog on How To Break In Pool I do hope this was … The task for ascertaining the cue’s straightness is remarkably simple and easy. Contrary to what you think, determining whether your pool shaft is warped, does not involve rocket science. Use the thumb and index … As hard as it may be, parting with your beloved cue for a newer, better one, sometimes it's just the right thing to do. You need to open your palm and put on the surface of the pool table behind the cue ball. But if you’re someone who is still learning the ropes, you can make the most of these tips for choosing a pool cue to play with:-. Try to keep the pool stick between your hip and waistline. Other Articles You May Be Interested In. In case your height is below or above this range, then you’ll need to go for a cue with a length of 48/52 inches and 61 inches, respectively. Press the iron to the towel for five or six seconds; you may see some steam from the heat interacting with the wet towel. A wood cue is standard in billiards, not only because of tradition but because of performance. The heat could lead to warping of the cue.. Do not leave the cue behind in your vehicle trunk or in any place that is cold and dank or hot and humid. Trying to look down from the pool stick’s butt end towards the tip is akin to aiming with a rifle. This is the most important step of playing pool. Leave it there motionless for a week or more, letting gravity pull the cue into shape. Keep your follow-through straight and relaxed. Continue to apply the iron in small doses until the dent is removed. For a start, the pool table’s play area surface on which you roll the cue may not be perfectly flat. Pool players have traditionally used wooden pool sticks for the simple reason that cues made from wood perform better than fiberglass shafts. The shaft’s weight should suffice for straightening minor warps or deformities in 3-4 weeks. Although it sounds somewhat eccentric, you can restore the shaft’s straightness by suspending it upright from the ceiling with the help of a string. As you work out your alignment issues, you should be able to achieve good accuracy with this test around 8/10 times. Lastly, to make yourself more sure, look at your hand and see if your hand makes a 90-degree angle with the cue. for some obvious reasons. Cues are built to withstand the normal straight line impact occurring in the game. Let’s take a look at this entire process with a bit more detail. Instead of or in addition to the roll technique, hold the cue at its butt end, gently rest the tip on the floor, and set the stick at about a 60-degree angle to the ground. Better players are aware of what they need to consider before choosing a pool cue. The cue ball goes between the middle diamond of the table and the diamond just to its right to start. What is English in Pool? You can actually fix minor bends in your cue with your own arm strength. How To Chalk A Pool Cue Stick When chalking you cue sticks the correct way you will be using a rolling motion. You can easily find out if the pool stick enables you to view its tip by using specific methods or techniques. Cues come with hard, soft or medium tips. We recommend positioning your cue ball dead center on the head string and hitting the front of the head ball straight on. It is the narrowing of the stick that makes the shaft wobble or shake when you roll it on the pool table. Clean your cue with a clean, dry piece of cloth or rag. Pool tables are not ideal for this sort of test. It also ensures … There are a couple of ways to do it but very had to get it right, It will never be the same as a straight cue tho. Luckily for you, you don’t need some pool cue straightening tool! We hope you love the products we recommend! Stay down after the shot. Make sure the room where you’re conducting the test is fully illuminated, or else you may not be able to pick out any abnormality. Exotic woods, LD shafts and beautiful inlays - These cues are a must see! You need to know that according to a standard rule you should keep the other hand approximately 6 to 8 inches right behind the targeted cue ball. Avoid extreme changes in temperature and/or humidity whenever possible. You can get a shaft wrapped in linen, rubber, or leather. Keep your cue in a padded or polyform cue case when not in use. Keep putting pressure until the bend evens out. Keep your cues out of the sun if you want them to stay straight. The most … Remember that pool cues are not thoroughly conical but have a slight degree of tapering. If you’re starting, go for a cue with a medium tip. There are two good ways to clip the rack: You may break with the bottom of the cue ball on the head string opposite the first diamond, then aim not more than one tip's width northeast of center ball. My answer starts your first tip, readers: Captain, I love the discipline … Rotate the cue again and repeat, checking and adjusting until you have straightened the cue. However, wood cues, as they are mostly made of one, may not hold up well with side … Continue to hold the butt end of the cue steadily and firmly, and gaze down towards the shaft’s tip. Importance of Holding a Pool Cue Correctly: The pool cue is the main component and the driving force of the entire game of pool. You want it perfectly straight so that you can see its tip when you aim. Some people try to clean the shafts with the sandpaper. The cue will bend easily into shape. A good rule of thumb is to choose a cue whose length is the same