Do you think it matters what ounce stick you break with?

Question

Do you think it matters what ounce stick you break with?

Answer 1

Here is a Little article from Bob Meucci of Meucci Cues about the weight of a break cue.

Over the years there has been much conjecture over the importance of cue power for breaking balls or applying english, etc.. Some players have thought that a heavy cue would make them break better. Thank goodness, most players have finally been educated to the reality that a lighter cue is more powerful. A fact that has been repeatedly proven by the Meucci Staff and other players in breaking contests over the years - ever since I first introduced the use of a radar gun at tournaments in the early 90's.

The simple fact is that a human, male or female, has limited strength and can only move a certain amount of weight so fast; the heavier the weight, the slower the swing. Conversely, the lighter the weight, the faster the swing.

It is the speed of the cue, not its mass (weight), that causes the acceleration of the cue ball because of the cue's compression at the moment of impact as it first tries to overcome the inertia to remain at rest.

The optimum cue weight to accomplish maximum speed and compression before the cue snaps back and sends the cue ball forward is about 18 to 18 3/4 oz. for most men and about 17 to 17 3/4 oz. for most women.

What do I mean when I say compression? I mean that at the moment of impact, with sufficient speed, before the cue ball moves, the first thing that happens is the shaft bends away from it's spine creating an "S" shaped wave that travels through the cue as the cue is fore-shortened by it's compression, thus loading energy into the cue.

As the inertia to remain at rest is overcome, the cue ball is projected forward by the power of the player's arm and swing speed plus an additional kick from the pre-loaded cue, thus equaling cue power.

The more we can compress the shaft from the moment in which the cue ball is impacted until it leaves the tip, the more power you will develop.

You've seen the same kind of dynamics in the sport of pole vaulting, tennis and others. It is also applied in golf. Before the extra-whippy fiberglass pole was introduced in pole vaulting, when athletes just used a stiff wooden pole, the world record was just slightly over 15 feet high. Within one year of the introduction of the fiberglass pole, the world record was increased a whopping 20% to 18+ feet. The rest is history.

So then, the question is... how much compression/flexibility should a cue have? If you were to take a solid steel bar with no compression and put a tip on it, you would have a hard time striking the ball with enough force to bank 3 rails. I know this without question, I tested it myself.

On the other hand, when does a cue get so flexible that it over-compresses and does not return to shape until the cue ball is long gone, therefore losing power? With the use of the Myth Destroyer, our new testing robot, we have found that optimum point of compression and we now build it into every Meucci "RED DOT" shaft with 10% additional stiffness to allow for dimensional reduction through years of play. End Result: The most powerful cue in the world with the absolute least amount of effective cue ball deflection!

However, this important feat can not be accomplished by only considering the technology of shaft taper and flexibility. You must also consider joint material, joint style (flat face or piloted), joint size, forearm taper, shallow inlays (as opposed to true spliced points) and solid or 2-piece butts. All these factors must be optimized to obtain maximum cue power.

Now then, how do you use this power?

First, when breaking the balls, increased power equals increased forward motion velocity.

Secondly, when striking the cue ball off-center, there is a combination of forward motion and english velocity (speed of side spin). Therefore, you will be able to reach the cue ball position desired when playing 9 ball, 8 ball, or other demanding pool games without having to over-stroke the ball and thus lose accuracy.

Some have said that too much power or spin equals less control. This of course would be true for an amateur or weaker player to some degree, but, if they use a low-power cue, they surely will not have the power when they need it for that 3-rail draw or follow shot.

The mistake they make is not understanding the technology of "percentage-of-tip" position-play.

All truly great players break up a draw or follow shot into as many as 12 different tip positions in each area; above, below and left or right of center. They generally strike the cue ball about the same speed whenever possible and let tip position complete the job. If you master this same technique, it will enhance your game tremendously.

Remember, if your cue has limited power... so will you. So, get rid of that heavy cue - lighten up - and play better!

Answer 2

First off, I do not believe anything that comes out of Bob Meucci's mouth, and the previous post on here was no different. There is no way you can make a sweeping generalization about the optimum break cue weight for all men and women like that. There are people of all builds and all ability levels, and I guarantee they all have different optimum cue weights, and don't all fall into the ranges he gave.

I've actually done some calculations to find the relative speed needed to propel a light cue versus a heavy cue to create the same amount power. What I found was that a very heavy cue needs to be propelled at such a lower speed than a light cue, it is entirely possible that there are many people who could probably break harder with a 24 ounce cue than an 17 ounce cue.

I'm not saying that heavier is better, but what I am saying is that the 'ideal' weight if different for everyone, and the only way to find the perfect weight for you is to try out as many as possible. I would suggest going to the local pool hall, and breaking with a selection of the house cues. They generally have cues of a variety of weight and are all the same otherwise so a side by side comparison is pretty easy.

If you're just buying blind, I'd suggest doing what a previous person said and get something about an ounce below the weight of your playing cue.

Answer 3

The easiest way to put it is this.  Weight+speed=power.  If you can't generate enough speed to move the weight you will not have the power.  The higher the weight you can produce the most speed with is the best.  Its all about the speed.   There is no set weight for everyone.  You just have to find the weight thats right for you. For me that means useing a cue that is a bit lighter then my shooting cue.  Hope this helps.  Good luck, and keep rackn em up!

Answer 4

Personally I think that a lighter cue is better for breaking. All the posters before me have made some good points. Except the person that said you should use a tight grip on the cue , That is totally wrong. Any time you squeeze a cue stick too hard it causes your muscles to tighten up. When your muscles are tight in your arm and hand then you lose your freedom of motion and thus your break speed is pretty well gone. Just try tightening up the muscles in your hand and then swinging your arm back and forth like stroking with a cue stick. Now relax the muscles and try swinging again. See how much easier and faster you can stroke? When you pick up a baseball bat do you pick the one that is the heaviest and most awkward for you to swing or do you pick the one feels comfortable and is easy to swing? I'm talking about bat speed and I think the same thing goes for a break cue. I used to think that a heavier cue would just naturally give me a bigger break but after trying a lighter cue , an 18 ounce to be specific , I found that I could get a much better break and have more control over my cue ball in the process. The same way a lighter baseball bat gets through the hitting zone faster and more effectively than a heavier one does. You could say that a bigger more muscular man could do the same thing with a heavier cue but you gotta go back to the light grip that is really required for a good break stroke. All the muscle doesn't matter much when it is relaxed like it should be. You could go on and on about the scientific studies and all the other things that pertain to this subject but I'm just telling you what works for me and most of the players that i know. I also believe that if you checked you would see that almost all ,if not all ,pro players use a light stick to break with.

Answer 5

sure it effects everything

Answer 6

No,  I don't think the weight is important.  Now,  The Tip, your hit and your grip  on the cue is.  Make sure the tip is a hard one.  Your hit is a solid hit on the cue ball.  Your grip is tight (The harder you grip the cue, the harder you strike the balls, therefore the better the break) - You wouldn't believe how many people do not know this.  It does take some practice though - griping and following through.   Happy breaking.

Answer 7

Most professionals use a break cue that is the same weight or one ounce lighter than their normal shooting cue.  Some occasionally use one that's heavier but not by much.  If you're using a 19 oz. cue (common), it's best to stay within 18-20 ounces.  Currently, I shoot with a 19 oz. Predator P2 and an 18 oz. Lucasi though I will likely move to a 19 oz. very soon.