Pool Cues

[Gentleman First]

Been playing a little pool lately.
ya i do suck.
But despite my total lack of talent, I still want a better stick.

So you pool players what do you recommend?

Thanks

 

[Maury Beniowski]

A better cue, like expensive golf clubs won't make you a better player. It might stroke your ego a bit, and the feel of better quality in your hands might motivate you some, but practice is the path to a better game.

Playing on a level quality table ($3,000+++) using quality Belgian Aramith balls ($120) also make the game more pleasant, and thus could motivate you further still.

You can pick up a good quality cue at many of the billiards or pool shops around town. Some will ocasionally have slightly used or scratched two-piece cues that are really well priced at around $60-$90. No need to spend $300 or more until the game really gets into your blood. There are two different kinds of cues. Pool cues have a larger diameter tip compared to the standard snooker cue. Pool balls are larger than snooker balls. Billiards is another game altogether, using three balls on a larger table. The ideal home table size is 5' x 9', if you have a large enough room. You need at least 5 feet all around. So a 5' x 9' table requires a 15' x 19' room. Most of the well priced home tables are 4' x 8', and the best prices will be in that size.

I expect some very well-priced high quality cues will be coming out of China soon, so this will put downward pressure on the high-end cues out there. Predator is a good name brand available locally, but there are many others, and a visit to Ebay might be a good start.

 

[maverick73]

Been playing a little pool lately.
ya i do suck.
But despite my total lack of talent, I still want a better stick.

So you pool players what do you recommend?

Thanks

real men play foosball!

 

[Quarter Mile'r]

real men play foosball!

No, No, No.......table top hockey !!

Pool.....great game too!

For cues you can check out any local pawn shop they are
loaded with 'em. Depending on what weight of cue you like
generally go for one that feels good in the hand and seems
well balanced. Now go practice !!
..........QM'r

 

[Walk Softly]

Cues

IMO the main reason to buy your own cue is for the consistancy of using the same one all the time. Lately, most of the serious eight-ball and nine-ball players are using a 19 or 20 ounce cue but its more important to find out what weight you are comfortable with. There is also some variance in length.(short people tend to find longer cues awkward and vice versa) I agree with MB that going out and spending a bunch of money early on isn't a big help but my suggestion would be that you try out a few cues of different weights and if possible play a game or two with them before making any decisions. As for a predator...they aren't cheap and unless you're playing at a very competitve level, I doubt you'd notice the difference from the laminated shaft. I've been playing in a league here for a few years and still like my 12 year old $65 Dufferin.

Most importantly GF, HAVE FUN!

 

[n2supersymmetry]

I haven't poke a ball on a pool table table in a hell of a long time but I did learn something.
You might want to consider a wooden core to your cue stick instead of a metal core. I heard that the metal gives the stick more longevity but the wooden core gives more control but warps more easily.
I was never any near a good player to confirm that advice but that is what I have heard.

 

[Annalise Lane]

In all my years playing pool I've owned 4 sticks.

One Viking - it got stolen at a tournament.

Two duffins - one broke and one my son lost.

And one ... mmmm what do you call them sticks that look like bar cues ? Anyway, it got bent when I left it in my car in the winter.

Now I use bar cues and dont care what cue I use.

Weight, from what I understand the higher the weight is for beginners, the lower the weight for better players. Although, so people get different weights for different applications of strokes and English. They change their ends depending on what they want to do. This of course is for high end tournaments.

Big things to remember when learning is your stants (spelling) and your control of the cue. The more level your cue is with the ball the better aquracy you have. Your fingers should also NOT interfere with the tip of the cue, so find a hand position that feels good. Your back arm should be in a 45 degree angle and hold the back of the cue with a light hand. Slowly you will learn how to control the cue ball with English.

Remember, keep it simple, the balls go down one at a time. Dont blink. Keep your strokes gentle and soft, no need to bash the ball, you wont have any control over where it goes til you get better. Dont under estimate your opponent.

Have fun !!

ps. If you already know all this stuff - YOUR on your way to a great sport.... Welcome to the world of pool.