1a2bcio8 Posted December 28, 2009 Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 Hello,I've been wanting to play snooker for years but due to being short sighted and without contact lenses, it was too much of a struggle. I've finally started wearing contact lenses so it's time to start playing snooker. So now I need a cue and I'm a bit unsure of what to get. I guess I'd like to invest a bit more money to begin with although I accept this might not be sensible. I'm very sure this will be something I commit to though, especially as I have a great love for watching snooker - it's my favourite spectating sport. Currently I've found this snooker cue set. What I'm most unsure about is the weight. Is this purely a personal thing or is there a standard type of benefit between a heavier or lighter cue?Anyway, I'm hoping somebody out there is experienced and can give me advice regarding what I've said and perhaps also anything I might not have considered. I wonder if there are any snooker players out there though?Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomturd Posted December 28, 2009 Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 Have you played on a full size table before? I'd say im pretty good at pool, but snooker is fecking difficult. I doubt very much that you'll be able to tell the difference between a £20 que and a £150 que... and you don't want to be Mr 'all the gear, no idea' My highest break: 9 (and proud). total playing time, about 20 hours I'd guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1a2bcio8 Posted December 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 Have you played on a full size table before? I'd say im pretty good at pool, but snooker is fecking difficult. I doubt very much that you'll be able to tell the difference between a £20 que and a £150 que... and you don't want to be Mr 'all the gear, no idea' My highest break: 9 (and proud). total playing time, about 20 hours I'd guess.Hehe, yeah I have played on a full sized table, it's just I've never commited to it, like say I have to trials, because I struggled with long potting due to being short sighted. I did manage to get quite competent in the past but again the bluriness of the table just made it frustrating. I want a sport that I can play for the most of the rest of my life. I don't want to buy a cheaper cue only to have to but another one again soon because it's no good. £150 (including case and accesories) isn't actually that expensive a cue when they go upto near £1000 in some instances. I guess also I've struggled with crapper cues as opposed to when I've been lucky enough to play with a better cue which definitely helps. I'm not entirely sure though and you may be right. I suspect some cues at snooker halls probably aren't even worth £20 so maybe one of those at that price range would be alright.Anyway, thanks for answering with reference to your 20 hrs experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted December 28, 2009 Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 I used to play a fair bit, my best break was around 30.I gave it up when all my snooker buddies moved on, marriage etc...Cue wise I had a Riley one that was around £30 - nice and weighty, seemed pretty good. No point spending too much until you get better anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1a2bcio8 Posted December 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 Ok, I think I shall follow your chaps advice and just find a cheaper cue at the local snooker hall. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bollo you ball-bag Posted December 28, 2009 Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 my dad got pretty into snooker last year, he doesnt play now but spent about 150 on a cue which he now doesnt use, has case and everything. I know a while ago he was thinking of selling it. wouldu like me to ask him for more details and if he's still up for selling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1a2bcio8 Posted December 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 my dad got pretty into snooker last year, he doesnt play now but spent about 150 on a cue which he now doesnt use, has case and everything. I know a while ago he was thinking of selling it. wouldu like me to ask him for more details and if he's still up for selling?Yes please, I'd really appreciate that actually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spider Lad Posted December 28, 2009 Report Share Posted December 28, 2009 (edited) Look at as many cues as you can, and then buy the cheapest one that you like !When you become familiar with it you'll find that it's either too long or too short; too thin or too thick; too light or too heavy; or too stiff or too whippy.You will then have enough knowledge to choose a cue that suits you perfectly.Regarding price, a more expensive cue may be better made, but if you don't like the feel of the cue - for whatever reason - then you'll have wasted your money! Edited December 28, 2009 by Spider Lad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minitrialer Posted December 29, 2009 Report Share Posted December 29, 2009 Aside from weight etc I suppose the main benefit is getting used to a cue. I'm going to invest in the next few weeks, I like heavy cues because they feel more 'steady' to me. I also LOVE watching snooker, I watched the Ronnie Selby Quarter final in Telford a couple of weeks ago, you might have even seen me in my jester trousers if you were watching?! Also tickets for worlds are available from January so get booking! