Mark Allen 'getting rid' of new cue despite impressing at Scottish Open with run to semi-finals
Published 20/12/2025 at 12:58 GMT
Mark Allen will be "getting rid" of the new cue he has been using at the Scottish Open, despite his impressive form this week. The Pistol has reached the last four in Edinburgh and is on course for his first title since September, playing with a new piece of equipment while his regular cue undergoes changes. But the Northern Irishman said he will not be sticking with the new one "win or lose".
‘I’m getting rid of it’ – Allen desperate to ditch new cue despite strong showing in Scotland
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mark Allen has said he is "getting rid" of the cue he has been using at the Scottish Open despite reaching the semi-finals of the tournament.
The Pistol has been playing with a new cue in Edinburgh, with his regular one having recently had some work done and not yet available for him to use.
Despite being on course for his first title since winning the English Open in September, the Northern Irishman is certain he will not stick with the new bit of equipment.
Asked by Alan McManus whether it has given him better touch around the table, Allen said on TNT Sports: "It doesn’t feel like that at all.
"Put it this way, I’m getting rid of it as soon as I’m finished in this tournament, I’m going to go back to my other one.
"I feel like I can get a bit more power with the other one, I’m definitely not guessing as much as I am with that; anything over distance is a bit of a guess, and so far this week I've guessed alright.
"I’ve already made my decision that I'm going to get rid of the cue, win or lose."
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'World class' Allen hits total clearance to edge ahead against Zhang
Video credit: TNT Sports
Allen added: "I just wanted to experiment, I felt it couldn't get any worse than it was at York. I was in a bad place with my game, made some changes off the table as well.
"I just needed to experiment a bit. I wanted to come to a tournament and not think technically, and I know I’m guessing a bit with the cue, but I feel like that's helped me.
"I’m just going out there and playing, which sometimes makes it a bit easier."
Allen explained that he recently made the switch to a brass ferrule on his regular cue after using titanium for five years.
However, he had it changed back after it did not have the desired effect, meaning the cue was not available for him to use in Edinburgh.
"I didn't get more power, which I thought I would, so I just said to the guy to change it back to titanium, but he couldn't do it quick enough for me for the Shoot Out," Allen said.
"I would sacrifice [adjusting to a new cue] if I got more power, but it definitely wasn't the case, so I made a quick decision to go back.
"[I’m] just changing the ferrule, it’s already done, it’s waiting for me, he was going to post it, but I didn’t want to take a risk with Christmas post."
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Allen has reached the last four in Edinburgh thanks to victories over Ishpreet Chadha, Yuchen Wang, Zhang Anda and Joe O’Connor.
He will look to book his spot in the final as he takes on Chang Bingyu on Saturday night, with the Chinese potter fresh off a 5-3 victory over Mark Selby.
Awaiting the winner will be either Chris Wakelin or Matthew Selt, who meet on Saturday afternoon.
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Masters, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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