How Does Chalk Affect a Pool Shot?
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Friction
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The main purpose of pool chalk is to create friction. When the smooth tip of a pool cue meets the smooth, rounded surface of a pool ball, there is going to be a certain degree of slippage. This means less precision for the person playing the game. Chalk is the solution to that slippage. Just a light dusting of the tip can alleviate the chance for slippage, which can lead to an easy miscue (i.e. the ball shooting off into a direction the player did not intend).
Properties
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Pool chalk is not the same as chalk you might find in the tray underneath a school's blackboard. It is typically made with a silicate base, and may sometimes be created with the use of talcum powder. If the latter chalk is used, it works in much the same way a weightlifter's chalk would. In all cases, however, the main purpose of the chalk is to create friction. If this is done (without creating more problems than it is solving), then the chalk should suffice for the game.
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Hand Chalk
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When talking about pool chalk, most people think of chalking the end of the pool cue, so that's what we've covered in this article. However, there is another important dimension to using pool chalk that is overlooked by all but a few of the best players. Using chalk on your hand when playing pool can greatly improve your grip on the stick. Just a very light dusting around the right palm (if you're right handed) can ensure that you don't lose grip in the middle of an important shot.
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