How to Choose a Good Pool Cue

Pool is a sport that requires very keen hand and eye coordination skills. A strategic mental game that challenges every player. The main goal of the game is to sink all of your balls, whether that be stripes or solids, then sink the eight ball before your opponent. The aim of the game cannot be accomplished without an essential cue. The first solid step in boosting your pool game is knowing how to choose the right pool stick. Stepping into the bar and seeing the pool table across the room is the equivalent to stepping out onto the battlefield. The primary weapon in combat is the pool cue.

WHAT IS A POOL CUE The pool cue is composed of two parts: the shaft and the butt. The rubber piece is located on the butt of the stick, this piece can be referred to as the bumper or butt cap. From the natural wear and tear of the game

HOW TO PICK A GOOD POOL CUE How to pick a good pool cue comes down to a simple fact; the harder the material, the more power the punch of the player will pack. The softer will give more control over the ball. When choosing the right pool stick, the buyer should look for a few things: material, ferrule, and tip. Wood and graphite are the two materials that companies use. Wood is usually the most preferable among players.

HOW TO CHOOSE A POOL CUE LENGTH The length of your stick should be able to fit with the length of your own arms, this will provide full control of the game. Playing with a cue that isn’t the right size will negatively impact your game. Though cues come in a variety of different lengths, the standard is 58”. The true deciding factors for searching for a good cue is height and arm length. If you’re taller (6’4 and up) and the standard fit doesn’t work, you have the option of an extension. An extension is something that screws into or slides onto the butt end of the cue. If you’re shorter than the standard may be too long for you. Again, cues come in a variety of different lengths, so finding a shorter cue isn’t a hard task.

HOW TO CHOOSE A POOL CUE TIP You can almost say the tip of the pool stick is the most important part as it is the only piece that makes contact with the cue ball. Having the nicest stick in the world won’t matter if you’re not able to execute accuracy and consistently make contact with the ball. The shot being a hit or miss can be merely determined by the details of the tip. There are four types of tips: soft, medium hard, hard, and phenolic. Each one of them has their own pros and cons. Soft tips are like a sponge, as they’re able to soak up more energy from the impact. This advantage easily becomes one of its disadvantages. Being able to achieve this type of hit makes the maintenance high because it gets damaged more frequently. They tend to mushroom and need more reshaping. Medium hard is the most common type where you get the best of both worlds. The tip provides a perfect combination of control and consistency. It also requires less maintenance. Hard tips last longer, give some consistency and require less maintenance. Unlike a soft tip, a hard tip takes in less energy during impact. The likelihood of miscues is higher because of this. Phenolic are as hard as the cue ball itself and don’t require any maintenance at all. They’re able to transfer the maximum amount of energy.