Legends Sports Bar Utah
Most people start playing pool in a bar or around a friend’s house. There, they usually use whatever cue stick is lying around without much concern about the quality or sizing of the stick. At first this is totally fine, however as players become more advanced, they start to realize how important a cue is to their style and skill at play. Just like in baseball, one’s own glove is very important to playing the game, and so with billiards, having the right cue is vital to playing well. However, if you’ve never purchased a cue or any other billiard accessory, you may not know what to do when you’re shopping. Here are some billiard cue basics to help you along.
A cue has three basic components – the shaft, the tip, and the grip. These areas can be broken down further, but for now, let’s keep things simple. The grip is where your hand grips and moves the cue. The shaft is the length of the cue that will strike the ball. And the tip is what actually hits the ball. Most cheap cues have these as a single piece, but nicer and more expensive cues have each piece separate so that you can customize the cue and repair each component as needed.
The basic thing you need to have when purchasing a cue is the right feel. Every person is a different size and every person likes a different feel to his or her cue. Firstly, a cue needs to be the right size. As can be imagined cues are smaller for smaller people and larger for larger people. Try to get a sense of the how the cue balances in your hand. Does it feel like you could snap it in half? Or does it feel like a ladder in your hand? These might be extreme examples, but when the size is off, the cue will feel either like a twig or a tree. Secondly, cues are made with different materials so the weight feels much different for each type of wood. Make sure you hand your cue a lot before you purchase to ensure that it feels right. Any bad feelings will definitely be noticed in the long run.
Aside from the construction, there’s also the deconstruction. Different cues will break down into two or three pieces and each requires a different type of case. This shouldn’t affect the playing style, but when it comes to transporting your cue, this aspect should be comfortable as well.
Alex Sutton lives in San Diego with his wife and two kids. For more information please visit billiard cues.
