New cue effect

[RogiBear]

I went down the club this afternoon for a bit of practice, with my new cue and actually played surprising well to start off with and even better once I got in my stride.

Started off potting blacks off the spot with a half decent effort of 15. I then went through my usual routine of clearing the colours, playing for yellow off the black. Misjudged that one the second time round, but still fairly happy. Moved on to line-ups next, breaks of 52, 71, and 128. So close to my first total clearance, under hit blue to pink so landed low on it and caught the middle jaw coming back down the table playing for black. At which point I thought I'd finish there on a high.

I'm just wondering if the new cue was like a placebo effect or whether it just suits me? Anyone else played particularly well immediately with a new cue? The spec is nearly identical to my parris, ever so slightly lighter.

[cueman]

I think with a new cue the excitement of trying it out puts you in the right frame of mind but the cue also has to suit you too. The fact that your new cue is almost identical in dimension to your old cue helps too.

I've experienced both sides of the coin with new cues. Just like you I've had new cues and clicked with them straight away, thought this was the one only to find out a few weeks down the line that something about it isn't quite right and end up going back to my old cue. Having said that I've now played over a year with a phoenix cue and genuinely don't see me changing even when I get my JPU.

Also had new cues that didn't play well right from the off and end up a big disappointment, not going to mention any names or brands but I've had a few big name cues fail to live up to expectation down the years. Tried changing tip and persevering but some cues just don't suit that player.

I think if you need a new cue rather than just want a new cue then you are more likely to stick with it and adapt to how it plays. Cosntantly comparing a cue to one you've used for some time is never a good idea IMO as you are never going to give it a chance.
The reason I was able to adapt to my phoenix is because I knew my old cue was no longer right for my game. It was too short, due to ferrule changes over the years, had a bend of about 5mm and I just felt it was time to change after 15 years of playing with it. Adapting to a new cue was a lot easier knowing I needed a new cue.

[matt926_uk]

The first time i played with my current cue i played awesome and i've played well with it ever since, it has really changed my game. I kind of struggled with my previous cue (which was expensive) for about a year before deciding to change and i'm so glad i did. The best thing is my new cue was a sixth of the price of my old one!
Hopefully you continue to play well with your new cue. I think if the cue was no good for you you would have played bad regardless of placebo effect.
I tried out a cue a friend was selling and was excited because it was made by a top cue maker and he had had a 146 with it, i ended up playing rubbish with it because it didn't suit me.

[fred.england]

It was very similar for me also. I went from a 18oz and jumped up to a 20 1/4oz cue. The first time I played with it was like that "eureka" moment. It felt like I had been using it all my life, and still does. I may be one of the lucky ones.

[damienlch]

After playing with numerous cues, from rack cues to the top of the range cues, I'd like to think that I can more or less adapt to most as long as it's within normal specifications and has a nice firm tip on.

My eureka moment was when I tried out a mate's cue years ago. Felt really comfortable with it right from the start but he was never going to let it go.

I'd agree that there's a certain "placebo effect" when playing with a new cue; you tend to be more keen and concentrate harder. I also believe that you should give new cues a chance, play with it and learn how the cue feels. You might grow to like it. If it feels totally wrong from the start, then its going to be a long struggle and the cue will probably never be the one.