Playing pool with a snooker spec cue

[Matt-10ant]

Just wanting a few members opinions.

Do you think it's possible to play 8 ball to a decent standard using a snooker spec cue as a lot of the players in the league are using snooker spec cues for example 9.7mm tips.

[Master Blaster]

Just wanting a few members opinions.

Do you think it's possible to play 8 ball to a decent standard using a snooker spec cue as a lot of the players in the league are using snooker spec cues for example 9.7mm tips.

Don't Appleton and Selby use snooker cues for pool? I prefer a smaller tipped (8.9mm) snooker cue for pool, not so much for power, but for the awkward rail shots where you have a metal edge sticking up and have to cue over it, or rubbish cushions. And if the cue ball is on the rail you don't see much of it so it's easier to hit the ball well with a smaller tip then.

[stejohn]

Personally I find 9mm the best middle ground tip, 9.7mm too big for pool imo.

[old school]

If I remember correctly Gaz Potts won his last world title , under Black Ball rules , at Lakeside with a cue at 9.5 mm tip size , Apparently he had been playing Chinese 9 ball , went to practice with his English pool cue at 8.5 mm and couldnt adapt , so picked up his snooker cue ( 9.5 ) and won his 5 th World title . I think Harris Ali uses a cue at 10 mm ( ish ) and he can play a bit . Personally I see nothing wrong with playing English Pool with a larger tip , I have cues with tips from 7.75 mm to 10 mm , which I use regularly and play English pool quite happily , in fact my current cue is a two piece , centre joint , Riley Professional at around 9.30 mm and I can play any shot I need to with it.

[Matt-10ant]

Thanks I've just been wondering if it was just the players in my local league that use the larger tips I'm tempted to go smaller but don't want to adjust my TW to a small size and then not like it

[Dave Walton]

Just wanting a few members opinions.

Do you think it's possible to play 8 ball to a decent standard using a snooker spec cue as a lot of the players in the league are using snooker spec cues for example 9.7mm tips.

Don't Appleton and Selby use snooker cues for pool? I prefer a smaller tipped (8.9mm) snooker cue for pool, not so much for power, but for the awkward rail shots where you have a metal edge sticking up and have to cue over it, or rubbish cushions. And if the cue ball is on the rail you don't see much of it so it's easier to hit the ball well with a smaller tip then.

Appleton used a 9mm tipped O'Min cue for a while, think he originally had it as a break cue though. Selby had a 3/4 jointed pool cue with about an 8.5mm tip for pool

[old school]

If it aint broke etc, etc . Why not try to pick up a second hand cue , with a smaller tip and try that first , much cheaper and less heartbreak than messing a TW up . I agree with MB , ref rail shots and having less centre ball with larger tips , but you can adapt . What you cant do is reduce a TW that works , find out you dont like it and then go back up a ferrule size without losing length on the cue .

[Dave Walton]

If I remember correctly Gaz Potts won his last world title , under Black Ball rules , at Lakeside with a cue at 9.5 mm tip size , Apparently he had been playing Chinese 9 ball , went to practice with his English pool cue at 8.5 mm and couldnt adapt , so picked up his snooker cue ( 9.5 ) and won his 5 th World title . I think Harris Ali uses a cue at 10 mm ( ish ) and he can play a bit . Personally I see nothing wrong with playing English Pool with a larger tip , I have cues with tips from 7.75 mm to 10 mm , which I use regularly and play English pool quite happily , in fact my current cue is a two piece , centre joint , Riley Professional at around 9.30 mm and I can play any shot I need to with it.

Yes Gaz did win the IPA world title with his snooker cue, his Chinese 8 ball cue is 11.75mm and he found going back to his pool cue the tip felt too small, basically he just didn't have enough time to practise enough with his pool cue, and his snooker cue was the best compromise.
Former world champion Phil Harrison plays with a 10mm tip as does Steve Daking

[Matt-10ant]

Thanks all for the interest I think I have found a potential trade for my TW just waiting till he receives the cue many thanks again

[Dave Walton]

Especially at local league level players play with snooker spec cues and alot of them at a high standard, you have to have a good cue action and accuracy to play with a small tip, it makes the game easier playing over balls, off the rail etc but also allows you to hit the ball softer and still generate the desired reaction giving you more control, however you have to keep a balance between potting accuracy and increased spin, going too small you're just asking for trouble with unwanted side, 8-9mm is ideal

[Matt-10ant]

Thanks Dave I was thinking using around 8.75-9mm anyway and yes understand about the downsides of a smaller tip

[Master Blaster]

Thanks Dave I was thinking using around 8.75-9mm anyway and yes understand about the downsides of a smaller tip

There is no more a problem with a 9mm pool tip compared to 9.5-10mm snooker tip regarding unwanted side and centre ball striking because the cue ball is proportionately smaller. Now if you were going to use it for snooker it may become an issue. But once you get down to 8mm and smaller I think there is more risk of an unwanted side issue at pool.