Mr. Insane's Blog (Pool/Billiards)

weapons update (latest version)

2008-08-07T22:24:00.002+10:00

Proudly present my newest weapons update

Playing cue : Joss JSM-20 ( 19 Oz.)
shafts :

Standard Joss shaft (13mm Triangle tip)
OB-1 shaft (12.75mm Everest tip)
Predator 314-2 shaft (12.75 Everest tip)

Break Cue : Predator BK2

Jump Cue : Bunjee O2 jump cue

Case : Brown Color Joe Porper Designer Case (3 butts 6 shafts)

Accessories : Q Wiz, Master chalk, Williards dime shaper, Shadow Tik Pic, Sir Joseph Billiards Glove

Improvement in my game

2008-08-07T22:00:00.002+10:00

i can feel it.. everytime i play i improve.. slowly but sure.. but Predator BK2 is the best, i have to say that it is the best break cue that i ever used and i will not look at any other break cue anymore (unless Predator makes BK3 haha). BK2 is explosive, accurate (low deflection compare to others), and good cue ball control.

potting the ball is easy now, i do that consistenly.. but i still need to work a lot on my placing/positioning... it is stil very hard.. goosshhhh.....

i get used to the 314-2 shaft already as well... it's very accurate, just too much spin for me... but i like it too... i'm enjoying the game.. hopefully my positioning gets better and better....

Welcome Predator BK2 & soon Bunjee Jump Cue, Good Bye Poison VX2.9 Jump/Break

2008-07-28T23:53:00.002+10:00

yeah.. finally... i got my BK2 and tried it out, it is awesome.... explosive and low deflection. More importantly, i love the cue ball control... it is totally awesome, i'm gonna say this is the best break cue on the market.. you make no mistake when you're deciding to buy it... seriously...

i sold my Poison VX2.9 Jump/Break to my friend, he loves it too.. i used the money to buy a 3 butt 6 shafts Porper Designer Case (Brown), Bunjee jump cue and a porper travel case (for the ease of travelling with my cues since i'm going to bring it back to Indonesia, and i think i will travel a lot and bring my cues)

BK2 = Excellent, don't think twice when you're thinking about it, because you're deciding on the right thing.

cheers

Happy B'Day to me... Predator BK2 ?

2008-07-21T11:56:00.004+10:00

haha.. i wanna wish happy b'day to myself... hope that all those annoying stupid things can stop and end very soon.... and my days begin to shine.....

actually every year on July 21, it just feels like any other day... but i wanna say "thanks a lot" to my friends who treated me a very nice dinner last nite (July 20 in Golden Century, Sydney) and friends who sms me and wish me happy b'day... thanks a lot guys... it means a lot to me... really means a lot..... thanks.. love you guys....

this is the first time i bought myself an expensive gift... guess what it is ? Yeah... undoubtfully.... Predator BK2.... yeah baby... the ultimate and the best break cue on earth... the item had left US so it will be on my hand in a few days time... hopefully sooner hahaha cos' i can't wait any longer to get it on my hand and have a good "break"

yessss..... now my game has improved a lot... in terms of potting and positioning, what i really wanna work on is the safety play and my break.. hopefully BK2 can bring a big difference, i mean big improvement to my game.... thanks God...

The beast is on his way :
"Your item left the United States from O'HARE APT/CHICAGO at 4:20 PM on July 19, 2008"

International Dispatch, July 19, 2008, 4:20 pm, O'HARE APT/CHICAGO
Processed, July 19, 2008, 4:20 pm, CHICAGO, IL 60666
Processed, July 18, 2008, 9:22 pm, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49588
Processed, July 18, 2008, 5:26 pm, KALAMAZOO, MI 49009
Acceptance, July 18, 2008, 4:35 pm, COLDWATER, MI 49036
Electronic Shipping Info Received, July 18, 2008

some of my opinions....

2008-07-12T04:15:00.001+10:00

- The more you practice, the luckier you will be.
- The more you practice, you will find your weaknesses, and most importantly do something about it, correct it, change it, and don't keep a bad habit in you.
- The more you practice, you will become confident, calm, and play better pool.
- The more you practice, your stroke will be fluid and consistent.
- The more you practice, you will deal with less mistakes.
- The more you practice, the more experienced you will be.

Practice + Passion = Play better pool && Become a better player

Practice is the key of becoming better pool player, so let's practice and have fun.

Predator 314 ² shaft had arrived.. Predator BK2 coming soon ???

2008-07-06T00:52:00.000+10:00

It had been awhile... hehe.. just wanna review my Predator 314 ² shaft here, it feels good, solid and very easy to spin, and most importantly low deflection.

I have to say, either Predator 314 ² shaft or OB-1 shaft would be a good choice for you. I really want it for long time and at last my dream came true. I finally got it and used it, but personally i'm more used to OB-1 haha.. may be need a little adjustment for this because of the soft hit feel of OB-1 and solid hit feel of Predator 314 ² shaft, but it's ok i'm very happy to both of them and i really satisfied i got a chance to own a Predator 314 ² shaft.

