Get a Gr By Anthony Beeler
B
ack in 1999, Rack and Cue Billiards in Campbellsville, Kentucky was the setting for the state’s 9-ball Championship. Players like John Brumback Shannon Daulton and Stan Shuffett were all regulars in quest for the title.
At that time, I was beginning to learn more about the little intricacies of the game, such as mechanics and advanced fundamentals. One topic I was particularly curious about was the grip. Mike Blevins was from Somerset, Kentucky and he was an incredibly difficult to beat. In fact, in addition to Gerald Daulton, Mike was given credit by many for teaching Shannon
Daulton how to play. After loosing to Shannon Daulton in the finals the previous year, I soon found myself face to face with Mike in the finals of the 1999 rendition. During our match, I began to pay close attention to Mike’s grip. Mike always seemed to move the cue ball effortlessly around the table and I always believed this was due to the way that he held the cue.
t is important to remember that if you hold the cue too tightly there is a tendency to stop your stroke. Mike primarily held his cue lightly, resting it on only the front fingers with the little finger not touching the cue. 49
