Choosing a Pool Cue
As with most sports, the billiards equipment that you use doesn’t necessarily make you good at the sport, or bad. However, the better the equipment, the better chance you have of playing the game without shoddy equipment holding you back and getting in your way. This is especially important if you’re playing for a wager.
When you visit you local Pool Hall or Game Room, there are usually an assortment of cues to choose from if you didn’t bring your own. Follow along for a few solid tips on choosing the one that will give you the best performance, and give your game a winning edge.
The first thing you want to do, is pick a straight one. If the cue is crooked or has a bow in it, move on. You need a straight shaft to shoot straight. Sometimes this can be obvious, while at other times a cue may look straight, but isn’t. A quick way to tell, is to pick one that looks straight and roll it around on the table. If the stick wobbles when it rolls, you know you have one that isn’t good and straight. If the cue rolls smooth, that’s a good sign that it’s straight.
Next up, you want to determine the weight of the cue, which can usually be found printed near the base. Most cues are in the 16 to 21 ounce range. If you can’t find the weight printed on the cue, you can pick up a few to compare. This is strictly for comfort, so pick the one that feels right.
Another important thing to consider, is the tip. You want a cue that has a well-defined edge on the tip. If the tip is worn down and rounded off on the edges, this can directly affect your game with bad shots. Having that defined edge can greatly help with good solid shots.
If you want to continually improve at the game with a consistent scoring expectation, it’s strongly recommended that you have your own. It just so happens that you can find some great buys on cues right here on Hot Billiard Deals. Many cues screw together in the middle, where they can easily be disassembled for portability. Happy bidding!