Just my opinion, if you like Soft Hit get an OB-1, if you like Solid or Stiff hit get a Predator 314 ² shaft.... Performance? They both perform the same. Predator 314 ² shaft is a little heavier than OB-1, so it will make the balance point of the cue more towards the front part of the cue.

Another dream, Predator BK2, i really want it so bad... hmmm... may be i'm gonna sell my cues and try to get one, then i will write the review again...

Wish me luck friends..... Keep shootin pool...

Online Store for Pool/Billiards Supplies

2008-06-19T04:26:00.000+10:00

i personally shopped around 3 -4 times online for my pool cues, shafts and other billiards products

below are the online shops that i personally recommend, but very funny most of the shops don't do the shipping to Indonesia :(

Platinum Billiards - www.platinumbilliards.com ( **** )
+ Good Customer Service (9 out of 10), Fast shipping (8 out of 10), Good Packaging (10 out of 10)
- A bit expensive on the shipping fees, Limited range of products (7 out of 10)

Pooldawg - www.pooldawg.com ( *** )
+ Cheap shipping fees (9 out of 10), Good customer service (7 out of 10), Fast shipping (8 out of 10)
- Packaging (6 out of 10), Limited range of products (6 out of 10)

Seyberts Billiards Supply - www.seyberts.com ( **** )
+ Cheap shipping fees (9 out of 10), Good Customer Service (8 out of 10), Broad range of products (8 out of 10)
- Hmmm.. i haven't really bought sumthin' from them, but i will try, so i will post it here after i try haha..

I believe the stores above are recommended if you wanna purchase pool/billiards equipment online, you can count on me... hehe..

Sydney... Poor Sydney.. Unbelieveable...

2008-06-18T05:20:00.000+10:00

Before i came here to Sydney, i always thought that Sydney is such a big city, you will have everything and anything there as long you have money.

Hohoho, mostly it is true, some parts it is not true. I'm talking from a sports person point of view, especially from pool / billiards, i challenge you to find a proper pool hall that provides 9 feet table for 9 ball or 8 ball (international size). Pubs tables don't count baby...

You can only find one in Sydney and it is not even considered good enough. Well, better than nothing. Pool is not very popular here in Australia, i'm thinking a way of promoting this sports in this country. Hopefully i can do it by holding more competitions or tournaments. Haha..

I'm really surprised that pool in Australia is not as popular as in Asian countries, but Australia has a few people (pro player) who are really good and play in International tournaments (James Delahunty, David Reljic, and Lou Condo Jnr).

I heard that in Melbourne and other states, pool/billiards is more popular than in Sydney. that's why i said "Sydney... Poor Sydney..."

Pro Contra when you buy your pool equiments / sports equipments

2008-06-18T04:49:00.000+10:00

Some people told me "You're wasting so much money on your pool cue, bla bla, etc..." Some people told me "If you love the game, why not? You're only buying a good one and it will last very long."

Well, in my opinion, i really love the game and i believe in order to improve or play more consistently, i should have the proper equipment that i can count on.
Pool cue is an investment to me, i mean long term investment. I believe 90% (practice, love of the game, talents, & experience) comes from the player, the rest is equipment. But do you agree that 10% can make a lot of different in the game, that 10% can kill your game as well. That is what i believe in. I have more confident when i play with my own cue, when i have the proper equipment and so on. I feel the difference and i feel the improvement. I feel the game, my game is getting better and better.

Just listen to yourself when you wanna make a decision before buying a cue, cos it happened to me as well. You can ask for opinions but the decision should come from you, yourself, not anyone else.

Just a little simple example, if you have a jump cue (most importantly you can do a jump shot with it) and your opponent don't have one. When you are in that situation where you can win by one jump shot away, and imagine you don't have that jump cue. That is the 10% i'm talking about, that little 10% can bring glory and the other way around.

Another simple example, Break cue, the reason why a pool player should have a break cue is avoiding breaking with playing cue. The big impact from breaking can cause mushrooming to your cue tip (flatten the tip shape) or damage your playing shaft. I'm sure you don't want to miss a shot because of that, and that's the reason why break cue are made for. It also can bring your game to another level (with a good start which is a good break). Believe me, all these things are made for a reason, and that's another 10% that can change the whole story line.

If Roger Federrer is that good, why he doesn't want to use a cheap tennis racquet (say a $40 racquet) and play Rafael Nadal who uses the best damn racquet? Don't be bias about the sponsorships, money, or whatever bullshits you wanna come out with, Roger has a reason for using that good racquet to help him plays even better besides the money & endorsement etc etc. If he can't play well, can he get a sponsorships?

I simply don't agree with people who don't believe in these kinda things, i had spoken to a few people about sports equipments and they just simply corrected me that it was not the equipment that matters, it was the player, but i respect them tho'. You will know when you're taking any sports more seriously (sorry, you will know when you're on that level), that's when you believe in these things and agree with me.

Something is coming to my arsenal

2008-06-18T02:38:00.000+10:00

Well.. i just want to say that something good is coming to my arsenal.. I won't reveal it.. Let u guys know when it's here... It's something that i long for... Dream comes true, baby...

Hehehe...

