Choosing of snooker cue

[Gary Fong]

Hi,

Just like to know what are the considerations when purchasing a snooker cue?

For me, I would like to hold the actual cue and try out before making the purchase, so custom build cues are not really for me.

Just like to how others choose their cue. e.g length is base on your height? butt size? tip size? no of arrows on shaft?

Thanks in advance for replying to me!

[Leo]

Hi,

Just like to know what are the considerations when purchasing a snooker cue?

For me, I would like to hold the actual cue and try out before making the purchase, so custom build cues are not really for me.

Just like to how others choose their cue. e.g length is base on your height? butt size? tip size? no of arrows on shaft?

Thanks in advance for replying to me!

i will normally take a gamble when buying a cue, if i play well with a peradon i will use one, one thing i dont do is follow the crowd and go out spend hundreds on a cue that 1 its a rip off and 2 price dont effect the way i play.

i got a good deal on a gbl off a guy and paid around 250 for it and that plays superb

[jack_dougles]

Hi,

Just like to know what are the considerations when purchasing a snooker cue?

For me, I would like to hold the actual cue and try out before making the purchase, so custom build cues are not really for me.

Just like to how others choose their cue. e.g length is base on your height? butt size? tip size? no of arrows on shaft?

Thanks in advance for replying to me!

whats your location, if you are close to a snooker store or club, ideally one with a table, go down and try a few out and see what feels comfortable, don't like leo says get caught up in dearer the cue the better because its not true, lot of good cue makers out there not charging the earth, most important part of the cue in my humble opinion is the tip and the but, if you don't have a good tip on then wont matter what cue you have wont be able to play the shots, and if the but is right will feel comfortable in the hand, after that a lot of it is purely cosmetic, eg how many arrows/chevrons, type of woods and splices is all a personel choice, and if just starting out a lot easier to find a cue, im a real fuss pot lol, happy hunting, as I say just my own ideas on cue buying but may help

[Gary Fong]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm located in Singapore. However I'm flying over to Hongkong and will be purchasing a snooker cue from there. So like to do more research before flying over.

[Izzyfcuk]

A lot goes into choosing a cue really, but also if you're just starting out then it doesn't matter actually, most important is feel.

Length of cue depends on a few factors,

1. Length of your arms
2. Your setup - stance, bridge arm etc

Generally people associate weight = power but that's not true, cue 17 - 17.5oz by far provides the best feedback.

PM me when you have 10 posts.

[bradwight]

Couldn't agree more with some of the good advice above.

I play with a relatively light cue and have no problem generating cue power, all down to good coaching and a decent tip.

The point regarding tips is dead on too. I always liken cue tips to the cars on a tyre; if you want top class grip and control then you need a good tyre. Same applies with cue tips, try a few until you find one that's right for you. I play pool with the softest Elkmasters I can find but it's entirely personal choice and only you will know what's right for your game.

At the end of the day, the cue itself is a tapered wooden stick with a tip glued on... Find one that feels good and that you're comfortable playing with. Whether you're interested in having a good looking cue is down to yourself but I'd rather have an old unbadged club cue that helps me to play to the best of my ability than a fantastic multi-spliced £1000 cue that I can't pot a ball with.

Hope you find a cue you like as that's all that matters at the end of the day!

[Gary Fong]

I've heard that England made cues (e.g JP, TW or even other well known brands) are rather thick in size. Butt size 30mm tip size 10mm. If I were to purchase a cue and have it taper down to a slimmer one, does it affect the performance of the cue?

Anyway, I'm currently using a Phoenix Unity Cue. Butt size is 29.5mm and tip size is 9.5mm. I was looking through some website and their stock size is mostly larger than mine. So I was thinking of buying and having it taper down.

[jack_dougles]

I've heard that England made cues (e.g JP, TW or even other well known brands) are rather thick in size. Butt size 30mm tip size 10mm. If I were to purchase a cue and have it taper down to a slimmer one, does it affect the performance of the cue?

Anyway, I'm currently using a Phoenix Unity Cue. Butt size is 29.5mm and tip size is 9.5mm. I was looking through some website and their stock size is mostly larger than mine. So I was thinking of buying and having it taper down.

if you start tapering a cue main thing it can affect is the flex of the shaft ie thinner taper is likely to be whippier whilst a thicker taper would be stiffer(not always the case) but that I think would be main thing
how are you playing with the phoeinix I have heard good reports about them although not used one myself, I think the master cues have a thinner but on them and sure a lot of cue makers offer thinner than ten mil tip but again has people have stated purely what you feel best with.
not sure what level you are at ability wise yet but maybe worth sticking with the phoenix for time being and if not improving maybe try a bit of coaching then maybe look at cues
happy hunting

[DeanH]

I've heard that England made cues (e.g JP, TW or even other well known brands) are rather thick in size. Butt size 30mm tip size 10mm.

Most modern cues, even from British makers, will be around what you are looking for, i.e 9.5mm ferrule and 29-29.5 butt so you probably wont need do any slimming down.

[jlowap]

Get onto mike wooldridge cues website handmadecues.com and have a read all about cue specs. It will give you an idea on what to think about. I absolutely love mikes attitude toward cues and players. It's a very entertaining read at times

[ClutchShooter]

there is plenty of good dealers in HK