as your arm. Players over 6’4” may have to go for a longer cue such as the Elite extra long pool cue which comes in at 62” long. Cues come with hard, soft or medium tips. Leather or linen wraps suit those who tend to perspire heavily. Luckily for you, you don’t need some pool cue straightening tool! You now know how to determine if the cue is straight or not, so what else do you need to consider? DO’s. Weight and price labels also have an impact on the cue’s rolling consistency. Make sure the pool cue is hanging absolutely straight with a level. You want to visually inspect the tip, ensure it has a dome shape without any mushrooms or splits. Anyway, the majority of players either go-between. Never use steel wool for cleaning the cue, and also avoid sanding. Following are some tips that will enable you to keep your shaft as ramrod as an arrow:-. This position allows you to analyze the angle of the ball and the direction of every other ball that it strikes. The pool cue should end up at the cue ball on center. Always ensure that your shaft is without any warps or bends before you go on to play pool snooker or billiards. It’s best to keep it simple when breaking that way you are not angled and your cue ball is going in different directions. It’s interesting to hear a guy who recycles old warped or bent pool cue sticks by making walking canes out of them. Treat with respect and care -cues are expensive, especially intermediate and higher level pool cues, so make sure you look after them! These are some of the best cues on the market! See the 1st diagram below. If the cue is warped, you’ll see it watching the tip, as the cue will “flop” and roll unevenly across the table. Although it sounds somewhat eccentric. If you want to play pool, snooker or billiards like a pro, then you need to ensure that your pool stick is in perfect shape. Is It Good To Rub Your Chest With The Cue Stick. Pool shafts’ weight varies from 17oz (ounce) to 21oz (ounce). The one disadvantage a wood cue has when compared with its fiberglass counterpart is it can warp over time. Keep your cue leveled; Make sure your stance is solid; Check the rack to make sure all balls are tightly fitted in place; Hit center of cue ball for the most power shot; In nine-ball pool, aim straight for the one ball; Watch your side spins; Try making solid contact with the ball at all times; Conclusion . Even the slightest variation in cloth or table felt can cause your cue to wobble a little when you roll it, even if your cue is straight. That said, a typical two-piece shaft measuring 58 inches can be used conveniently by anybody whose height ranges between 5’8” and 6’5”. 1. 2. Straight pool, which is also called 14.1 continuous and 14.1 rack, is a cue sport in which two competing players attempt to pot as many billiard balls as possible without playing a foul.The game, which is played on a billiard table, is the primary version of pool that was played in professional competition until it was superseded by faster-playing games like nine-ball and … It will remove the protective layer on top and expose the cue to the moisture. . Nevertheless, sighting the cue is the best way of establishing whether the stick has any abnormality or defect. However, rolling the pool stick on the table is not an effective way of ensuring its straightness for some obvious reasons. Shoot the same shot 10 times. Keep your eye on the tip of the cue and watch it as you roll the cue. Duane Bumgarner says: January 7, 2014 at 9:32 am . While doing spaghetti bolognese you can straighten a snooker cue with the steam from the spaghetti (You can also use this (very old) method for non-full shots too, but a full shot is best for finding the right bridge length.) To practice alignment, try to keep your head low and square to the aiming line. There is no right and wrong but there are ways to optimise the way you can hold a cue to ensure you hit the best shot each and every time. https://www.lovecuesports.com/pool-cue-is-straight-how-to-straighten But you don't have to give up on your cue stick if the shaft is crooked. How do you know if your pool stroke is super straight or not? Correct Way to Hold a Cue … Pool Practice Routine Cheat . The cue stick should be set an angle not up straight, you are going to then slowly circulate the tip try not to be messy by holding down the chalk on the tip as well. This is also referred to as your “ vision center “. Try to keep your cue in a stable environment. Leave the cue hanging unimpeded for several days, checking only on humidity and heat levels. More often than not, the inconsistencies or imperfections of the slate and the debris or dust on the table could interfere with the cue’s rolling. Opting for a shaft that perfectly aligns with your arm offers you full leeway over the game. Choosing a thoroughly straight shaft with a length that you’d be perfectly comfortable with should be your primary consideration. With the cue at a 60-degree angle to the floor, place the flat of one hand, palm down, directly on the bend. Set up a long straight in stop shot from corner to corner. Storing the shaft in a padded case secures it and protects it from damage. But how do you determine that your pool stick is as straight as an arrow without any deviations or irregularities? The cue should continue on its course and almost hit the table ahead of the ball's starting position. Many players prefer a wood cue because of the way it feels when hitting the cue ball.