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RAVEN Custom Cues
Marion, IA 52302
Do I need a break cue? How about a jump cue? One of the most frequent questions I get asked by clients or just pool players I meet is “Do I need a break cue?” That question is frequently followed by “How about jump cue? Do I need one of those?" The order of the questions may be reversed, but they come up all the time. The answer isn’t the same for all players. If you are reading this on the RAVEN Custom Cues website chances are very good you already own a lot of things you don’t actually ‘need’ in the strict since of the word. Just the fact you play pool at all puts you in the category of people who indulge their ‘wants’. So whether you actually need a jump cue or a break cue may not be the deciding factor. You may just want one, and that is fine, but what I am going to do here is actually try to help you determine if you need to own a break cue, a jump cue or a jump/break cue. Break Cues At the highest levels of play, for 8 ball and 9 ball, one can make the argument that the most important shot of the game is the break. At the pro level, and top amature level, it is not uncommon for a player to break and run rack after rack. Even if you don’t play at the highest levels the break is still a very important shot. In 9 ball the game can be won on the break. Spreading the balls well, in both 8 ball and 9 ball, is often the key to runouts. A scratch on the break can be a devastating mistake against even an average player. Probably the most overlooked aspect to the break is momentum and control of the game. Making balls on the break and getting a good cue ball position puts you in the drivers seat. You can run out, make several shots and play a safety or do whatever you choose. Whenever you are in control, momentum is on your side. Failing to make a ball on the break, or worse making a ball and scratching, gives control to your opponent and shifts momentum in his / her favor. In most of the local tournaments I play in and in some of the leagues play I play in there is only one way to look at the competition. Unless something unusual happens I only expect one turn at the table in each game. Sometimes I get more than one shot. Sometimes I won’t get any. If I break and don’t make anything I figure the game is over. There have been many nights where my breaks have definitely given me the edge whether it has been league, tournament or a little one on one. If you play seriously and want to win when you do play you should strongly consider a break cue. When I play golf I use my driver, 3 wood or at least a long iron off every tee except most par 3 holes. I want every advantage I can get. When I break I use my break cue for exactly the same reason. Jump Cues As more players develop a complete game safety play gets better and better. With the ball in hand rule that is generally used, a safety where the opponent is unable to hit the object ball is often a game winning advantage. The 3 consecutive fouls is loss of game rule, in 9 ball, also makes it extremely important to cleanly contact object balls under difficult circumstances. For some players the jump cue is more than a defensive weapon. With practice it can become an offensive tool. Instead of just trying to get a clean hit on the object ball, many players are making shots and playing position for the next when they pull out their jump cues. The jump cue situation is very much like that with a break cue. If you feel that giving your opponent ball in hand, on occasion, isn’t a big deal and probably won’t cost you games or tournaments there probably isn’t any reason to own or learn to use a jump cue. As long as the rules allow both jump cues and break cues I will use them. When I play golf I carry specialty clubs like a one iron or a driving iron. Sometimes I play several rounds without using those clubs, but even when I don’t use them often I still carry them. I figure even if they only occasionally save me one stroke they are worth taking along. Back to Play Better PoolTo RAVEN Cues Home Page | ||