I used to play local competitions a lot from the age of 15-23 handicapped so you had a chance against the players capable of knocking in the 100+ breaks.
My highest is 63 acheived twice, once in competition. The first time I got there was all around the pink spot. I also used to use club cues (or branches as they are sometimes derogatively referred to as). Can sympathise with mark and remember spending some time rolling cues around trying to find a half straight branch. I bow to Markreyes with regards tactics as he obviously plays more than me having hit the magical century.
I stick to 8 ball pool now as having got older the eyesight isnt what it used to be. But play pretty competitively. That's now my forte and can be just as frustrating and satisfying.
Two points:
1) Making the step from 50's to 100's is not going to happen overnight for 99% of people. It's a long struggle with lots of practice to inch up to that magical figure.
2) Where I slightly disagree is that a mediocre player will not see the benefit of a good cue. Whilst I do agree that they shouldn't go out and spend massive amounts having a good reliable cue that you can get used to and trust allows you to improve your game much faster and consistently.
Rico I seriously would guard against buying a cheap ass cue bro. There are very good second hand cues available at some of the higher end manufacturers that are worth a look at at nowhere near the price of new handmade models. One pieces being usually slightly cheaper than 2/3. The advantage of second hand cues is that if they are straight and well balanced they are likely to stay that way and not warp over time.
If you're going into a decent snooker hall you'll find that most people who are serious about improving there game either have their own cue or a cue they return to time and again. Some go to the lengths of marking a house cue they trust so that they can reuse. A bit like re-eating with a decent girl.
That's my two pennys worth anyway
