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Have you ever gone to buy a pool cue and realized they were super expensive? Maybe you are just starting off and you bought a used pool table but it didn’t come with cue sticks.
How expensive can a couple of pieces of wood be right? And then you went to the store (or online) and got massive sticker shock!
Well, in this article we will go over everything you need to know about pool cues and why they are so expensive as well as where you can find some cheaper ones.
So why are pool cues so expensive?
Pool cues are quite expensive because of the materials that are used to make them as well as the detail that goes into them. This is why almost every single good pool cue is expensive.
If you want to know more about pool cues and why they are so expensive, you will want to keep reading. You can also check out this video to see exactly how pool cues are made.
If you are looking to get better at playing pool one of the best ways to do that is by upgrading your pool cue. One of my favorite cues is the Viking Valhalla. It is available in a variety of colors and won’t break the bank. You can find it by clicking here.
Are Expensive Pool Cues Worth The Money?
All of the different additions make a lot of changes and differences in how a pool cue operates. If it is worth the money or not is a good question.
The sheer craftsmanship that goes into building each one of these masterpieces called a pool cue surely proves the point that they are worth the money. On top of just the craftsmanship though there is also the quality of the cue stick you get and the feel of the stick that you get.
Expensive pool cues vs cheap pool cues are like an Armani shirt and a t-shirt from Goodwill. They will both get the job done, but the more expensive one feels better, looks better, works better, and can make you more money because you play better.
Each part of the pool cue is important in maintaining its functionality although their apparent beauty is a matter of genius as well.
This is why it is easily seen that this simple instrument is priced so high when made with specifications of exacting qualities. The tip of the pool cue as well as the shaft construction and ferrule presence and activation are important for the transfer of energy along the length of the cue.
A badly constructed shaft or tip will cause warping or even cracking in the cue stick at the worst time possible.
This is why it goes without saying that a good pool cue will be expensive both in matters of its looks and on the matters of its functionality. A pool cue may break but a good one may break only after it has seen a lot of matches.
A good pool cue will work wonders for someone who is both a professional and a beginner so long as they know how to use it.
If you have a pool table then you need to get this accessory kit. It includes pool cues, extra pool balls, and all the gear you need to keep your pool table in tip-top shape.
If you are tired of your kids (or friends) ruining your good pool cue when they play then having these extra ones will keep that from happening (just be sure to hide your good one!).
Important Parts Of A Pool Cue
A pool cue is made of three important parts. They are the shaft, the butt, and the tip. The shafts are made of hard rock maple wood while butts may be made of ebony, African Blackwood, Zebrawood, snakewood, cocobolo, or bocote.
Hard rock maple is used invariably due to its strength and durability. Butts may even be made of bloodwood, black ash, purpleheart and black maple, or similar exotic woods that make the butt look good and beautiful.
The tip could be said to be the most important part of a pool cue as this is the most functional part of the cue. The tip is the most important part as this is the only part of the cue that touches the cue ball.
Expensive tips are usually made of leather with different hardness. Medium hard is the best for any kind of gameplay. Tips that have been specially made for breaking though are made from hard phenolic resin to execute the most force.
A variation in tip quality can entirely tip the game one way or another.
Other parts of the cue that are important are the ferrules and the forearm. Ferrules sit between the tip and the shaft and are important for protecting the whole of the shaft from outer and inner damage.
Without good ferrules made out of high-impact resin or carbon fiber, expensive pool cues will not last very long. This is because they need the particular function of absorbing the impact from the cue tip.
The forearm of the pool cue is more a matter of decoration with inlays of different materials that give a cue its distinctive look after all. A forearm may be adorned with Pink Asian coral, blue sapphire, cobalt, turquoise, pearls, blue denim, colored urethanes, and pewter as well as brass.
The more expensive the cue will be the more intricate the inlays on the forearm and butt of the shaft will be.
Then there is the matter of the low-deflection shaft. Most of the high-end pool cues will have a low-deflection shaft as they are better to use as attested by professionals and beginners alike.
Low deflection shafts have a more accurate ability to hold in the angle change on the cue ball due to the force or use of the pool cue. They are able to lessen the impact of the unrequired angle change due to the pool cue.
Last but not least comes the wraps. The wraps are the material in which the pool cues are packed in delicately for travel. Usually made out of leather, they can be made out of snake leather, elephant ear leather, gator leather, chocolate leather, lizard leather, taupe leather, and even more.
This is entirely up to the design of the person buying the cue and what they want it to look like and be made from.
