Choosing A Pool Cue

The choice to purchase your own billiard cue forces you to have to decide between hundreds of available models. Choosing a pool cue can be a rather difficult task as many factors must be considered. When you choose your own pool cue, you'll reap the benefit of always playing with the exact same cue, and not having to adjust to the pool cues of each billiard room.

Choosing A Pool Cue

To begin, take a mental note of which pool cues feel the most comfortable during play, and the ones that help you play your best. You'll want to experiment with cues of different length, weight, and tip diameter before you commit to choosing a pool cue of your own. Some specific items to consider when choosing a pool cue are it's straightness, weight, length, and tip.

A cue's straightness will have a direct effect on how it plays, and should be expressly considered when choosing a pool cue. This applies to the purchase of both second-hand pool cues as well as new ones. Though production cues are not crooked or warped, it is a good practice to double check. This can be done in several ways. First, roll the cue on a flat surface. If during the roll, the cue jumps or appears to be uneven, then it does not likely have the desired straightness and thus should not be considered when choosing a pool cue. It can also be tested by resting the tip on a table or other surface, and holding the cue's butt up near your eyeball. Look directly down the shaft and spin the cue. If there are any irregularities, you'll likely notice them immediately.

The weight of a cue is an aspect of choosing a pool cue that has been debated heavily over recent years. Some say that more power can be derived from a heavier cue, while others maintain that a lighter cue is easier to handle and allows for proper execution of various shots. The average cue stick has an approximate weight of between 17 to 22 ounces. With this aspect, it is best to simply try out a few different weights, and go with what feels best to you.

When choosing a pool cue, you'll need to be cognizant of the fact that size does matter. To determine the length of your pool cue, you must consider the length of your arm. The general rule of thumb is; Longer arms, longer stick. Most production cues tend to start at about 57 inches.

Some consider the tip to be the most important part of the cue, and thus, it is an aspect that should be considered carefully when choosing a pool cue. Cue tips are measured in millimeters, and vary in diameter from around 12mm to 14 mm. Cue tip size, like cue weight, is dependant on personal preferences and what feels and plays good. Additionally, when examining the cue tip, you'll want to generally look for a tip that is rounded. A flat tip is generally considered undesirable. If you are a player who generally applies a lot of English to your shots, you'll want to choose a tip that is even more rounded.

If you carefully consider the pool cue's tip, weight, straightness, and length, you will be sure to choose a pool cue that plays wonderfully, and as you expect. Above all, however, the cue stick must feel right.