How To Test Any Cue

Here is a very simple test that any player can do with any cue, to help get a feel for how well or how poorly the given cue is designed and constructed. This test is structured for a pool table, but something similar can easily be done on a snooker table, too. Place an object ball on the center spot of a table. Now place the cue ball on the head string (or foot string), such that the two balls form a straight-in shot to the corner pocket. Next, take your stance and stroke the cue ball in to the object ball, with just enough force so that the object ball barely reaches the pocket. For this test, it is not important whether or not the object ball goes in the pocket. What is important, is for the player to remember what the cue felt like in the hands and what it sounded like to the ears. Next, set up the exact same shot and shoot towards the pocket. But this time, use a full force, break-shot speed stroke. Once again, remember what the cue felt like in the hands and what it sounded like to the ears. The cue should feel and sound exactly the same for both shots. If the cue vibrates more during the more forceful stroke, or makes any audible noises like a "tink" or a "groan", then there is a flaw in that cue's design and/or construction. For these vibrations and noises that you feel, are energy from your stroke, being wasted by the cue, which is a very undesirable trait. A good cue is designed to transmit maximum stroke energy to the cue ball, with minimum energy lost in the cue -  the soft hit and the forceful hit sound the same and feel the same. This is a most desirable trait in a pool or billiard cue. 

                                            What To Look For In A Cue

Okay, you've decided to go out and spend several hundred pounds of your hard earned money on a new cue. But what do you look for? How can you tell you are getting your money's worth? Here are a few simple tips. First and foremost, the cue must have a good solid, consistent hit. In the last section, we gave you a very simple test to check the hit. Any player can do this test with any cue.  But there are also many other things to look for in a cue, to help you determine the overall quality of the cue. In the following paragraphs, we are going to discuss just a few of the more important ones, such as balance, points and inlays, alignment and symmetry and overall finish. Proper neutral balance is extremely important in a cue. If the cue is front heavy, then weight must be added in the butt to balance the cue at the proper point. While the cue may indeed have its center of balance near or at the correct spot, there is so much mass on the ends of the cue, that it may feel heavy and awkward (something like a small barbell). Your cue should be designed for neutral balance, that is to keep the cue's mass uniformly distributed around the balance point. With respect to points and inlays,  take care to ensure their tips are very sharply formed and disappear gracefully into the base wood. Rounded tips on points and inlays should be an indication that a cuemaker decided to not spend the extra time on them. Also, hardwood points should be deep, full mitre cut points. A primary objective of the hardwood point is to strengthen and stabilize the base wood. This objective is best accomplished with deep, mitred points.  If you are paying for points and inlays, then you deserve to have them done in the proper, traditional cuemaking style. Symmetry and alignment are very important points, when evaluating the workmanship and esthetics of a cue. Here are some questions to ask when looking at a cue? Are the points evenly spaced and of a uniform height? Are the inlays in the points and butt sleeve perfectly aligned? Are the rings uniform and symmetrically positioned?  Finally, how does the finish look to you? Does the cue have a dull matted hazy finish, or does the wood simply glow with the grain and features seemingly jumping right out at you?

Follow these simple guidelines and enjoy your game - the bad workman has no need to blame his tool this time!

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                                          Information on Cues

The importance of the cue you use is of paramount importance to your game. It is the tool you use to play and to maximise your game potential you must have a cue that you are both comfortable and effective with. There are many ways in which to obtain the perfect cue, one is to trial and error with cheap versions and find one that suits you and the other is to have one custom made to suit your needs and wants. However this is very expensive and if you are not an exceptional player you will not feel the benefits as a top player would.

The cue also has to satisfy you psychologically. If you are not happy about your cue you tend to play worse than what you would if you liked it. Ray Reardon even considered retiring because he was not happy with his cue, seems somewhat drastic but the cue is so important as it has to be reliable.

                                                     What to look for in your ideal cue.

Your ideal cue is not a particular brand or a particular kind, it is one that feels good to you personally.  An expensive cue does not necessarily mean good usage so you should not spend a lot of money on a cue. Remember that a good cue will last a long time and with a good tip on it could last you for years, and it will be less likely to suffer from wear and tear if you look after it properly. However there is a selection of things which you must consider when selecting your cue.

1. Do your hands Sweat?

A: If your hands do sweat under pressure then you need a smooth cue and may need to sand your shaft with very light sandpaper to keep it smooth, so look for a cue made of very smooth wood and avoid cues that are varnished for a better finish. These cues will start to stick very quickly and it will hamper your game.

2. Do you like a light or a heavy cue?

A: If you prefer the cue to weigh down on your back hand then you should look for a heavier cue which will probably be more expensive. Perhaps you are used to playing with a lighter cue you have borrowed from the 'club'. Whatever your choice, getting used to a more heavy cue will allow you to get more cue power and you should look to getting a balance between heavy and light. But stick to what suits you best.

3. One or Two piece?

A: Basically a one piece cue will not bend as long as you have the adequate casing which is expensive. A two piece cue is more accessible and easier to maintain but the casing is cheaper and it may be a good idea to start with a two piece until you get better. If you have a one piece you have to buy a one piece case which are quite expensive.

4. Check that Tip!

Remember that you can get your tip changed or shaped so don't not buy a cue because of the tip, but you should look to put a fat tip onto your cue to get better surface area onto the cue ball for more effective spin shots. Blue diamond tips are used by the pros. They are like little sponges at first and can be manipulated to make the perfect tip. Ask at any snooker club but make sure you get the spongy type the pros use.

Good luck in buying your perfect cue. It will be worth it for your enjoyment if you take the time to use a cue that you are good with.