What Is the Purpose of Pool Chalk?

Before taking a shot, a competitive pool player must decide not only which ball will fall into which pocket, but also where the cue ball will end up, setting up future shots. Knowledge of angles and the effects of spin on the cue ball are essential for this planning, but execution requires a level of control that would be impossible without chalk, both for the cue tip and for the shooter's hand.

  1. History

    • "Pool chalk" typically refers to cue chalk, which was the creation of inventor William Hoskins. California billiards champion William Spinks found a piece of chalk in France that he deemed perfect for playing pool and took it to Hoskins. Hoskins reproduced the chalk and devised a process to make it in huge quantities. Hoskins' cue chalk, or some variation of it, is now used throughout the world.

    Function

    • Cue chalk is applied to the end of the cue tip, increasing friction between the cue and the cue ball. This prevents the cue from sliding off the ball during impact and sending the cue ball in the wrong direction. Cue chalk also increases the duration of impact, allowing a skilled player to add spin to the cue ball and make more difficult shots.

    Application

    • A hard, smooth tip will not hold chalk, so it is important to keep your cue tip rough. Rubbing it down with sandpaper is the best way to do this, though any rough surface will work. Pressing the chalk down too hard during application can create a hard cake, which is counterproductive. When applied correctly, some of the chalk will come off during each shot, so it should be reapplied after each shot.

    Considerations

    • Not all manufacturers produce chalk of equal quality; most serious players prefer chalk that is hard and dry, because soft chalk can absorb moisture, which reduces the friction the chalk creates. In the worst case, chalk that has absorbed a lot of moisture can form a hard shell, making it difficult to apply to the cue tip and not very effective.

    Types

    • Another type of chalk used in pool is hand chalk, which is applied to the bridge hand that holds the front end of the cue. It keeps the shooter's hand dry and reduces friction between his hand and the cue stick, allowing for a smoother stroke and more control over the cue stick during a shot. Many professionals prefer to use a pool glove for this purpose, and some players use a hand towel to dry their hands between shots.