Davis: 'I Can Win It!'

Romford-based Steve Davis first dabbled in pool in the mid-80s but since Matchroom Sport began to promote pool events in the early 90’s Davis has been an ever present. Romford Slim’s finest moment on the blue baize came in 2000 when he overturned an 8 – 2 deficit to knock defending Champion Efren Reyes out of the World Championship 9 - 8. He subsequently beat two former World Champions in Ralf Souquet and Kunihiko Takahashi, before succumbing to Cory Deuel in the last eight.

Having played in every single Mosconi Cup since its inception in 1994, as well as countless World Masters and World Pool Leagues, Davis is well placed to examine the differences between pool and snooker, in particular the equipment used.

Talking exclusively to worldpoolchampionship.com, Steve Davis talks cues, tables, cloth, cushions and what to expect in Cardiff.


" The first big difference is the cue and at the moment I'm at a crossroads on where to go with this one. Some people think I use my snooker cue but I don't. I'm playing with one specially made for me by John Parris which has a snooker-tapered shaft (obviously thicker) , a brown fibre/plastic ferrule (instead than the longer white plastic ones; no reason for this!) and an 11mm tip which is small by pool standards. Although I believe that Oliver Ortman plays with a relatively small diameter as well.

" I'm probably not using the right equipment but it's what I have become used to. I could probably change to an American-tapered style cue but the immediate problem would be learning a completely new set of aiming points when playing with side spin. As I don't play a great deal and I switch between Snooker and Pool for some tournaments during the winter months, I think it's best for me to use a compromise approach.

" The thing is that pool cues are so different and it is quite amazing how the taper is designed for minimum deflection when applying spin. Bob Meucci made me a Pool cue awhile back with a snooker shaft as well that he considered was optimised for a snooker sized ball. I practiced a lot of snooker with it and there was absolutely no deflection. It was amazing! I couldn't play snooker with it because I couldn't unlearn all my years of aiming with a brass ferrule and Snooker taper. I suppose in the end I'm better off sticking with the cue I've played all my pool with even though it is probably a little under spec.

" It takes me a little while to get my pool head on at a tournament and that's my fault because in the build-up to a tournament I don't get any competitive practice in. I practice snooker to get my accuracy levels up to running speed and as I have a Brunswick Gold Crown at home now, I will play competitively against myself for a few days but it's not like the real thing.

" I now don't consider this a problem as after so many years, I have a level of experience on a competition match table. However, I think I would be all at sea on a regular club table because I've only ever played on brand new Simonis cloth. Compared to a snooker table, the cushions play differently on a pool table and the way spin reacts on the cloth is much more pronounced and reactive. In fact so much so that going from pool back to a snooker table, it seems that cushions are only there to stop the balls falling on the floor!

" Playing in TV conditions is totally different to playing in a club and the biggest headache for the game revolves around the ease at which a ball can be made off the break under television conditions. After listening to many of the top players discuss this at Cardiff last year and also at the Mosconi, I might as well add my opinion to the debate! The position of the rack shouldn't be altered and I agree wholeheartedly with the American players that there should be a narrow, break box. I feel that this would redress the balance of the game that was sadly missing at Cardiff last year when the soft break was king and so many combinations on the 9 were left as a result.

" Some people assume that if I took up pool full time, I'd be a World Champion in no time. That's a great compliment but players like Efren, The Scorpion, Mika, The Kaiser, Earl the Pearl and Corey Deuel have years of intense experience playing the game. They know it inside out! Me, I just love the challenge, but I haven't really paid my dues yet. I played Mike Lebron three years ago and he knew exactly what saftey he was going to play before he got to the table. It was beautiful! I got a pool lesson from an expert and regardless of how he would shape up on a snooker table, he knew his trade. Until I had acquired his level of tactical nous, I would be an unlikely winner.

“To guarantee a chance at winning the World Championship like Efren I feel that would have to sacrifice more than I am currently doing. Perhaps spending time in the USA or Philippines? When you play as often as I do you can't expect anything other than what I've already achieved which is the occasional great victories against world-class players. However, I find the game a fantastic challenge and I'm looking forward to pitting my wits and skills against the best in the world in Cardiff. Don't misunderstand me though. If a have a chance and get on a roll, I can win it and I would love to be considered the best all-rounder in the world."