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1a2bcio8 Posted December 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2009 Cheers for the additional advice, chaps. I shall it all under consideration. I'm down to the snooker hall tomorrow, so I'll have a try with some of the cues they have on offer. I am somewhat apprehensive because I'm assuming the snooker hall is not where I will get value for money but at least I'll get to try a cue first.I watched the Selby - O'sullivan game but didn't see you in a Jester costume. I'm guessing you were supporting Selby then? I've always wondered what it would be like to watch a match live but thought perhaps your point of viewing wouldn't be all that great. The camera angles on television are awesome at showing what's happening and I don't think I would want to lose that regardless of the atmosphere you might experience from actually being there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrEvil270183 Posted December 29, 2009 Report Share Posted December 29, 2009 I used to work in a mens working club years and years ago. Used to play snooker for free all the time and got pretty good, breaks of around 30 on a regular based but could never get any better Any Darts players out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spider Lad Posted December 29, 2009 Report Share Posted December 29, 2009 (edited) Yeah, I like to chuck the old arra's now and again. Half my mates hate it though. You know you're a real local when they keep your darts behind the bar for you. Edited December 29, 2009 by Spider Lad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minitrialer Posted December 29, 2009 Report Share Posted December 29, 2009 (edited) Just been and played tonight, couple of five ball breaks, not great score though lol. Well...my friend was supporting him, but to be honest I really like Ronnie as well, found myself watching the screens a lot, but it's great if you sit a bit higher, good atmosphere as well. Yeah the camera was on us at the start of the match, I've got a screenshot somewhere....haha we all look dopey as hell, was a good day though! Let us know what cue you get and how you get on, could even turn this into a snooker thread ...... Edited December 29, 2009 by minitrialer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simpson Posted December 30, 2009 Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 Yea I used to play a lot untill the local scrapped the marathon deal, used to be able to get a table from 12-7 for something silly like £7, so me and a couple of mates used to go down, i spent about £40 on a cue and that treated me well, the main thing you need to do is get a nice shape on the tip for cue ball control, stopped going when they stopped the marathon deal which was a shame, by the end of it we were all fairly competent player though. I never felt like a £40 cue limited me, only my own ability, went down the local pool / snooker store and just tryed out loads of cues, at the end of the day its a bit of wood you hit balls with, so if your happy with the length, weight, flex then its the perfect cue for you no matter how much you spend. Used to play American pool with it as well (becuase you could transfer tables as much as you wanted during the session for free so we used to do it when we needed a break from the serious shit) and the cue never split or struggled with the bigger balls either, so i don't think you need to go and spend a tonne on a cue to get something that you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minitrialer Posted December 30, 2009 Report Share Posted December 30, 2009 (edited) A few cool clips if anyone is bored or wants to get inspired!Fastest 147 ever as far as I'm aware, from Rocket Ronnie Sweet shot to get out of a snooker from Maguire Cool spin shots from Jimmy White. Go on Jimmmmmy Awesome way out of a snooker !! Jimmy again Haha in the old days, having a pint and a fag whilst playing EDIT: Woop got a break of 27 today Edited December 30, 2009 by minitrialer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Harding Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I used to play alot, havent for a while. My highest break is 68, but i cant get near that now. Seriously dont spend a great deal on a cue, the one i have now i picked up from Argos for about £40 its a Ronnie O`Sullivan replica apparently. Hasnt had much use recently. Dont find the time for it anymore. Once you`ve been playing for a while, try playing american pool after, Its crazy how much you improve at it. Spending a large amount on your first cue isnt a good idea you`ll end up wanting a different length/wieght after awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I know nothing about snooker, so naturally I want to ask - how do you score a break? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 A break is the number of points in that "run", so the number of points of all the balls you pot in one go before you miss Used to play a little from time to time, got to average breaks of around 40-odd at one point but that was ages ago, I'd suck now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Cool, that makes sense, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Yeah you pot a red to get 1 point, then all the other colours have different points. Pot a red, then a colour, then a red, then a colour.... Then, once all the reds are potted you move through the rest of the colours in a sequence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Has anyone seen my shoe? Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 In for the "dont spend much on a first cue" crew. Mine is a riley something or other, cost me £30 or so. Bought it when I went to college and usually ended up bunking lessons and playing snooker instead. My highest break is 79 and I missed an easy black aswell. Havent player snooker in ages either, wouldnt mind getting back into it actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minitrialer Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Anyone watching the Masters? I went to Wembley and watched Jimmy White, amazing atmosphere, shame he lost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Is all this shizzle the same for pool cues ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1a2bcio8 Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Anyone watching the Masters? I went to Wembley and watched Jimmy White, amazing atmosphere, shame he lost I can imagine it would be with Jimmy, as with Ronnie. I've been following it all on the bbc. The Hendry - Murphy game was good but the O' Sullivan - Robertson game was awesome. Although, I would say that because I support Ronnie (shock). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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