Cue Sticks Buying Guide - Tips on choosing the right pool cue

When shopping for cue sticks , the first thing to establish is your skill level - like many things in life, a pool cue is only as good as the person using it.

Cues for Beginners

For beginners and novices, you will want to stick with inexpensive pool cues between $50 - $150. Although pool champion Jim Rempe once supposedly beat players with a mop handle (!), you don't want to go too low with the price. Super cheap cues tend to have basic problems such as straightness and finish, not to even mention issues with durability. A good, basic starter cue will set you back $50.

The parts of a cue stick - and how they affect cost

All billiard players should be familiar with the parts of a cue. First, starting from the gripping end, you have the butt of the cue which is the heaviest part. Continuing upwards you have the shaft, and then finally the tip. The most important part of a cue is the shaft. Some will argue the tip is more important, but regardless both of these pieces of the stick are relatively inexpensive compared to the butt.

Why is this important? Keep in mind that when you are buying a cue , you are most likely paying for fancy artwork, wrapping, and finish on the butt of the cue along with the brand name. Ironically, there are some expensive cue stick manufacturers who make bad shafts.

Instructional pool author George Fels once said, "Only the first 10 inches or so of a cue have any real effect on how the cue ball is struck, yet virtually all of the money we pay is for the other four feet."

We've put together this pool cue buying guide to help you select a cue that matches your skill level and budget.

Cues for Intermediate to Advanced Players

A good cue stick for intermediate to advanced players will cost an average of $300. The overall trend today with professionals is towards lighter billiard cues, so the weight of your cue should be between 18-21 ounces with the shaft diameter approximately 13 mm. Match the overall length of the stick to your arm - the longer your arm, the longer your cue stick should be. Ask a billiard retailer for their recommendations on length.

Break cues and other special cues

Beyond normal playing cues, you may want to consider a separate cue for breaking. Breaking can shorten the lifespan of your cue, so buying a special break cue will minimize wear and tear. You may even want to consider buying cues for special shots such as jumping.

Wood Cues vs. Graphite and Fiberglass Cues

There is a general consensus that wood billiard cues are better than graphite and fiberglass cues, although for casual players this will probably not be an issue. Overall, wooden cues have a better feel to them (better feedback, not as sticky as fiberglass and graphite cues). Be aware that all cues will require a certain amount of maintenance -- wood cues being susceptible to dents and moisture.

However, nearly all long-time and professional pool players will swear by wooden cues. They are of course more sensitive to the weight, feel, and balance of a cue - but for the casual pool player, it's folly to go overboard and buy a thousand dollar stick.

Overall, "stick" with something that meets your budget, style, and seriousness to the game - this is what is most important when buying a cue stick online.