recommend a pool cue?

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eLiu

Diamond Member
Jun 4, 2001
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I'd like to pick up a pool cue and any other related accessories (tips? chalk? etc). I don't want to spend a ton of money (like $50 max? i dunno). The reason being that there are a few places to play pool on campus w/decent tables but they universally have shitty cues (almost always don't even have tips--just exposed/splintered wood or plastic).

Can I just buy the cheapest thing on amazon? I'm not awesome at pool by any measure but I'd like to practice/get better, so I don't want a piece of garbage.

What can ATOT suggest? I don't even know what features/characteristics to care about, if any.
 

rivan

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2003
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Get a wood 2-piece with a case, and at that price point I don't think it'll matter much.

Get a few tips, tip chalk, a tip shaper and bag chalk (for your hands) if you want it.

With quick searching, this doesn't look bad.
 
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lytalbayre

Senior member
Apr 28, 2005
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Yeah, the $50 mark won't get you much. I would make sure you get the weight your most comfortable with.... go to a pool hall and play a few games with different weight cues until you find one you think you like.

a $50 stick will be good enough to learn on. If you get better and actually want to pursue pool, spending ~$150-$200 on a decent stick is about average. Though they have really nice cues that go way beyond that price point...
 

Doublejr

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Jul 25, 2004
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Most cues do not come with a case. The case you linked can be had for a around $5 for a soft side if you do not need the cuetech branded one.
 

eLiu

Diamond Member
Jun 4, 2001
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Ok, thanks for the suggestions guys. What precisely is the difference between a $50 cue and a $500 cue? Like what could you do with one that you can't do with the other? Or is it more a matter of like the 'feel' like the difference between a les paul and something made in china?

As for weights, I've played w/a full set at a friend's place before, and I remember favoring the 20oz stick. I've heard that new players should use the heavier sticks (19-21oz) and as your get better/your touch gets more delicate, you move down into lighter sticks.
 
Mar 10, 2005
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i use an 18 ounce joss i got 10 years ago for $200, and a vinyl wrapped hard case was another $50.

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the difference between a $50 crap stick and a $200+ cue is largely build quality, then performance followed by looks. i recommend getting a cue with a steel joint and irish linen wrap.
 

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
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At maybe $100, I'd say you'll find something worth buying - my very first stick was a sub $200 Viking that I got secondhand and I used that for a few years before figuring out exactly what I wanted out of my next cue. You'll probably be able to find one on eBay or CL that someone bought a few years ago and only used sparingly...tons of people think "hey, I'll buy a nice stick and that'll improve my game" just like they do in golf.

Any cheap old carrying case will be fine. After you buy one, read up on how to maintain the cue as well.
 
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