| Choosing a billiard cue |
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Generally speaking, choosing a cue is best determined by personal preference and style of play. Personal pool cues reflect
much of their owner's personality. Cue designs can range from artistic, to bold, to downright strange! Most billiard table
owners take a good deal of pride in their choice. All personality issues aside, there are some general guidelines one should
follow to ensure they purchase a quality cue that fits their needs.
1-piece v.s 2-piece cues: The biggest advantage 1-piece cues have over multiple piece cues is cost. Some casual players
choose 1-piece cues to supply their recreation room with sufficient cues for social gatherings. These homeowners then
usually choose a higher quality cue as their own personal cue. The biggest downfall of 1-piece cues (other than a very
generic appearance) is that they are made from one long piece of wood and thus tend to be susceptible to warping. 2-piece
cues not only offer far less susceptibility to warping, but add much more versatility when it comes to appearance.
Construction Material: This is where the line is drawn between quality cues and inferior cues. There are a few different
materials cues can be made from.
Wood: Any wooden cue worth it's weight in salt should be made from a "Hardwood" such as Maple. If the manufacturer does
not specifically list a Hardwood chances are that the cue is made of a lower quality wood and will not be a lasting investment
(BRG only offers quality hardwood cues). Some of the best cues are made from "Hard Rock Maple" or "Canadian Maple".
Fiberglass & Graphite: Some cues are start with a wooden core and are bonded with either a fiberglass or graphite sleeve.
The reasons for this are twofold. First, fiberglass and graphite are nearly immune to warping. Second, this man-made outer
sleeve provides a smoother stroke with less friction against the skin. Fiberglass and graphite cues cost a bit more, but are
usually worth every penny.
Grips: Most 2-piece cues (and some higher end 1-piece cues) will have some form of a grip to prevent your hand from
slipping up the cue on the stroke. Grips can range from a simple texture carved into the cue itself, to a nylon or linen wrap.
The highest quality cues use an 'Irish Linen" wrap. Wraps will not "make or break" a cue though most people tend to prefer
either a nylon or linen wrap.
Joints: The key here is durability. Any quality cue will have some type of metal (such as brass, stainless steel, or titanium) or
implex joint (all BRG cues use these types of joints) Low quality cues will use plastics or other similar material for joints.
STAY AWAY FROM THESE CUES! Joints are crucial to the quality of a cue and should ALWAYS be made of a type of metal.
Tips: Tips should be made of a soft material to ensure a good grip on the cue-ball. Most quality cues will utilize a leather tip.
The highest quality cues use "Le Professional" tips.
much of their owner's personality. Cue designs can range from artistic, to bold, to downright strange! Most billiard table
owners take a good deal of pride in their choice. All personality issues aside, there are some general guidelines one should
follow to ensure they purchase a quality cue that fits their needs.
1-piece v.s 2-piece cues: The biggest advantage 1-piece cues have over multiple piece cues is cost. Some casual players
choose 1-piece cues to supply their recreation room with sufficient cues for social gatherings. These homeowners then
usually choose a higher quality cue as their own personal cue. The biggest downfall of 1-piece cues (other than a very
generic appearance) is that they are made from one long piece of wood and thus tend to be susceptible to warping. 2-piece
cues not only offer far less susceptibility to warping, but add much more versatility when it comes to appearance.
Construction Material: This is where the line is drawn between quality cues and inferior cues. There are a few different
materials cues can be made from.
Wood: Any wooden cue worth it's weight in salt should be made from a "Hardwood" such as Maple. If the manufacturer does
not specifically list a Hardwood chances are that the cue is made of a lower quality wood and will not be a lasting investment
(BRG only offers quality hardwood cues). Some of the best cues are made from "Hard Rock Maple" or "Canadian Maple".
Fiberglass & Graphite: Some cues are start with a wooden core and are bonded with either a fiberglass or graphite sleeve.
The reasons for this are twofold. First, fiberglass and graphite are nearly immune to warping. Second, this man-made outer
sleeve provides a smoother stroke with less friction against the skin. Fiberglass and graphite cues cost a bit more, but are
usually worth every penny.
Grips: Most 2-piece cues (and some higher end 1-piece cues) will have some form of a grip to prevent your hand from
slipping up the cue on the stroke. Grips can range from a simple texture carved into the cue itself, to a nylon or linen wrap.
The highest quality cues use an 'Irish Linen" wrap. Wraps will not "make or break" a cue though most people tend to prefer
either a nylon or linen wrap.
Joints: The key here is durability. Any quality cue will have some type of metal (such as brass, stainless steel, or titanium) or
implex joint (all BRG cues use these types of joints) Low quality cues will use plastics or other similar material for joints.
STAY AWAY FROM THESE CUES! Joints are crucial to the quality of a cue and should ALWAYS be made of a type of metal.
Tips: Tips should be made of a soft material to ensure a good grip on the cue-ball. Most quality cues will utilize a leather tip.
The highest quality cues use "Le Professional" tips.
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| Anatomy Of A Billiard Cue |
