Durability and Choosing The Right Pool Cue
10/19/2010 1:55:54 PM
Durability and Choosing The Right Pool Cue
So basically I have hardly played pool, but since I have been in college I have played everyday. I usually play at least one hour a day. I'm starting to think a pool cue would be nice simply because a lot of the pool cues in my dorm and student center suck. What is a good pool stick for a good price? I am not looking for anything fancy, just something that is durable and a good cue. Hope you can help. Thanks!
Durability and Choosing The Right Pool Cue
Replies & Comments
Fenwick on 10/20/2010 8:34:07 AM
A nice Sneaky Pete from one of the advertisers on this site.
Mitch Alsup on 10/20/2010 4:45:04 PM
For your first cue, there are a few unexpected pointers you should understand.
- There is no way to read up on the internet and figure out how to keep nicks and bumps off the cue. This is something you have to learn by doing the wrong thing. That is, save the second cue for the long term keeper.
- As a novice, you have no preconceived notions as to how a cue should feel (other than smooth on the shaft). You will be able to get used to ANY cue you pick up, and any tip it happens to come with. After a few years, a few tips, and thousand of racks, you will have developed some notions as to how you want a cue to feel, look,...
- Stay away from cues that use materials other than wood for the shaft or covering the shaft. (Is that plain enough?)
- over the course of a couple of years, try out several different tips in several different hardness levels. Try out different colored and different brands of chalk. Combined, they make a useful difference in the feel of the cue.
Given the above, I happen to know that there are hundreds of cues in the $60-$150 range that would make you very happy. But you OWE it to yourself to go out and see them. And because of A and B above, just pick the one that your eye likes, that your hand likes, your bank account likes and call it a day. When it comes around to your second cue, you won't need my advice...
Like I said, a nice Sneaky Pete from one of the advertisers on this site.. $30 - $60 - $90 depending.
Pool123 on 10/21/2010 11:34:11 AM
Thank you for the replies.. Makes plenty of sense to me all i needed was to be pointed in the right direction. It is probably about like golf clubs eh? I golf in college and I know you start out with the basic starter clubs and work your way to the better, more expensive ones. I understand now that pool is basically the same way in that aspect. I was mainly am just looking for a reliable brand. Also, I definately like a lighter stick vs. a heavier one.
I wouldn't recommend a brand name cue any more the I would pick out a pair of shoes for someone. You need to try them on, on your own. I play on two large leagues, 41 tables and no two players have the same cue. Remember you can change out a shaft and have it custom made to fit your cue down the road. You can also change the weight bolt to make a cue heaver or lighter. Your in college and I would guess you play at school or in bars. Would you take a $200 cue to a bar. Not me. But I well take my Sneaky Pete.
Well, unfortunately I do not live in an area with a place to test pool cues, so I have been looking online. As you said my first cue will help me begin to understand what I like and do not like which makes complete sense. I was wandering if a cue like this would be suitable.
*North American Grade "A" Hard Rock Maple Shafts * Pressed and Shaped Leather Tip * 12" Pro Taper on the Shaft * High Impact XTR Fiber Ferrules * High Gloss UV Finish * Solid Maple Butts * XTR Implex Joints
Well, unfortunately I do not live in an area with a place to test pool cues, so I have been looking online. As you said my first cue will help me begin to understand what I like and do not like which makes complete sense. I was wandering if a cue like this would be suitable..
You're not alone. I know a lot of players who buy online after they have some idea what they like; name brand, weight, joint type ie stainless steel, wood to wood or XTR Implex joints, shaft size and tip type. There is still some getting used to any new cue. As far as your selection below I see no problems.
Re-read Mitch Alsup's post again. He gave some sound advice.
You seem good to go. Questions. How much, any inlays and what weight?
guest on 1/18/2011 4:15:59 AM
Hello all,
Excuse me for not registering to the forum, I only have a simple Q... I read all you wrote here, and i'm in the position of pool123 guy also: I have been playing pool for 8 years now, and more and more often (+- once a week) in the last few years. I've reached a pretty good level, clearing an 8 ball table in the first visit every now and then, with a good familiarity with all of the basics and allot of the advanced techniqs (cueing, FT, tangent line, top\back spin, english, and so on... ), and i'm looking for a first cue that will improve and make my game more consistent.
my budget is up to 150$ for the cue only. I contacted an online store (no good pool cues around where i live) and they offerd the Players HXT40 Pool Cue at 120$. I saw the Players E5100 Exotic Pool Cue in 72$ and the Players S-PSPC Pool Cue at 52$, but when i asked the sales man what is the difference between them, he ignored the question...
So, do you think there is a difference (In playability and wood only! i dont care for look at all) between the 3 cues? and at the budget of 150$ for a pool cue, what would you recommend to my needs? buing a simple one (as it is my first cue) , or go for best value at the budget?
Hope i made myself clear.. :) Thx!
Up to 75% of the performance of the cue is in the leather tip Then another 20% of the performance is in the shft This leaves only 5% of the performance to be found in the joint, and all the weighting ramifications of the butt combined.
There is a 95% chance that the shafts on those Players cues are absolutely equivalent.
You might want to visit "J&J Billiards" for a large number of modest cost cues.
I really appreciate the honest answer. Just one thought - do u really think players is bluffing with that anti deflection tech?
The low deflection technology is real and measurable.
However, a better player with a conventional shaft will still beat a slightly lesser player with a low deflection shaft. That is, it changes the "feel" of the cue, but does not add performance to the player {after he comes to grips with the way it actually plays.}
To be honest, only lately did i started getting the grip of cueing with english. my cue action is very good, but i had trouble with the aiming deviation because of the ball deflection. so, i'm probably will have easier time with an anti-deflection shaft.
That being said, I do prefer the sneaky pete look of the E5100, and also the wood to wood joint.. it is also chipper, by 50$, and i can put a tip on it as i wish (I thought about the Moori medium, the HXT40 comes with kaumi black medium). I just wonder how big o a difference in the feel and performance the anti-deflection shaft will give me.. I would have like to go chipper with my first cue, just in case i would like to upgrade it in a few month..
Any last tips?
Durability and Choosing The Right Pool Cue
- Title: Durability and Choosing The Right Pool Cue
- Author: Pool123
- Published: 10/19/2010 1:55:54 PM
