Should a snooker cue be flexible?

A very stiff cue (with very little lateral flexibility) would be useless. The amount of effective endmass and CB deflection would be large, and the direct stiffness effect would be a big factor (unlike with actual pool cues that are very flexible laterally).

How can you tell a good snooker cue?

The best quality snooker cues are made of maple wood or ash wood. There are many other types of woods which you can choose from, including rosewood and snakewood which are used in more luxurious cues. Different types of wood will have different grain lines, colours and feel.

Why do snooker cues bend?

Even a new shaft can warp if the wood wasn't cured properly, or if the shaft was exposed to a hot environment, extreme temperature changes or stored incorrectly. If the shaft is bowed (bent) in a slight arc it's possible to straighten it. If it is “cork screwed” it cannot be straightened.

What is the difference between a snooker cue and a regular cue?

The tip normally measures about 8-9 mm wide. Yes, American cues are usually a little thicker with a larger tip (12-13 mm) to accommodate the larger cue ball. Conversely, snooker cues are thicker and made sturdier with a tip that measures 9-10 mm. As for sturdiness, a cue's shaft is rated based on its deflection rating.

What make snooker cues do the pros use?

What snooker cues do the professionals use? Most pros use John Parris cues and swear by them. However, they are quite expensive and if you're a casual player, SnookerZone wouldn't recommend forking out lots of money on a cue if you're only playing once in a while.

3 Biggest Cue Mistakes (Easy To Fix!)

What is the difference between cheap and expensive snooker 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.

Should snooker cue be heavy or light?

Pool, snooker and billiard cues range from 17 ounces to 21 ounces, and we recommend a cue between 17 to 19 ounces for snooker and standard English and Australian pool playing. A heavier cue (between 20-21 ounces) is often recommended for American Pool as the balls and table are bigger.

Is a soft or hard snooker cue tip better?

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 play pool with a snooker cue?

Using a Snooker or English Pool Cue for American Pool

Whilst English pool and Snooker cues offer more in the way of control and precision, they are not cut out to the vastly increased weight and forces experienced when playing with the larger and heavier 2 1/4" cue balls used in American pool.

Is a heavy snooker cue better?

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.

How tight should you hold a snooker cue?

You HOLD the cue, gently cradling it with your index finger or second finger, closing the hold with your thumb. ​The classic analogy is to pretend that the cue is actually a small bird. You want to hold it tight enough that it does not fly away, but you don't want to hurt or kill it, even through the entire shot.

How often should you oil a snooker cue?

Occasionally, (3-6 months depending on the amount you play) treat the cue with raw linseed oil. Wipe cue down with a damp cloth and dry.

How do you keep snooker cues smooth?

What is the best brand of snooker cue?

What cue weight do snooker pros use?

Most players these days use cues which weigh at least 17 or 18 ounces. Some of the three-quarter cues are a bit heavier, like Barry Hawkins' which is over 19 ounces. He's had it for a long time, it's a very reliable cue which has stood him in good stead.

What size tip do professional snookers use?

Professional snookers players prefer tip sizes of around 9-11mm which offer great ball feel and control on larger tables using 2 1/16 inch balls.

Is snooker good for the brain?

Playing snooker keeps your brain sharp and helps you relax.

Over 1,000 respondents took part in the survey and more than half of them said that they felt their mental health had benefited from playing the game.

Which is harder to play snooker or pool?

The best pool players are very skilful but I'd argue that snooker is harder, given the size of the table. On a pool table the smaller surface area and closer proximity of the pockets means good eyesight is seldom an issue.

How long should a snooker cue last?

If you are playing every day you might change the tip every three or four weeks but if there is a gap it could last longer. I've had the same cue for about the last three years or so.

What is the most popular snooker cue tip?

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.

Should you rough up snooker cue tip?

Should you rough up snooker cue tip? The shorter a tip is cut (or worn down with use and shaping), the harder it will play. If a tip is not scuffed (either with a tool or with frequent chalking with a traditional abrasive chalk), it will not hold chalk very well, and miscues will be more likely.

Should a snooker cue tip be rough?

A billiard cue's leather tip should have a rough texture, not smooth. This is to allow the billiard chalk to stick to the leather. A tip should also be convex or “domed”. Pool cues should have the same curvature as a nickel, while snooker cues should be like that of a dime.

Is 19oz heavy for a snooker cue?

19oz and over – These are heavy cues for snooker, not ideal. Admittedly there are some players who feel the benefit of a heavy cue.

What is the best snooker cue length?

The majority of professionals playing Snooker pick their cue length to be around 5" shorter than their own shoulder level. Perhaps 6 inches for a very good reason.

What makes a snooker cue expensive?

Hand Spliced Or Machine Spliced

Having a cue you fell is inferior may actually hinder your performance. If this is the case then you need to remove either the offending cue, or the thought. Much more time goes into making hand spliced cue which is why they are more expensive.