Pool cues
must meet certain standards for professional play.
In the game of pool, or billiards, the cue is the tool connecting you with the ball. A good cue can help make a tough shot; a crooked cue, or one that has a bad tip, can prevent you from making even simple shots. Professionals also have to worry about the specifications set by the game's governing bodies. The World Pool-Billiards Association and the Billiard Congress of America have the same requirements.
Length
Pool cues cannot be any shorter than 40 inches, but there is no maximum. Most cues you find in bars or sporting goods stores are 57 or 58 inches long. The size you choose really just depends on what you're most comfortable with. A taller player will probably prefer a slightly longer cue. Very tall people sometimes have even longer cues custom made to accommodate their longer reach.
Weight
Most cues are 18 to 21 ounces, and the weight is often written at the base of the cue, between the grip and the bottom. Professional standards set a maximum weight of 25 ounces, with no minimum. Many players prefer heavier cues when they need more power, such as during the break, but lighter cues work well for shots that require more finesse.
Tip
The point where the cue makes contact with the cue ball is perhaps the most important part of the stick. The WPA states that the very end must be made of "a piece of specially processed leather or other fibrous or pliable material" that will not scratch the ball. This is for the ball's sake--a scratched ball will not roll true and will collect chalk and dust residue--as well as for the players. A well-made tip gives you better friction so that you can make clean, sharp shots, without the cue tip sliding on the cue ball. A tip can be as wide as 14 mm, with no minimum size standard.
Ferrule
The white part of the cue pictured is the ferrule.
The piece of plastic or metal that connects the tip to the shaft of the cue is called the ferrule. The only stipulation the WPA makes about ferrules is that, if they are made of metal, they cannot be longer than an inch. Most cues are sold with plastic ferrules, however.
If You're Shopping
There really is no "best" cue; just the one that's right for you. The thickness of the shaft (usually 12 to 14 millimeters) should be comfortable for your fingers, and the weight should leave you feeling still in control but not as if you're waving around a feather. Cues that are one piece are fine for your own personal billiards room in your home, but if you're going to be taking one to competitions, a cue that comes in two pieces is preferable. Cues run the gamut when it comes to price, but any that costs more than $250 is probably of excellent quality.
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