What Is The Game Of Pool?
Pool is one of the classifications of cue sports where there are six pockets within the rails. The object of the game is to use the balls to fill up the pockets after appropriate strikes with a cue.
There are 16 balls in total including the cue ball. That makes for 15 target balls and one ball (the cue ball) to hit those 15 balls into the pockets.
Pool has been in existence for centuries with very strict rules. Pool recently began branching off into different kinds of pool games with varied restrictions and sets of rules to follow.
Pool is a rather tricky game and all the components of the game are made by the table. The table has to be completely level. The pool cue is made with different variations and ornaments.
Lastly, the balls with which to score the game. Outside of the pool table itself, the pool cues are the most expensive part of the game. Pool cues may be as expensive as $100,000 or as little as $100. It all depends on the pool cues design and if they have ever been used.
Conclusion
Now that you know why pool cues are so expensive, you can decide for yourself what pool cue you are interested in, and which one will work best for you.
You can also purchase a cheaper pool cue if you are just playing at your house and you are in need of some cheap pool cues. They will still be sturdy, but not the professional quality cues.
If you are looking for a middle-of-the-road cue stick, then you can purchase those as well. They will have a lot of the higher quality materials, but will not quite be the same quality as the cues that a professional uses.
No matter what pool cue you have, the important thing is to have fun and enjoy playing the game.
Related Posts:
- 5 Best Budget Pool Cues (Best Options Under $150)
- Are Pool Cue Shafts Interchangeable?
- Can Pool Cues Be Straightened?
- Are Pool And Snooker Cues The Same?
- Do Pool Cues Come With Tips?
- Are Pool Cues Allowed On Airplanes?
- Do Pool Cues Tips Dry Out?
- What Pool Cue Weight Should You Use?
- Why Is Pool Chalk Blue?
FAQs
What is the most expensive pool cue you can buy? ›
The McDermott Intimidator Masterpiece Cue - $150,000. Owning the most expensive playable pool cue in the world will set you back about $150,000. The Intimidator, like all great art, lives up to its name.
Who makes the best pool cues in the world? ›Lucasi is one of the top pool cue brands in the market. This pool cue has received a lot of praise for its attention to detail and high-tech design, which has helped players improve their game.
What is the best pool cue to buy? ›- High-End Pool Cues.
- Sport Pool Cues.
- P3 Pool Cues.
- Revo Pool Cue.
- BK Rush Break Cues.
- Air Rush Jump Cues.
THE CHOICE OF CHAMPIONS. PROFESSIONAL billiard players TRUST their game to Predator more than any other brand, including many WORLD CHAMPIONS ★ and top ranked players.
Is a lighter or heavier cue better? ›Considering physics and the persistence effect (inertia), a heavier cue is going to increase the effect of any errors made than a more responsive lighter cue. You will have more control with a cue weighted between 17 to 18 ounces.
Should I buy a soft or hard cue tip? ›If you're the type of player that likes to work the cue ball around the pool table, then a soft tip is what you should play with. Unfortunately, though, softer tips tend to "mushroom" and need maintenance more frequently. Medium Hard Tips - are the most commonly used type of cue tip.
Are McDermott cues made in China? ›Manufactured in Menomonee Falls, WI, McDermott cues are known for quality construction, exotic woods, intricate inlays and limitless customization options. Proudly made in the U.S.A., these cues are covered by a lifetime warranty (including warpage), as well as McDermott's lifetime maintenance plan.
What weight cue do pros use? ›Q: So, which pool cues should I consider? What is the standard cue weight? A: The pros use cues which weigh 19 to 19.5 ounces. Available pool sticks range from a low of about 15 to as much as 27 ounces, an extra half-pound over the pro cue.
What size cue tip do pros use? ›The most frequent sizes of cue tips are 12mm, 13mm, and 14mm.
How much should you spend on a pool cue? ›So to answer your question: the sky's the limit, however, for someone just starting out a good price range is between $100-$150. Pool cues are made up of two main pieces: the butt and the shaft. As you might have guessed the base or larger end of the cue is the butt, and the tapered end is referred to as the shaft.
What is a decent pool cue? ›
Most adult players will be best suited to a standard-length 57-inch cue, although a 48-inch cue is also perfectly good for most adults and older children. If they travel to play, then a 2-piece or 3-piece cue might be ideal. But if they play at home, a 1-piece could be the best.
