9-Ball
Topic: General cue advice

Hi just signed up to ask about pool cues (didn't find many pool forums around that were about the real thing not pool video games!).

I play casually with my brother and friends. I finally decided to invest in a better cue, probably should have researched more but bought a Buffalo Dominator from Billards Boutique.

I'm fairly happy with it overall, but it's so much lighter than cues I've used before! I should've checked but didn't expect weight to be an issue, as a result I find it hard to hit with as much power as I'd like and therefore can't generate enough backspin.

Are better quality cues generally much lighter? I like it in all other areas and I definitely notice the quality tip, so still play better overall but I'm now lacking in a different area which is frustrating.

Any other general cue advice much appreciated!

Dan

The back spin issue may be more down to technique than the cue. I mean that with the upmost respect for your ability. If you want to take the game more seriously then a few hours with a decent coach will be of far more value than spending a large sum on a new cue. However, a good aftersale shaft (such as a predator, ob, jacoby etc....) can be purchased to upgrade your current set up. Just make sure you order the correct joint to match your cue. There's more than you would think.

Buffalo Dominators can vary from 19oz to 21 oz which is a pretty typical weight range for American Pool Cues and I don't consider cues to be particularly light until you go as low as 18 and 18.5 oz... It's possible you've got one at the lower end of the range.

Does it have a removable weight bolt?

Better shaft wont help you with backspin. Draw shot is the hardest shot in all the cue sports so dont panic. Focuss on technique and practice. This is only one working solution. ;)

I actually used a Buffalo Dominator cue for several years before I bought my current playing cue and re-purposed the Buffalo into a break stick.

The cue itself will actually be 19oz, it just feels much lighter because it has some weird weight distribution going on. Not all of the weight is in the bottom. If I recall correctly, there is a weight bolt down there (although can't check since I have replaced the bumper to add an extension and can't get it off), but not even close to being most of the weight - or even enough to make very much difference. There is a fair bit of weight in the forearm.

For the record, I didn't have any trouble getting spin with it - although struggled to start with because the weight distribution was different to what I was used to.

How far from butt end is cue ballance point?

Just in case anybody finds this in the future - I've finally got my cues at home for a decent clean and a day off. The Dominator's balance point is about 19" from the bottom of the butt (compared to my Meucci which is 16), despite being the same weight overall (both slightly under 19oz).