DejiThere are many things to consider once you’ve decided to purchase a pool cue.
You may either be a beginner or might have been playing at your friend’s house or your local bar, and the only stick you’ve ever used is the nerve-racking one-piece house cue.
For this reason, it’s time to invest in some suitable equipment to help you enjoy your game more and move to an advanced level.
Having your own two-piece pool cue will make you get familiar with your stick and hasten your performance to fit in among the best pool players.
There are some detailed parts of a cue made differently with various materials, which can have a strong effect on how the cues feel and how they perform.
You should also keep in mind that these pool cues should be elementary and have a concrete strike.
I’ve created this buyer’s guide to discuss what factors you should look out for when purchasing your pool cue, to review the best pool cues for beginners, and how to differentiate low-quality pool cue from high-grade options.
Top 5 Pool Cues
McDermott Lucky L9 Pool Cue
L9 Lucky Pool Cue of McDermott is a two-piece cue.
It is made with hard rock maple and weighs 20 ounces with 13mm leather tip and Irish linen wrap. It has 3 years of warranty.
Pros
- Made with hard maple rock.
- It consists of a soft case.
- It is a two-piece pool cue.
- It is made with Irish linen wrap, which provides a better grip and control.
Cons
- No wrap.
- It does not come with a joint protector.
T&R Sports Billiard Two-Piece Cue
This Two-Piece Cue is made with Irish linen wrap and a black body. Its stick length is 58 inches, and it has a 13mm tip that is glued to the cue.
It provides high-level power and spin performance. It is easy to control and is lightweight.
Pros
- It is best for traveling purpose
- It consists of stainless-steel center joint
- It stands out professionally.
- It is made with an exceptional wood core and composite construction.
- It weighs 19.5 ounces.
Cons
- The wrap may require more time to get used to.
- The tip might not be easy to shape and may burst open quickly.
Valhalla by Viking 2 Piece Pool Cue
The shaft is made from Hard Rock Maple. The premium leather tip is 13 millimeters. It also comes in different colors.
Pros
- It is always easy to transport.
- It has a lifetime warranty, even against warping.
- It is made with Stainless Steel 5/16 inches X 18.
- 58 inches pool cue with Irish Linen Wrap.
- Available weight from 1 – 21 oz.
Cons
- Less control over the cue ball due to the hardness of the leather tip.
CUESOUL 58 Inch Two-Piece Maple Billiard Stick Pool Cue 19 Oz
CUESOUL 58 Inch provides you with different tip sizes and color ranges of cues. Also, some come with a cue case.
Pros
- Canadian A++ Maple Wood with 11.5/12.75mm Leather Tip.
- The Cuesoul stick has a Canadian Maple wood shaft with Luxury Pearl White Finish.
- Stainless Steel Collar + Rocket Pin.
- It comes with a joint protector and a cleaning towel.
Cons
- The cue stick might bend over time.
Players Classically Styled Crimson Maple Pool Cue (C-960)
This unit is also one of the best pool cues for beginners. It is made with Hard maple wood shaft, with a huge value. The two-piece cue is 58-inch long and available in 4 weight varieties.
Additionally, Crimson pool cue has a stainless-steel joint collar and 13mm.
Pros
- The cue has a Le Pro medium-hard tip for better cue ball control.
- Double pressed Irish linen wrap on (C-960) can absorb maximum moisture.
- Two-piece cue is great for traveling.
- UV coating for further protection.
Cons
- It does not come with a pool case.
Features to Consider When Shopping for a Pool Cue
- Shaft
The pool cue shaft is usually made out of maple.
Acer saccharum (hard maple) is regarded as the king of all maples; it is much pricier compared with other maples and is the type of wood, which has been found to provide the best feel, durability, and flexibility required of a pool cue shaft.
The type of shaft tape and diameter determines how comfortable it is to hold a cue.
13mm is often the most frequent size chosen. However, models with a smaller shaft diameter make it quite easier to perform on the cue ball, but be mindful of the fact that it can as well cause too much spin on the ball, and it might not be easy to control.
Most importantly, ensure you choose a size you’ll feel comfortable with, so you can have total control over the cue.
- Shaft Taper
Basically, the shaft taper is the shape of the shaft, starting from the tip to the joint of the cue.
Usually, about 10 – 15 inches shaft diameter is what most modern cue models will have, and it will stay the same for the full length before it starts to accumulate in size towards the joint end.
A lot of cue shafts give a cone-shaped taper, which usually has shorter tips of about 12mm.
The way the cue feels in your hand will depend on the differences in the tapers, either long or short.
Usually, the longer the taper, the stretcher the cue will be. Shorter tapers, on the other hand, provide a secured stiffer strike.
- Wrap
The function of the wrap is to provide the player with a spot to hold their cue while shooting.
Wrap differs in grip, and the type of grip to go for should have a texture that makes the cue satisfying to hold and feel at ease.