What makes an expensive pool cue? ›When it comes to cost of materials, the shaft portion of the cue is what typically makes the difference. Carbon fiber will be more expensive than any other material. But, there are also pool cues made with exotic woods that can be intricately shaped and carved, and placed in the butt of the cue.
How often should you change your cue tip? ›When your cue's leather tip wears down to the thickness of a dime it's time to replace the tip. If you continue to use a cue stick that has a worn-down tip you increase your chances of miscuing. A miscue is when your cue tip slips off the cueball and digs into the billiard cloth or felt as it's called.
What is the best shaft size for a pool cue? ›Shaft diameters typically range from 12 mm to 13 mm. While this is a small range, shaft sizes increase by 1/4 mm increments because even 1/4 mm can greatly affect hand comfort when playing. The most important factor to take into consideration when choosing your pool cue shaft diameter as a new player is your hand size.
What is the best tip size for a pool cue? ›Generally speaking most pool players prefer and 8mm to 8.5mm tip for a 1 & 7/8 pool cue ball, and most snooker players prefer a 9.5mm to 10mm tip for a full size 2 1/16 snooker cue ball. American pool uses an even bigger cue ball so the tip sizes are normally between 12.5 mm and 13.5mm.
What is the best cue tip shape? ›Therefore, a rounded tip is better than a flat tip. You shape the tip with a tip scuffer, a file, a piece of sandpaper, and other similar abrasive tools. Most players like their tips rounded with the radius of either a nickel or a dime; a coin can be held next to the tip for reference.
What is the hardest cue tip? ›- SAMSARA JUMP – 86.0.
- BLACK DIAMOND – 81.0.
- SUPERPRO – 81.0.
- WB USA – 77.0.
- BLUE ELF – 76.0.
- LePRO – 74.5.
- TALISMAN – (M) 70.5.
- TAD – (M) 75.0.
Phenolic tips are among some of the most popular billiard cue tips for breaking as they can transfer the most power to the cue ball and require almost no maintenance.
What cue ball do professionals use? ›The Aramith Pro Cup Cue Ball features: Official standard size 2 1/4" Made out of the most advanced Aramith Pro-Cup phenolic resin. Used worldwide in virtually all official tournaments.
What type of cue tip is best for English? ›If you are looking for the best pool cue tip for english or draw, the Predator Victory billiard tip is the right cue tip for your pool stick.
Does it matter where you hit the cue ball? ›
Hitting on the vertical center line is the only way to make the cue ball roll straight. Dead center represents the intersection of the vertical and horizontal axis. Hitting below this point will cause back spin or a skidding cue ball, while the center of percussion will provide a true roll at contact.
Where are Tiger cues made? ›Tiger Products, are made at our 6500sq ft. manufacturing plant located Burbank, Ca. Yes, Tiger Products are manufactured right here in the USA! At Tiger, we specialize in innovation and technology and our facility is truly state of the art!
Where is Meucci cues made? ›In Byhalia, Mississippi the old world craftsmanship is still alive and well. For half a century, Meucci has been celebrated for building the most beautiful pool cues on the market and making their works of art perform with more power with less effort.
What pool cues are made in Japan? ›- ACE 2. AVANT. AYA. CP-21. MD. MPC3.
- Predator Aspire. Predator Sneaky Pete.
- Pool Longoni Accessories.
- Carom - Longoni. Carom - Mezz.
Tip: 12.5mm Ultra Skin Medium tip. Shaft: The Pro Shaft - Hard rock maple shaft (29" long). 14" pro taper. Shaft collar is black with silver train track rings.
What weight cue does Jayson Shaw use? ›Meucci Jayson Shaw 1 JS-1 Cue
weights from 17 to 19 1/2 ounces reccomended.
Although you do have to reshape the tip just a little once every week or two. I have had this tip a little over a month and looks like it should last 7 months to a year.
Are leather cue tips good? ›Solid leather tips have many good qualities that a lot of players like. These tips are generally inexpensive and they give a very distinct solid hit when striking the cue ball.
What is the average cue size? ›Cues are tapered sticks, typically about 57–59 inches (about 1.5 m) long and usually between 16 and 21 ounces (450–600 g), with professionals gravitating toward a 19-ounce (540 g) average.
Does a pool increase home value? ›One HouseLogic study suggests an increase of 7 percent, at most, under ideal conditions, while HGTV reports that the average in-ground pool can up your property's value by 5 to 8 percent.
Does the weight of a pool cue matter? ›
A heavier cue will tend to create more CB speed for a given stroke effort. A heavier cue might also be easier for some to keep on line during the stroke, but this is a very individual thing. More weight can also help prevent stroke deceleration.
