Does a bent cue really make any difference?

[Shockerz]

I've been having this debate with a few players I know and it's certainly not an easy one to answer.

If you bring the tip to the cue ball and you know where your hand it, why should anything in between the two make a difference if you don't use the cue shaft for aiming?

I'm not saying it doesn't make a difference but is all this (my cues not straight) really that much of a problem?

[narl]

Hendry did ok with a bent cue for years.

[jrc750]

If it bothers you get it straightened

[Shockerz]

Hendry did ok with a bent cue for years.

Well that's sort of my point really, Readon had one as well and even made a point of rolling it on the table before each match joking that the table must be out.

They both did ok so are we all just making a fuss over nothing?

[Shockerz]

If it bothers you get it straightened

Yeah I understand we can all get them straightened and if it bothers you then why you would want to change it.

But does it really make any difference apart from aesthetics?

[jonny66]

I think it depends on how bent it is, and what direction the bend is in with relation to how you hold the cue. My cue is bent very slightly to the left, I still put unintentional right on the cue ball now and then.

[thai_son22]

I reckon it depends where and how bent it is. I mean i think technically if you can hit the middle of the ball with your tip then perhaps it shouldn't really matter.

[Shockerz]

I think it depends on how bent it is, and what direction the bend is in with relation to how you hold the cue. My cue is bent very slightly to the left, I still put unintentional right on the cue ball now and then.

I wonder what Reardon and Hendry did to overcome any bend in the cue or weather they just carried on without giving it any allowances.

[jrc750]

Aye if bent up or down you can adjust for it, but if side to side then would be difficult i would say

[Shockerz]

I reckon it depends where and how bent it is. I mean i think technically if you can hit the middle of the ball with your tip then perhaps it shouldn't really matter.

That's the point really, does what's behind the tip make a difference if you hit the cue ball in the centre........

[Shockerz]

Aye if bent up or down you can adjust for it, but if side to side then would be difficult i would say

It would be interesting to try some straight cueing exercises with a cue that is bent left or right to prove or disprove it.

[golferson123]

https://youtu.be/VKZSXBQ9qxs

[cueman]

I wonder what Reardon and Hendry did to overcome any bend in the cue or weather they just carried on without giving it any allowances.

I imagine as they owned the cue from new when it was originally straight, I think as the cue moved, they simply compensated and learned to play with it.

I had a 1pc Parris that I used from new for over 15 years and over time it bent about 7 inches from the tip end but it bent downwards from where I gripped it so I was always playing slightly below centre ball.

There was always one shot I struggled with it though, a stun run through.

When I eventually replaced the cue I had to learn how to cue with a straight cue as you get into bad habits of compensating for a bent cue. So for that reason I'd say a bent cue does make a difference and its not a good idea to play with one over a long period of time because if you have to change it, adapting to a straight cue will be tough.

[Shockerz]

https://youtu.be/VKZSXBQ9qxs

Obviously a point of no return, good video!

[Shockerz]

I imagine as they owned the cue from new when it was originally straight, I think as the cue moved, they simply compensated and learned to play with it.

Not so sure, I think Hendry's was bent from the start (correct me if that's not the case) as warped in a display case with a light on it. Don't know about Reardons.

When I eventually replaced the cue I had to learn how to cue with a straight cue as you get into bad habits of compensating for a bent cue. So for that reason I'd say a bent cue does make a difference and its not a good idea to play with one over a long period of time because if you have to change it, adapting to a straight cue will be tough.

I can see your point there; it's hard enough getting used to a new cue anyway as they are all different.