searching for "The" cue

[shortside K]

Are professional snooker players like the majority of us and continually searching for "the" cue?
That is, are they always testing/trying different cues in an attempt to find the perfect cue for them?
I realize that there have been several of the best players that have used the same cue for many, many years, but I believe that most of them continue searching throughout their lives.
Any input would be appreciated.

[Freddie Ng]

I believe some of them do. Maybe some already found but still curious on trying out other cues made by different makers.

[Straight strike]

I personally do not like this idea very much.. A friend of mine has been searching for his cue for years, it was such a costly, endless and painful experience for him. He is so frustrated lately and almost gives up the game altogether. It is not a game that anyone can afford to play.

[Straight strike]

Worst of all, you never know how good "The" cue could be. So once you are trapped into it, you cannot get out until you are fed up.

[bongo]

From my experience - I would say that perfect cue doesn't exist. As stated above, if you get trapped into that endless search you will just get yourself into a frustrated mess. You will be thinking too much about the cue you are using, and when you think you have found the perfect cue, when you realise that it makes your game no better than the last cue or often worse, it can be hard to take for some people. Changing cues is not good, because each time you get a new one you need to adjust to how the side throws and the feel and power of it. A new tip can be bad enough for some players, let alone a cue, in terms of getting used to it. My advice, although it is probably easier said than done, is to get a really nice cue. Trevor White, Parris, whatever - and don't buy it in a rush, think about the specifications you want so you know at least it will be right for you - then stick to it. Force yourself to stick to it, remember that having a Trevor White cue or Parris means that you probably have a better cue than most other players in your club! Be grateful for what you've got!

The perfect cue is the one you can play your best with. What more can you ask for?

[Straight strike]

To put it simple,I think the frustration and suffering from the endless search outweigh its benefit.

[poolqjunkie]

I think it is important to find a cue you are very comfortable with, and then guard it with your life.

I see most pros are using the same cue they have been using, some of them wont even think of changing their tips during the season!

[Acrowot]

I think that bongo is talking a lot of sense. In days gone by, we never hardly changed our cues. Only ever had two and never used any others, then had one stolen from one club and sold the other a couple of years after stopping playing.

Now after 36 years of not playing, had TW make me two cues. Only really got interested again after finding this forum.

You people have got a lot to answer for .... lol.
:snooker:

[shortside K]

the one you can play your best with

From my experience - I would say that perfect cue doesn't exist. As stated above, if you get trapped into that endless search you will just get yourself into a frustrated mess. You will be thinking too much about the cue you are using, and when you think you have found the perfect cue, when you realise that it makes your game no better than the last cue or often worse, it can be hard to take for some people. Changing cues is not good, because each time you get a new one you need to adjust to how the side throws and the feel and power of it. A new tip can be bad enough for some players, let alone a cue, in terms of getting used to it. My advice, although it is probably easier said than done, is to get a really nice cue. Trevor White, Parris, whatever - and don't buy it in a rush, think about the specifications you want so you know at least it will be right for you - then stick to it. Force yourself to stick to it, remember that having a Trevor White cue or Parris means that you probably have a better cue than most other players in your club! Be grateful for what you've got!

The perfect cue is the one you can play your best with. What more can you ask for?

I find it hard to believe that a person can/should get a cue and then force yourself to stick with it.

My limited experience with cue trials has shown me that every cue is very different.
Some seem to play much better than others. Some feel much better than others. I will agree that a person could find a cue that "feels" right and that they play well with and be happy with that.

However, does that mean that there isn't a cue out there that "feels even better" and that you play even better with?
If you don't try you won't know.

I now fully believe that a person should never just buy a cue without first playing with it a bit. I did this a couple of times and was pretty disappointed with the result. That's why you see all those "hardly used" high end custom cues for sale here and on eBay.

[cazmac1]

Maybe, someone could start a cue exchange web site where players with high end cue that they can't get on with can exchange with other players with the same problem?

[Freddie Ng]

Maybe, someone could start a cue exchange web site where players with high end cue that they can't get on with can exchange with other players with the same problem?

That's a great idea.. maybe a swapping cue thread