Budget
Price is likely going to be a primary factor when buying your first pool cue or when upgrading to something better. Just as when buying golf clubs, a baseball bat or any other piece of sports equipment, your budget and your level of engagement often dictate what you buy. Simply looking to shoot some friendly games of billiards with friends and family at home? You might not be able to justify spending hundreds of dollars on a pool cue. But if you're interested in being more competitive with leagues and tournaments, that extra cost probably makes sense to you.
The good news is that regardless of how much you hope to spend or how enthusiastic you are, you can still walk away with a quality cue stick that will help you enjoy the game even more.
FCI Billiards sells the best pool cue brands in the industry, and you can get started with a good cue for less than $60. Ready to take the next step? We carry cues for all levels of player.
Two-Piece or One?
Next, you'll want to decide if you want a two-piece cue or a one-piece. This is mostly for convenience and personal preference, as a two-piece stick is easier to take with you if you plan to play at different venues or in a league. But if you're just going to play at home on your own table, a one-piece pool cue is completely acceptable. Keep in mind that since it's typical for more serious players to travel from table to table, many of the better billiard cues for sale are of the two-piece variety.
Length and Weight
Standard cue sticks are 58 inches long and are suitable for adults from 5-foot-8 to 6-foot-5. Taller players may choose a longer cue up to 61 inches. Kids and shorter adults should use a pool cue between 48 and 52 inches long.
As for weight, a typical standard is 19 ounces, although a beginner may benefit from a pool cue that weighs as little as 15 ounces.
The most important thing is that a billiard cue's length and weight feel comfortable to you. You want to control the stick with enough mass and reach to make any shot on the table
Wraps
Wraps (or grips) add style and comfort to the back end of the cue stick where your back hand grips the cue. Wraps can be crafted from various materials including nylon, Irish linen, leather, rubber, silicone or plain polished wood.
Tips
The tip of a pool cue is obviously important since it is what makes contact with the ball and affects the impact. Advanced players often prefer a smaller diameter tip, which allows them to fine-tune their shots with precision. Beginners and casual players should opt for a larger diameter, which provides more margin of error when striking the ball. Tips also come in different levels of hardness, which affects how the tip strikes the cue ball. General players are best off choosing a medium tip as it is a good overall tip for most game situations.
Don't Discount the Visuals
Let's face it. There's just a cool factor that accompanies a really nice pool cue. Players very easily become attached to their cues, and a good-looking piece of equipment can have an intangible effect on how one plays the game. Serious players want to show their passion for the sport, so an engraved cue with creative designs is a great way to express their individuality in a league or large tournament.
