How To Buy A Pool Cue: Everything You Need to Know

How much does a pool cue cost? What should I look out for before buying one?

The game of billiards or snooker has been around since the 17th century. Today, it’s played worldwide and is enjoyed by millions of people. Pool cue is an important consideration to make or break your game.

A pool cue is a long stick with a handle at one end and a tip at the other. They come in various sizes, shapes, and materials. Some are designed specifically for certain games, such as pocket cues for snooker and English billiards. Others are general purpose cues for table tennis, badminton, and carom billiards.

Also Read: How Long Does Pool Cue Last?

So, Which Pool Cue Should I Buy?

Here are some important considerations while buying a pool cue:

1. Balance/Weight

Once you’ve discovered the cue, you like and found the perfect amount of weight, how balanced? Most cues weigh between 18 and 21 ounces of weight, meaning that the amount you see is the weight of the assembled cue.

Most house cues are constructed with the bulk of the weight being placed on the back of the cue. If the shooter has a vertically challenged arm or shorter than average arm span (like me), the cue may appear “butt heavy” and innately result in two things that could occur:

(1) The player is likely to hold the cue in a way that is too away to compensate, and

(2) The tip of the cue will be pulled upwards in the follow-through due to the extra weight in the back.

If you’re on the smaller side, you should look for an instrument heavier in the forward direction. When producing cues, the weights on the butt are made to be removed or added easily. So the balance could differ based on the total weight in the cue. 19 ounces is considered the most well-known and the ideal weight to use in the back.

2. Cue Style

If you’re debating style over function, consider the skill level that the person is playing (and the budget you have set). After you’ve identified the price range, the skill level, and the performance of the cue, you can restrict your options for aesthetics to a few choices. Most of the time, when you are within certain price ranges, the cue quality will not change significantly. The price difference is more about fashion than the function.

3. Level of Competency

Most beginners can find a good starting cue that is priced in the $100-$100 range. If a player is beginning to compete in tournaments or leagues, it is possible to think about upgrading to a cue that has a bit more muscle.

4. Performance

As serious a person is, the more advanced the cue technology will need. Predator cues have a shaft with a low deflection created to increase accuracy and efficiency. My personal preference is for products with low deflection. Other brands that produce similar effects include Cuetec Cynergy, McDermott, and Meucci. Check out this video to learn more about the cue ball’s deflection so that you can determine whether this technology is suitable for your sport!

If the player doesn’t need a high-end performance cue, most cues (unless otherwise noted) include the traditional maple shaft. To improve the performance and longevity of your cue, don’t store your cue in the leaning direction or extreme temperature or cold temperatures.

Steps to Choose The Best Cue Tip

1. Create the Budget

A quality cue for the pool isn’t worth putting yourself in debt. Therefore, you must be upfront about the amount you can invest in cues. A specific budget in mind will allow you to make a more informed decision about the cues you select. If you want a high-quality cue at the lower end of the scale, you should budget for around $100.

Some factors that influence the price are the materials the cue is made from, the wrap type, wrap materials, and the size. You could pay more if you’re above average height and require more space on your cue.
Professional cues may cost up to $500. However, such a cue is not essential for a beginner.

2. Choose a Single-Piece Cube to Use at Home

One-piece cues cannot break apart and therefore are not intended for travel. If you are playing at home, it is not necessary to have an instrument designed to be used in travel. Cues made of one piece are less expensive and the best alternative for home use.

One-piece cues cannot be transported; however, carrying a five-foot stick with you is uncomfortable.
One of the potential downsides of a single-piece cue could be that it is more susceptible to shift over time.

3. Purchase a Cue Set That is Two Pieces to Play Competitive.

If you’re buying an outdoor pool cue to ensure that you can play in tournaments that are not within your home, it’s advisable to get a cue that can be split into two parts. They usually come with some case for carrying to facilitate travel.

You may still purchase an instrument that is two pieces for use at home when you discover one that you like well, but it’s not essential.
One benefit of cues made of two pieces is that if the shaft starts to become warped, you can purchase a new shaft and keep your cue’s butt.

4. Choose a Cue That is Of The Correct Size for The Height You’re At.

Standard cues tend to be 57 inches long for one-piece cues and 58 inches for two-piece cues. However, kids or people with a height that is below average ought to choose the 52-inch or 48-inch cue. People who are more than 6 feet 5 inches tall may have to order cues that are up to 61 inches in length.

Also Read: How Long Is A Pool Cue?