Some models can be made with leather, which will be a great option if you prefer the area smoothness and the texture it provides.
If you have sweaty hands, it’ll be advised you go for a model that’s packaged in Irish linen or synthetic wrap cue.
I will urge you to stay off Nylon wrap because they tend to unravel and are only found on low-cost cues. Other wrap materials include leather, rubber, Suede, Lucasi Hybrid, Isoprene, Veltex, wrapless, leatherette.
- Weight
As a beginner, the ideal weight, to begin with, is around 19 – 20 ounces. That is the most familiar cue weight for most players, and it is a convenient means between having control and power over the cue ball.
You can adjust your weight as most pool cues come adjustable where you can either add or take down weight bolts.
Please, be aware that heavier cues can gain you more power, but it will be hard to control the cue ball swiftness.
For high speed on the cue ball, extra light cues can guarantee you that, but it will give less power over the cue balls.
- Length
The ideal length for one-piece pool cues is 57 inches. Typical two-piece cues are 57 to 59 inches long with a shaft pattern and butt end of 29 inches.
There are also preferences open to extra-tall players or shorter players. Smaller-sized cues are offered in a range length starting from 48 to 52 inches in length.
If you have a stuffed space, you should consider going for these pool cue lengths.
- Pins and Joints
The pool cue you should consider purchasing should have a joint pin, which is the area that connects the butt and the shaft.
For most beginner cues, there are many different pins used to thread all of the pieces together as one. The most common pin sizes are a 3/8 x 10 pin, 5/16 x 18 pin, or 5/16 x 14 thread pin.
The different types of material which the joints can be made from are; plastic materials (also known as composite and phenolic), stainless steel, and wood.
A cue with a wood-to-wood joint gives a very natural feels, and it is softer compared with other materials.
A stainless-steel joint cue gives a stiffer hit, which makes you not to feel the whole cue when you strike a ball.
A cue made from plastic materials tends to have a solid hit; the feel of these cues usually falls in between the soft feel of the wood-to-wood and the stiff feel of the stainless steel.
- Pool Cue Tip Styles
To be consistent and have total control over the ball, well-surfaced and scuffed pool cue tips is what you need.
They are available in different designs, which vary from soft to medium as well as to hard but of high quality, which will have an effect on how the hit feels and the durability of the tip.
A soft pool tip involves extra pressure, which requires a bit high maintenance to keep a steady shape but will hold chalk better, making them less prone to slip.
A medium pool tip is constructed to be the best among the three with enough hold and low maintenance. A harder tip doesn’t hold chalk as well; it requires a bit high maintenance and also requires less shaping.
Most pool tips are constructed from numerous slim layers of leather that are joined and pressed together, which requires less maintenance.
There are some pool tips that are designed from a thick layer of pressed leather; they are less expensive but will need to be upgraded to a layered one.
This is because they are most likely used by some old-fashioned pool players and require high maintenance to keep the shape in the right way.
- Price Range
There are few factors that determine the price of a pool cue; these include the cost of materials, how reliable it is, its durability, engineering, and art.
Commercially, pool cues prices vary from $40 – $999; each manufacturer offers different prices depending on the quality of their materials.
For beginners, pool cues cost ranges from $40 – $200; however, you will see better quality materials for about $100.
Pool cues in the price range will be made of hard maple shaft, pro tapers, and a valuable layered tip. For the intermediate player pool cues, it cost around $200 – $400+.
This group of pool players tends to have built up a particular choice to help them take their game to the next level and would definitely want to go for a low deflection technology pool cue.
For the advanced professional pool players, they would definitely want to go for a cue with the best premium technology starting around $400; these pool cues are made with top-quality shaft, which will give them the best performance ever.
- Warranty
One-year is the least warranty you can get, so never invest in a pool cue that doesn’t come with a warranty.
The warranty only covers solid pieces that break or burst open during normal use, and you will be able to get a replacement or a repair. They don’t cover scratches, warping, or any minor fault.
To test if your pool cue is straight, hold the cue up at eye level and check the cue from the butt end, then turn the cue butt 360 degrees while continuing to look down the cue.
You will then be able to tell if the cue is straight or not.
However, if there is a movement or it looks bent, then you will need to return it. Always keep in mind to check the cue before you chalk it regardless of the brand name.
FAQs about the Best Pool Cues for Beginners
Why is it so vital to use pool cue chalk?
It is essential because it helps in enhancing the grip and increasing the tip’s friction coefficient, so when you strike a shot on a non-center hit, there won’t be a miscue.
Is it a good idea to frequently chalk up?
Basically, different players have different approaches to this.
(Although most players chalk up their cue tip after each shot.)
However, one disadvantage to this is that your table and balls accumulate extra chalk dust.
When you’re shopping for the best pool cues for beginners, you can check out the options reviewed above. Also, keep in mind the key factors to take note of in cues of high quality.
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