Billiards/Snooker knowledge
Tips For Buying a Billiard Cue
Tips For Buying a Billiard Cue
The billiard cue is a piece of equipment that is indispensable in snooker, pool, and carom billiards. It is a tapered stick that ranges in length from 57 to 59 inches and weighs between 16 and 21 ounces, with professional cues tending to be closer to the 19-ounce average. Here are some tips for buying a cue. Read on to learn more about billiard cues.
A billiard cue with a significantly reduced mass at its tip end is particularly useful in preventing buckling and deflection. A hollow shaft extending a certain distance from the tip end can help reduce this material weight. This means the tip of the billiard cue will remain in contact with the ball even after impact. However, cues with a reduced mass at the tip end can still benefit from further improvements.
One of the best things about a quality cue is the material. Most cues are made from maple or ash wood, which are lightweight compared to their heavier counterparts. Additionally, they are stiffer than their equivalents in other billiard disciplines. The splice is a significant stylistic feature. Modern cue-making techniques allow the use of machine-made splices. Still, hand-spliced cues can offer the same quality as machine-spliced ones, since a craftsman's hand finishes each one individually. Careful use and preservation of a good cue can give you decades of great gameplay.
The tip is an important part of a cue and can be replaced, as can the butt. Tips affect the play of the cue much more than the butt. Shafts are cheap, but you should be wary of some highly-regarded cue makers who create billiard cues that have insufficient tips or shafts. A quick test to measure the amount of "squirt" a cue produces on extreme english shots is helpful. Depending on how much squirt a cue produces, a backhand english may be appropriate. The backhand english helps you get side spin on the cue ball when you hit it.
Most billiard cues have standard tips, but there are some differences in size and hardness. You can purchase a cue with a different tip style or choose a different weight. Most billiard cues are fitted with a glue-on tip, and this tends to be a great choice for those serious about their game. Some cheaper cues, however, feature screw-on tips that make replacing them a breeze. These are better for use in pubs where cues are communal.
Many collector cues are expensive, and are considered collectibles. Many of these models can easily reach 100K in price. However, this type of cue is limited in nature and has less to do with performance quality than with aesthetics. Nevertheless, you can still customize a cue to meet your own personal style. So, be prepared to shell out big bucks for your billiard cue. And be sure to keep it out of the reach of children!
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