Does a nice pool cue make a difference? ›If by chance you wish to up your pool/billiards/snooker game, you might want to consider buying your cue. Can a cue make a difference? Absolutely. As is the case with other activities such as bowling, golf, frisbees and darts, using better equipment will usually result in more proficiency at the designated game.
When did they stop using ivory in pool cues? ›The Search for New Pool Balls
Ivory pool balls were made from the 17th century, although there were still ivories in 1875 until 1920.
How frequently should a player add chalk? The answer can vary from player to player, but generally players chalk up after every other shot.
Can you hit the cue ball twice? ›3.23 FOULS BY DOUBLE HITS
If the cue stick strikes the cue ball more than once on a shot, or if the cue stick is in contact with the cue ball when or after the cue ball contacts an object ball, the shot is a foul.
As per the 8 ball pool rules, the white ball can be moved freely anywhere on the table (behind the headstring) during the break shot. After playing the break shot, the players cannot move the cue ball at their convenience, except in some instances.
What is the most common pool cue length? ›If you are mostly playing an eight-ball pool game, the stick you would generally use is about 1.39 to 1.44 metres or 55-57 inches. Some manufacturers provide up to 58 inches. Professional players opt for between 56 and 57-inch cues because they believe these are the perfect sizes for the cue ball.
Is 13mm cue tip good? ›13 mm Diameter Shaft Tip:
This size tip will help you to pocket balls really well. Getting good English with a 13mm shaft will be a little more difficult if you don't already have a really good pool cue stroke.
Shorter driver shafts make it easier to hit solid shots
Typically, the closer you stand to the ball, the easier it is hit the ball solidly off the center of the clubface.
The average length is 57 – 59 inches for most cues. Cues usually weigh 18 – 21 ounces. For a beginner, we would recommend about 20 ounces.
Are screw on pool cue tips any good? ›
The answer to the question Are screw-on cue tips good for playing pool? is no. They do not play as well as a fixed pool cue tip.
How much does a balabushka cost? ›| Product | Our Price |
|---|---|
| Balabushka GB-24 Pool Cue Out of Stock | $553.50 |
| Balabushka GB-25 Pool Cue | $589.50 |
| Balabushka GB-26 Pool Cue | $612.00 |
| Balabushka GB-GS Pool Cue Gus Szamboti Era | $1,008.00 |
The Supreme Cue is the best cue in the game, with every pool skill only one or two bars away from max. Costing 1k Cash, this cue will set the player back a fair bit in real-life money unless they have been playing the long game and saving up the free Cash offered by the game on the home screen.
What is the heaviest break cue? ›The Elite "Heavy" Break Cue is the answer. This breaker generates power through its massive weight. The Heavy weighs in at approximately 27oz, making it one of the heaviest breakers on the market.
What pool cue did Tom Cruise use in color of money? ›The cue in the film is not a Balabushka as Vincent (Tom Cruise) states, but rather a beautiful Joss cue. Classic in design, this cue features figured Flame Birch with Ebony Points in the forearm and ebony and mother of pearl inlays with ivorine inlays in the butt cap. This cue is truly a classic.
What kind of pool cue did Paul Newman use in the color of money? ›THE POOL CUE USED WASN'T A BALABUSHKA.
Eddie and Vincent were both lying to themselves; their cue was a Joss N7 model.
While professional billiards players tend to use pool sticks that weigh about 19 ounces, it is a better idea for beginners to use pool sticks that are a bit lighter (around 15 ounces) while they are still learning how to pocket those tough shots with ease.
How to get legendary cue for free? ›Yes you can…. If you have 8 ball pool cash then you can buy surprise boxes and open them you will get legendary cue pieces …. once you got the 4 pieces of the same cue you will get a legendary cue.
What weight cue do most pros use? ›Q: So, which pool cues should I consider? What is the standard cue weight? A: The pros use cues which weigh 19 to 19.5 ounces. Available pool sticks range from a low of about 15 to as much as 27 ounces, an extra half-pound over the pro cue.
What cue tips do most pros use? ›Medium-hard tips
This is the most common cue tip, and it gives players a good balance of cue ball control and consistency. Medium-hard tips also require less maintenance than soft tips.
What length cue do pros use? ›
Length – Most players use 57″- 59″ with 58″ being the most popular. This can only be a rough guide to length, the reason being it's not just height that has to be taken into consideration to find a suitable length of cue.