How to buy a quality pool cue?

How much should you spend on a pool cue?

Most of that is for looks and makes the cue much more expensive than what you would need just beginning. So to answer your question: the sky's the limit, however, for someone just starting out a good price range is between $100-$150. Pool cues are made up of two main pieces: the butt and the shaft.

Does pool cue quality matter?

By rule, a strong and sturdy cue will deliver a better stroke and allow for better control of the cue ball. A really good leather tip will also contribute to the ability to use “English” for control over the cue ball. Yes, the finest cues are made with the finest materials.

Do expensive pool cues make a difference?

Players need to know this – pool cue price does not equal quality. Paying more for a cue does not exactly mean you will play better. We have all gotten stuck in this mindset before, simply because we have been conditioned to believe this our whole lives. Some cues are identical, even though they cost different amounts.

What material makes the best pool cue?

Wood is the pool cue material of choice for most pro players, although fiberglass and graphite do have some advantages. They usually are cheaper than high-quality wood cues and you don't have to worry about fiberglass or graphite warping.

Pool Talk: Episode 6: Choosing Your First Cue

What is the difference between cheap and expensive pool cues?

There is a big difference in the manufacture process. Making a Hand-spliced cue is a longer process and often involves extra splicing and includes more exotic woods. The cheapest cues that many suppliers sell are not spliced at all and are in fact painted to look like they are spliced.

Are carbon fiber pool cues better than wood?

Advantages of a carbon-fiber (AKA graphite) shaft include: It is smooth and has very little friction, especially with an open bridge. It stays cleaner than a wood shaft, which can be difficult to keep sealed, clean, and smooth (with no scratches or dings). It is easy and safe to clean with a damp towel.

Should I buy a soft or hard cue tip?

A harder tip has a slightly better hit efficiency (energy transfer) than a softer tip. This will result in slightly more CB speed for a given stroke speed. This can provide a slight advantage for draw shots, where, where slightly more CB speed will retain slightly more backspin on the way to the OB.

Is it better to have a lighter or heavier pool cue?

In general, a lighter cue will allow more control over finesse shots, and a heavier cue will allow more cue ball (CB) speed with less apparent stroke effort. A heavier cue might also be easier for some people to keep on line during the stroke, but this is a very individual thing.

What weight pool cue do most pros use?

What is the standard cue weight? A: The pros use cues which weigh 19 to 19.5 ounces. Available pool sticks range from a low of about 15 to as much as 27 ounces, an extra half-pound over the pro cue.

Which cue tip is best?

Medium-hard tips

This is the most common cue tip, and it gives players a good balance of cue ball control and consistency. Medium-hard tips also require less maintenance than soft tips. Most beginning and intermediate players will benefit from the medium-hard tip.

What makes a professional pool cue?

Low deflection cues are what the professional pool player's use. They are built with special manufacturing processes and components that improve the accuracy of the shaft when applying side spin. They are also more forgiving on straight shots so low deflection cues are great for any skill level, including beginners.

How often should you chalk your cue?

How Often Should You Chalk Your Cue? Some players find success re-chalking after every other shot, but others prefer to re-chalk before each shot they take. You can chalk your cue more sparingly if you want, but if you need to take a shot with some spin, it's a good idea to apply some chalk.

What is the best pool cue length?

If you are mostly playing an eight-ball pool game, the stick you would generally use is about 1.39 to 1.44 metres or 55-57 inches. Some manufacturers provide up to 58 inches. Professional players opt for between 56 and 57-inch cues because they believe these are the perfect sizes for the cue ball.

How do I know if my pool cue is expensive?

Always look for quality and craftsmanship in your cues, whether they're brand new or vintage. The higher quality a cue is the more valuable it is, and the more beautiful it will be. If a cue stick has been changed in any way, refinished or restored, the value of the cue will be greatly diminished.

Is it OK to use snooker cue for pool?

So if you're only casually enjoying English pool whilst focussing on your Snooker game, feel free to play English pool with a Snooker cue. There are marginal caveats to using a Snooker cue to play English pool - Namely a very slight loss of precision over shooting where an English Pool Cue would deliver.

What is the best weight for a cue?

The optimal pool cue weights are typically within the 18 to 21-ounce range, but you can find cues that exceed these figures. A 19 to 20-ounce cue is best if you start the game.

What is the most popular pool cue tip size?

Generally speaking most pool players prefer and 8mm to 8.5mm tip for a 1 & 7/8 pool cue ball, and most snooker players prefer a 9.5mm to 10mm tip for a full size 2 1/16 snooker cue ball. American pool uses an even bigger cue ball so the tip sizes are normally between 12.5 mm and 13.5mm.

Is 13mm cue tip good?

13 mm Diameter Shaft Tip:

This size tip will help you to pocket balls really well. Getting good English with a 13mm shaft will be a little more difficult if you don't already have a really good pool cue stroke.

What weight cue do professionals use?

Select the Right Cue Stick Weight

While professional billiards players tend to use pool sticks that weigh about 19 ounces, it is a better idea for beginners to use pool sticks that are a bit lighter (around 15 ounces) while they are still learning how to pocket those tough shots with ease.

What are cheap pool cues made of?

Materials and design

Good quality pool cues are customarily made from straight-grained hard rock maple wood, especially the shaft. Snooker cues, by contrast, are almost always made of ash wood, although one might come across one with a maple shaft. Maple is stiffer than ash, and cheaper.

What is the strongest cue?

The Black Hole Cue has extremely high Force, Aim, and Speed, with all three skills almost being maxed out. It also has a few bars in Time, giving the player some precious extra seconds to figure out their shot in a difficult situation. Players can obtain the Black Hole Cue by obtaining pieces from games in Mumbai.

How often should you change your cue tip?

When or how often should you replace a cue tip? Usually, a tip is replaced either when you want to try something new or if your current tip has worn down too low, where there is almost no tip material left on the shoulder of the ferrule.

What is the proper pool cue?

57-inch Cues

A full size pool cue is considered to be 57 inches in length, and sometimes 58 inches for two-piece cues. This size is ideal for an adult, allowing a long stretch across the baize so that your left arm is comfortably outstretched, and your right arm has plenty of recoil room for playing a powerful shot.