OB-1 makes pool a little bit easier

2008-06-18T02:30:00.000+10:00

I have been using it for 4 times until now and i can see the improvement in my games. More accuracy, easier to spin the cue ball, easier to pot in the balls using english (low deflection), good positioning of the cue ball, and win more games.

That is my experience after i upgraded my standard Joss shaft to OB-1 shaft. I have no idea how those guys made this OB-1 shaft but i really want to thank them.

I want to see Crazi-G buy this OB-1 for his Mezz cue too haha...

Those things that I really want...

2008-06-15T04:27:00.001+10:00

Playing cue : Schon STL 09 (19 Oz.) with one Predator 314-2 shaft and one OB-1 shaft

Schon is quite a well known cue. It's my dream cue at the moment haha... With the shaft from Predator & OB-1, this cue will be more beautiful... i think hahaha.....

Break cue : Predator BK2 (18.5 or 19 Oz.)

This is not a myth or a fairy tale, this break cue is for real. It is known as the best break cue, used by most of the pros or people all over the world. I wanna get one for myself as well. Hehehe..

Jump cue : Mezz Air Shooter

I think this is one of the best jump cue as well. Quite pricey, but may be the price worth the quality. I hope so... :)

Cue Case : Predator Blak Case

Don't you think this case looks elegant ?

Accessories : Q Wiz, Master chalk, Tik Pik, Willards Dime Shaper, Sir Joseph Billiards Gloves, & Q Clean.

Well.. well.. well... above are some of the most important accessories every pool player should have...

Joss + OB-1 (review)

2008-06-15T03:43:00.000+10:00

I had been using Joss cue nearly a year now, and i'm amazed by the balance of the cue. It hits very well too, unlike my first cue, Scorpion cue (no feel at all, fiberglass coated shaft is killing me). Most importantly, i have to say the balance of the cue (Joss) is tremendous. It's a good cue and i think i'm gonna use this cue for few years before i buy my dream cue, Schon cue.

I let few friends of mine tried the cue (around 8 peoples) and all of them said it's a good cue. So if you're looking for a nice cue with a reasonable price, Joss is the answer, if you have more bucks to spend, i believe Schon cue is the right thing you're looking at.

The standard shaft plays well, smooth, and stiff. I really like it and i had been using it until last week. My new addition to my arsenal, OB-1 shaft (for Joss cue) had arrived in Sydney. I tried it straight away and i realize the shape of the tip is dime not like the nickel shape of my joss shaft, the shaft is so smooth (even smoother after i polished it with Q Wiz), the feel is definitely good, and most importantly, it deflects much lesser than my joss shaft. It is easier for me to spin (english) as well as moving the cue ball around the table for positioning. I have to say i shoot more accurate and more consistent now.

OB-1 feels softer than my standard joss shaft (stiff), but i must say "Dude, you're looking at the right thing if you're gonna buy a shaft for your cue." I decided to buy OB-1 rather than Predator 314-2 (the shaft that i long for) after i asked 2 peoples for recommendation, one is Indonesia, he is a cue seller (person who introduced Joss cue to me) and the other one is the founder of one of the online pool store in US. Both of them said "OB-1 !!" well then i took the advice and i really appreciate their advice. I play more consistent and I'm confident when i get down for my shots.

Actually, by adding OB-1 to my Joss cue, it does change a bit of the balance of the cue. Before, i really like my center balanced Joss cue, now the balance is towards the front part of the cue. Is that good or bad? Yeah folks, i think i like it and it doesn't matter. OB-1 shaft is a little heavier than the standard Joss shaft. Believe me when you're looking at OB-1 shaft, it is the one for you.

Like what Anitokid said, i also fell that my game became more consistent even on the first day i tried the shaft on my cue. Haha, i was a little bit confused by the way it played but on that day i finished third place in the weekly recreational 8 Ball competition in one of the pool hall in Sydney (Wembley Pool & Snooker Hall in Broadway). I had never done it before until that day, it really made changes and improvement to my game.

Well, in conclusion, Joss itself is a good pool cue, nicely balanced, not over-priced, plus OB-1 Shaft ("low deflection", "soft", "easier to spin the cue ball for positioning", and I'm happy that i made the right decision),WOO HOOOO.... i feel more confident, more accurate and i run more balls and win the games more often.

yeah yeah yeah !!!

My Weapons

2008-06-13T14:50:00.000+10:00

these are the items in my pool cue case:

Playing Cue :
- Joss JSM-20 (Weight 19 Oz.)

Shafts :
- Joss standard shaft (13.25mm medium triangle tip <-- dime)
- OB-1 Shaft (12.75 mm medium everest tip <-- dime)
- Predator 314 - 2 Shaft (12.75mm medium everest tip <-- dime)

Joint size :
- 5/16 x 14

Jump/Break Cue :
- Poison VX2.9 Jump/Break (19 Oz.)

Shaft :
- Poison shaft with DD technology (12.75mm Phenolic Tip)

Chalk :
- Master Chalk (Blue)

Accessories :
- Q Wiz, Towel, Sandpaper, Shadow Tik Pik, Williards Dime Shaper, Sir Joseph Billiards Glove, etc.