1-piece Vs Jointed? 13-4!

[snookerking1978]

Has anyone ever wondered whether there is a link between what type of cue past world champions have used in terms of being 1-piece or a jointed cue?

Take the last 17 world championships from 1990:

Hendry 1990, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 99 - 7 times - 1-piece cue
Doherty 1997 - jointed cue
Higgins 1998 + 2007 - twice -1 piece cue
Williams 2000 + 2003 - twice - jointed cue
Ebdon 2002 - 1-piece cue
O'Sullivan 2001 - 1-piece cue - 2004 - jointed cue
Murphy 2005 - 1-piece cue
Dott 2006 - 1-piece cue

By my calculations for the last 17 years the world champion has won 13 times using a 1-piece cue and 4 times with a jointed cue. (I think O'Sullivan won 1 of his world champs using the same cue but with a joint fitted?)

Is it just coincidence that more world champions seem to use 1-piece cues? Or do good players just favour a 1-piece cue more? Or should we just blame Hendry for just winning too much with his £40 riley cue!

Would be interesting to see what you guys think about this topic?

[trevs1]

I think it's purely coincidence and nothing more, as there's no real advantage (in playing terms) to argue for one over the other.

Hendry's 'old' one piece cue was a Powerglide.

[mattyshinobi22]

think ya forgeting the old nugget there mate- 6 world titles- 1 piece cue

[cueman]

I don't think it is coincidence personally, as I believe that a 1 pc cue gives a much better feel for the shot, particularly to top class players who have that extra touch and control. I have played with or tried out several jointed cues and have never got on with any of them, however I have had four other 1pc cues in my time and played well with each of them!

[ADR147]

think ya forgeting the old nugget there mate- 6 world titles- 1 piece cue

4 times when it was a one piece and twice when it was jointed!

[mattyshinobi22]

cheers, i didnt know that

[nardiello]

yes as cueman said,i also feel that 1pc cue gives a much better feel for the shot.ive just used my friend 1 pc cue and it feels great!i think im going to sell my 3 pieces cue soon!lol..

[888]

for my ex.. i feel that the balance of 3/4 jointed cue r stiffer and heavier than 1pc, 1pc r more whippy and warp faster than jointed cue due to no joint and the length is long, 1 pcs must very well take care.

[ADR147]

the only difference could be in the quality of the cue i don't think its possible to detect a difference between a good 3/4 cue and a one piece.

[cueman]

the only difference could be in the quality of the cue i don't think its possible to detect a difference between a good 3/4 cue and a one piece

I think its quite easy to tell the difference between a 1pc and a 3/4 jointed cue. The fact that the 3/4 jointed cue will in most cases have a solid ebony butt section makes it feel totally different IMO. As I said earlier I have had or played with a number of 3/4 jointed cues down the years, from some very good cue makers and I just haven't liked the feel of them.

I started out with a 1pc cue though and I suppose learned to play the game with that so I probably would be able to tell the difference between a 1pc and a jointed cue more than most players in that respect.

[snookerking1978]

I agree Cueman. I find it easier to tell if a cue is 1-piece and this comes
after testing various cues over the years.

The feel and sweet spot of a 1-piece cue is a lot different from a jointed
cue. Not to mention the balance being completely different.

I think that it's too much of a coincidence that a lot of past world champions
have used 1-piece cues more then jointed cues.

If the world champion next year wins using a jointed cue then maybe then I'll
eat my words but my guess is that the champ will be using a 1-piece.

[Qubit]

Im a long way removed from being an expert, but my limited experience suggests that it may well be possible to get a jointed cue to be all but indistinguishable from a 1 piece. Ive owned a 57.5" 3/4 jointed cue that has a balance point of ~17.5". I also had a 1 piece with virtually identical charateristics by this measurement (balance point). However this particular 3/4 cue felt slightly odd to play with. Although the balance point is very similar the weight distribution is not as even as the 1 piece. As you cue you were v slightly aware of weight of the joint.

Obviously the better the cue maker the better the result will be. Trevs1 has stated that it is possible to make a 3/4 joint play as good as a 1 piece. I think he ought to know better than most, but im quite sure that its not necessarily that easy to do.

[jackthebackspin]

1pc r more whippy and warp faster than jointed cue due to no joint and the length is long, 1 pcs must very well take care.

So in theory center jointed cue doesnt warp easily??

Im maybe going to center jointed cue because its also fits to my pool cue case.

[mick 142]

think ya forgeting the old nugget there mate- 6 world titles- 1 piece cue

i think he won two with it split .

[acidash]

I think it's purely coincidence and nothing more, as there's no real advantage (in playing terms) to argue for one over the other.

the only difference could be in the quality of the cue i don't think its possible to detect a difference between a good 3/4 cue and a one piece.

I agree with Trevor & ADR. And I've heard many best players said so (Steve Davis, Hendry to name a few).

If you still doubt about it maybe you can try a little test if you have a 3/4 cue. Play different shots with your 3/4. Then unscrewed the butt and play the same shots with the shaft only. Frankly I couldn't tell any difference (except weight & balance of course). I think it's more truthful to compare with the same shaft than with different cues.