In reply to:
On a more serious note, good english requires a good tip on the end of the cue. It needs to "grip" the ball during the millisecond of contact.
Regular "picking" and shaping of the cue tip should help with this. I personally shape to the edge of a nickel, and I use a hard tip, but I don't play many masse shots.
Phenolic balls (or ivory if you've got a really old set) don't lose their "action" over time, though chips, nicks and being generally dirty can affect how they play.
I recently moved over to 9-ball from a misspent youth playing Snooker and Boston... it's a new and interesting challenge. Focuses a lot of your game on your leave.
Bren R.
