Dealer here, but this is just a player tip. Wish someone told me early that a soft, still bridge hand matters more than a fancy stroke. I spent a year muscling shots with a death grip and wondering why my cue ball skipped or curved on longer shots. Loosen up, keep your grip hand relaxed through contact, and let the tip do the work instead of jabbing at the ball. Also seconding the center ball hit comment: most guys aim for center and are actually a tip or two off, which throws off every speed and spin calculation downstream. Get a buddy to watch your stroke on a mirror or slow-mo video, it's humbling but it fixes more leaks than any drill.
If you're shopping for your first cue, worth knowing what actually matters at the beginner price point, fuller guide here:
https://billiardhome.com/blog/best-pool-cues-for-beginners
