Pool Cues - Recognizing the Gizmos of the Trade

By Athena Hunter


Most pool players buy a nice pool cue based on price and aesthetics - or, how nice it looks. These considerations are understandable. But there are a lot of things to consider when you want to choose a good pool cue. The most important factors should not be how nice it looks when you want a cue that is good quality and will perform well for you. Where you live and the conditions where your cue will be stored also need to taken into consideration. Cues can be made from different materials, some of which stand up to high temperatures and humidity better than others. The following information will go over other important aspects of pool cues.

There are three key kinds of snooker and pool cues. To start with, every kind measures at around 57 inches in the complete length. The most primitive type of cue used in these two games is the regular one-piece cue. This is what you normally hit upon in pool halls and pubs. The taper, from the butt end to the tip, is flat and even for the entire length. Then there is the common breakdown or two-piece cue which unscrews in the center of the cue. The breakdown attribute makes it simple to transport and carry around. The last type is mainly used by snooker players, and it is a variation of the two-piece cue. The snooker cue breaks down quite close to the butt end of the cue, in the region of 12 to 16 inches from the end.

You can see a variety of types of pool cues which are rightfully referred to as specialty cues. These types of cues are made for performing different kinds of shots. It only stands to reason that these specialty cues will be crafted in accordance to certain benchmarks and characteristics. For example, the pool break cue will have a tip that is constructed from hard leather, and the tip will be very thin. At times, the substance utilized for the tip is phenolic resin, as a replacement for leather. The intention for having a hard tip is to make certain that as much vigor is handed over from your arm motion and cue to the break ball.

High quality pool cues are usually constructed from hard rock maple wood that has straight grains in it. This wood is used most often to make the shaft of the pool cue. On the other hand, the snooker cue is different in that they are typically made from ash wood.

That's how they're made most of the time but not always. High quality is determined in part by the materials used for the butt of the cue. You will also find cues that have highly artistic designs in them. There are cues available that are not meant to be used but simply displayed as collector's items.

There are many reasons pool cues are fascinating. There are several books and historical studies available that are devoted to the pool cue. Learning everything you can about pool cues will help you improve your game and help you become the best player you can.




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