How to Choose a Pool Cue
A billiards cue might seem like a simple piece of equipment, but it is far from it. Here are the questions you should ask yourself before you settle on a pool cue for you.
What Taper?
The shaft of a pool cue can have a different girth at different points in its length. This is called a “taper,” and it comes in a variety of styles. The most common is the standard taper (also often called the “European taper”), where the shaft gets thinner and thinner as it gets closer to the tip, and its thickest point is near the joint. The second model is called a “pro taper,” where it has the same thickness from the joint to about ten to fifteen inches up the shaft, and then starts to get smaller, until it reaches the smallest point at the tip. The shorter the taper, the harder the hit will be.
If you are buying your first pool cue or just want a solid one that should suit just about anyone, it’s smart to stick with a pool cue that offers you a taper somewhere in the twelve to fourteen inch range.
Much less commonly, there are also “double tapers,” where the shaft starts out thin at the join, gets thick in the middle, and gets thin again at the tip. These are very difficult to find and typically are only used by pros for certain tricky shots.
What Material?
Most pool cues are made out of wood, typically a hard rock maple. Hard rock maple comes in two varieties: Grade A and Grade B. Grade B has crooked grain, while Grade A has very straight grain. Because straight grained wood makes for a more solid pool cue, this material is generally preferred.
However, you can also buy pool cues that are made out of a wood that has been covered in graphite. While these sticks are more difficult to maintain, they do have the advantage of giving you a lot of solid shooting power.
What Weight?
A modern day pool cue can weigh anywhere from seventeen tow twenty one ounces. While every player has their own preferences, generally pool players prefer heavier cues for shots that require a lot of power and lighter cues for players who prefer to make shots with a lot of careful finesse. However, virtually all players can be satisfied with a pool cue that is either nineteen or twenty ounces in weight.
What Wrap?
There are four choices in wraps for cue sticks: nylon, Irish linen, leather, and no wrap. Most players prefer Irish linen, as it gives players the ability to get a nice solid grip on the cue, plus it just looks nice. Nylon wraps are typically found on cheaper cue sticks and are designed to try and look and feel just like Irish linen.
What Design?
Finally, you want a billiard cue that looks nice, right? Fortunately, there are literally hundreds of designs that you can choose from, everywhere from sparse and simple, to complex and crazy. Be sure to look at all the styles and inlays that are available and choose one that you will be happy having in your hand for years to come.