Chalk Up Legacy Banner

Why Do You Chalk a Pool Stick?

1 comment

If you’ve ever watched a game of billiards, you may wonder why the players apply chalk to the end of their cue sticks. Or if you play, you might be curious about how and when it is recommended to ‘chalk up’. The reason chalk is applied to a cue stick is that it adds friction. Chalk adds ‘motion-resistance’ between the cue and the spot where it hits the cue ball. This prevents the cue from sliding off the ball prematurely, ruining the shot (called a ‘miscue’). Over time, the tip of a pool stick becomes worn and smooth from use. Chalk provides the friction necessary to make a shot. Another less-direct advantage to chalking up is that it forces the player to pace him or herself and spend a little extra time focusing and concentrating between shots.

How frequently should a player add chalk?

The answer can vary from player to player, but generally players chalk up after every other shot. Also, if a player is considering a shot that requires some extra spin on the ball, he or she will likely chalk up right before that shot, as the smaller amount of surface area used on both the cue tip and the ball requires additional friction.

Is there a disadvantage to chalking up frequently?

The only real disadvantage of frequently chalking up is that it adds extra chalk dust to the table and balls. To minimize this, consider gently tapping your cue stick after chalking, to shake off any loose chalk.

What is the best way to chalk up?

The first step is to understand your cue stick, as they come in different levels of hardness. Softer cue tips hold more chalk, however they tend not to last as long as harder ones. Chalk should be applied like lipstick - lightly, but completely and evenly. Grinding the chalk into the tip will only wear the tip down and shorten its
life, not to mention get chalk all over your clothes! If you can see a large hole in the chalk, this is a good indicator that the chalk should be replaced.

Need a table to hit those chalked shots on ?

  • Mustang 8 Ft Pool Table
    Legacy Billiards 8 Ft Mustang Pool Table in Graphite Finish with Red Cloth
    Mustang 8 Ft Pool Table
    Regular price
    $2,799.99
    Regular price
    $3,099.99
    Sale price
    $2,799.99
    $300 OFF
  • Stallion 8 Ft Pool Table
    Legacy Billiards Stallion Pool Table in Nutmeg Finish with Desert Cloth - Primary Image
    Stallion 8 Ft Pool Table
    Regular price
    $2,799.99
    Regular price
    $3,099.99
    Sale price
    $2,799.99
    $300 OFF
  • Blazer 8 Ft Pool Table
    Legacy Billiards 8 Ft Blazer Pool Table in Nutmeg Finish with Green Cloth
    Blazer 8 Ft Pool Table
    Regular price
    $2,799.99
    Regular price
    $3,099.99
    Sale price
    $2,799.99
    $300 OFF
  • Baylor II 7 Ft Pool Table - Modern Series
    Legacy Billiards 7 Ft Baylor II Pool Table in Shade Finish with Blue Cloth
    Baylor II 7 Ft Pool Table - Modern Series
    Regular price
    From $3,499.99
    Regular price
    $3,999.99
    Sale price
    From $3,499.99
    $500 OFF
    SHADE FINISH

1 comment

Tonya Carroll
Tonya Carroll

Chalk isn’t just for looks! It adds friction to the cue tip, preventing slips and ensuring better control over the cue ball for those amazing trick shots.

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.