What to Look for When Buying a Pool or Snooker Cue
Choosing pool or snooker cues is not easy. There are many types and brands on the market, and often a good cue is a matter of preference and personal ‘feel’ for the item. Of course, beginners may not require the best cue on the market; but it helps to understand what to look out for. By paying attention to a pool or snooker cue’s design and the materials used, you are able to ensure you are buying the best cue for your needs.
Pool and snooker cues average around 57 inches long, but you can buy short pool and snooker cues which start from 36 inches. Snooker cues are generally slightly shorter than pool cues, and which one you choose will obviously depend on the sport which you are playing. The most common design is a one-piece cue, which is a single piece with a uniform taper, narrower at the tip than the butt. Two-piece and three-piece varieties are usually used in snooker, and these types are divided with joints for ease of transport, and can fit into specially designed cue bags.
The joints also allow for optional extensions. If you are buying a cue to be used in a single location, be it your home or business, choose a single piece. If you are looking to travel with your cue, to enter competitions for example, an easily transported jointed cue might be a better option. If you are opting for a jointed cue ensure that the joints are smooth and of good quality, generally look for brass in traditional cues or steel in more modern designs. Speciality cues are used for particular shots. A pool break cue is used for break shots, so has a thinner tip.
A jump cue is a light cue used to make a jump shot easier. Some regular cues have a joint which enables them to be adapted into a jump cue when necessary, although a regular cue is fine to make a break shot if you are not playing professionally. Hand spliced pool and snooker cues are generally a higher quality than mass-produced cues built with a machine, but they are also more expensive. Good quality snooker cues are made from hardwoods such as Ash, and they may have a veneer of expensive exotic woods such as Snakewood, Mexican Rosewood or Cocobolo.
Veneers are generally for aesthetic purposes, as is the mock ebony black ended design which is extremely common. New materials such as graphite are being used to create lightweight and hardwearing cues, and whether you choose hardwood or graphite is a personal opinion. Most players, however, look for a cue which is balanced, has power and which they like the feel of. Online retailers of snooker cues tend to stock a wider selection of attractively prices cue types than traditional shops, making it easier to find the right cue for you.
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