5. Place the Cue in Your Palm for a Moment to Sense The Force.

Cues for pool weigh between 17 and 21 ounces, with most players choosing 20-ounce or 19-ounce cues. The weight of the cue affects your shot, which is why it is important to select the right weight that is easy to use.

The bulk of the cue’s mass is located in the butt because the butt is much thicker than the shaft. If you’ve tried the cue and feel it is excessively heavy on your hand, consider a cue with a lighter weight.
Shorter individuals tend to prefer an easier cue since heavier ones result in them lowering the butt while raising the cue’s tips during the shot. This causes them to not connect well to the ball.
Some players prefer a stronger cue to break and an easier cue for skilled shots.

6. Choose a Comfortable Wrap

It is the portion of the cue you hold using your hands behind. Since it is the portion of the cue you are in the most contact with, you’ll want to feel at ease. Wrap choices include linen and leather. However, some cues may not have wrapped in any way.

If you are prone to sweaty hands while playing pool, you should use an alternative to bare fiberglass or wood. The best choices are Irish cotton or leather, which can both be used for absorption.
There are grips made of rubber that can be purchased however you must ensure that the rubber you purchase is of good quality and is smooth and dry, without sticking. Wraps made of rubber can degrade faster than linen or leather wraps.
It is not something you can pick simply by just looking at it. You must keep the cue in your hands and pick the wrap that is most comfortable to you.

Also Read: How To Hold A Pool Cue?

7. Look Down to the Bottom of the Cue to Determine its Straightness.

Place the cue’s butt at eye level, and gaze at it along the length. Then slowly spin the cue in order to examine the entire surface. Check for any anomalies in the cue. Be sure to purchase a cue which is straight.

The majority of pool cues are made to the highest standards It’s highly unlikely you’ll see a brand new cue that’s crooked however it’s recommended to test.
It’s sometimes suggested to test the cue by rolling it along an even surface to determine how smoothly it moves. However, this is not always a reliable test since it is impossible to tell whether the surface is flat.

8. Select the Best Tip.

Tips are available as soft, middle, and tough. Each tip type provides an individual difference in playing. Soft tips are excellent when you are putting many spins onto the cue ball. The tips that are harder generally last longer, but aren’t as able to ball spin. Medium tips are pretty standard on cues that are new^.

Soft tips are more likely to break and wear down quicker, so if you don’t need to watch them, and do more frequent maintenance, do not purchase an oversized tip.
The tips that are hard to use tend to be more likely to glance off the ball as you hit off-center. If you tend to shoot towards an outside edge of the cue ball, then a hard tip isn’t the most ideal choice.

Also Read: How To Replace the Pool Cue Tip

9. Make Practice Shots at the Table.

If you purchase at a shop where tables are set up for testing, make sure you try the cue prior to purchasing it. Find a good shooting position, and take at least four or five shots using the cue.

If the store doesn’t have tables or they don’t permit you to practice, ask about returns policy they have, so that the cue can be played in a few games with the cue before making the final decision.
You’ll be unable to discern if a cue is the right one for you until you’ve played with it.

10. Select The Stick That Has the Lowest Vibration in Your Budget.

Pay attention to the sound that the cue makes when it hits the ball. You can feel the vibrations in your hands. If you can hear a strong clicking sound when you hit the ball, you’ll probably feel a strong vibration. A softer pop sound means less vibration.

Higher-end cues make more of soft pop sounds when they strike the ball, and this translates to less vibration rushing through the stick to your hand.
The vibration affects how smooth your shots are therefore, you need to choose an instrument that is low in vibration.

General Tips for Choosing the Pool Cue

When choosing a cue in the bar or pool hall, the most important aspects to look for are:

Be sure that the ferrule and tip are secure to the ends of the cue. There should be there being no fractures within the ferrule, or cue wood.
Be sure that the tip of the cue isn’t glazed over and hardened in the cue ball’s surface. If it’s hardened, it won’t be able to hold chalk well and the tip will not grip the cue ball as effectively (especially in the case of off-center hits either intentionally or not) and could lead to mistakes.
Make sure that the Cue remains straight. You can test it by rolling your cue across the table (or at an angle to the middle of the cue against cushion) and ensuring it isn’t wobbling too much.
Select a weight that is the most comfortable for you.

Also Read: How To Clean A Pool Cue?

Conclusion

Choosing the best pool cue requires some research. It’s not just about buying the first thing that catches your eye. There are many different factors to consider such as the length of the shaft, size of the ferrule, tip shape, tip material, and overall quality of the cue.

There are also many different types of cues out there, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The type of cue that you buy depends on what kind of game you play and whether you want a high-performance cue or simply something that looks nice.