What is the difference between a pool cue and a break cue?

Break Cue vs. Playing Cue – What's the Difference? A break cue typically plays heavier, much firmer in the shaft, and has a much harder phenolic tip which helps transfer more energy and less spin. This cue can be made of wood or carbon fiber, just like a regular playing cue.

What is the point of a break cue?

One of the main reasons players opt for a breaking cue is to avoid wear and tear on their playing cues. Breaking requires more force and has a greater impact on the pool cue's tip, especially if it is a leather tip. With repeated breaks, the leather tip of a nice cue will mushroom over time.

Are break cues legal?

Two common examples of bad sportsmanship are: conceding an unfinished game; and breaking down a cue during play. Both forms of conduct are frowned upon by professionals, and have no place in amateur play. All players are asked to allow opponents to finish the game before racking the balls or breaking down cues.

What break cue do the pros use?

Cuetec Bullet Break Cue. The Cuetec Bullet Break might be cheaper than most in this list but still packs enviable power. Some of the top pool pros, such as Shane Van Boening, use this cue stick.

What is the best weight for a breaking cue?

What Weight Should My Break Cue Be? The ideal cue stick weight varies and depends on one's personal preference. However, heavier sticks providing similar accuracy and speed tend to break with greater power than lighter cues. For the break cue, you want a stick that falls under the standard weight (18-21 oz).

Break Cue Comparison

Is a heavier or lighter break cue better?

The idea is that the lighter the cue, the faster you can swing it. And the faster you can swing it, the harder you can break. Because this theory revolves around acceleration and speed, lighter break cues are good for players who are able to be accurate with a fast, athletic break stroke.

Is it better to have a lighter or heavier pool cue?

In general, a lighter cue will allow more control over finesse shots, and a heavier cue will allow more cue ball (CB) speed with less apparent stroke effort. A heavier cue might also be easier for some people to keep on line during the stroke, but this is a very individual thing.

What cue did Tom Cruise use?

The famous scene in the 1986 sequel to The Hustler, The Color of Money where Tom Cruise is given a beautiful cue by Paul Newman and told, “It's a Balabushka,” made the name Balabushka synonymous with top quality pool cues.

How often should you chalk your cue?

How Often Should You Chalk Your Cue? Some players find success re-chalking after every other shot, but others prefer to re-chalk before each shot they take. You can chalk your cue more sparingly if you want, but if you need to take a shot with some spin, it's a good idea to apply some chalk.

What weight do professional pool players use?

While professional billiards players tend to use pool sticks that weigh about 19 ounces, it is a better idea for beginners to use pool sticks that are a bit lighter (around 15 ounces) while they are still learning how to pocket those tough shots with ease.

Do you lose if you sink the cue ball on break?

If any balls are sunk on the break, the breaking player continues to shoot. The table remains open after the break regardless of what is sunk on the break. Sinking the cue ball on break is a scratch and passes the turn to the opponent, giving them ball in hand.

Do you lose if you pocket cue ball on break?

On the break, the first shot of the game, the cue ball must be played from behind the head string (i.e., in the “kitchen”). If an object ball is pocketed on the break, you get to continue with your turn, unless you scratch (i.e., you pocket the cue ball) on the break.

Why do pool players have 2 cues?

It is a type of cue stick that is widely used today. The two-piece cue has a mid-point or a joint that you can find in the middle of the stick. Many players prefer this stick because of their convenience. Because of the adjustable size, you can take it anywhere with you and store it away easily as well.

Can you shoot pool with a break cue?

A break cue is an alternative pool cue to a playing cue, and offers a high-performance option for one of the most fun shots in pool – the break. Break cue construction makes it a perfect tool for pounding the cue ball extremely hard, extremely often.

What are the three types of cue?

There are several types of billiard/Pool cues and each has a specific use case. The different types of billiard cues include snooker cues, English cues, American cues, break cues, jump cues, and masse cues.

Why do people rub chalk on pool stick?

Chalk lets you add friction to the cue tip, which allows you to make a shot, rather than have the cue slipping off the ball prematurely. Your pool cue tip will come in great condition to play, but over time, it will get worn down, which is why having solid chalk is key to staying on top of your game.

What is the chalk rule in pool?

Even dropping the chalk on the cue ball is a foul. Any balls moved accidentally during a shot will be replaced by the opponent after the shot is over and all the balls have stopped rolling. If it occurs before the shot, it will be replaced before the shot is taken.

Why is blue chalk used in pool?

They might just be doing it so it looks like they know what they're doing, but there is actually a very important reason for it! Chalk is used to introduced friction between the pool cue and the cue ball. Cue tips are hard rounded surfaces and cue balls are also hard rounded surfaces.

What is the world's best pool cue?

REVO® carbon fiber shafts are the best in billiards technology and performance. Not only the most accurate shaft ever made, REVO® provides effortless action and power with more consistency than wood shafts.

What is the most expensive pool stick?

The McDermott Intimidator Masterpiece Cue - $150,000. Owning the most expensive playable pool cue in the world will set you back about $150,000. The Intimidator, like all great art, lives up to its name. When you pull out your one-of-a-kind pool cue, your opponent is sure to feel threatened.

What is the name of the pool cue in color of money?

The Color of Money Cue by Joss Cues is a replica of the pool cue used in the classic Martin Scorsese movie, "The Color of Money." Referred to in the movie as a Balabushka, this cue was, in fact, a Joss Cue.

What is the difference between cheap and expensive pool cues?

There is a big difference in the manufacture process. Making a Hand-spliced cue is a longer process and often involves extra splicing and includes more exotic woods. The cheapest cues that many suppliers sell are not spliced at all and are in fact painted to look like they are spliced.

What pool cue do most pros use?

PROFESSIONAL billiard players TRUST their game to Predator more than any other brand, including many WORLD CHAMPIONS ★ and top ranked players.