New to Billiard Pool. Cue stick worth question

Mlhend2008

Mlhend2008

New member
Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a home that came with a full-size Gatty pool table in the basement. Along with the table were several cue sticks, most of which appeared to be typical recreational cues, including novelty cues with characters such as Homer Simpson on them.

However, one cue immediately stood out from the rest. It felt noticeably more solid, balanced, and well-crafted, with beautiful woodwork and an overall quality that suggested it was something special. The cue is signed "Mike Varner," and I've included photos for reference.

Unfortunately, due to a business-related move, I'm relocating to a smaller home where I won't have room for the pool table. I'm trying to learn more about this cue and determine its approximate value before deciding whether to keep it or sell it.

A few details:

• Signed "Mike Varner"
• Weight: 19.1 oz
• Straight shaft
• Straight butt
• Excellent overall condition
• Plays very well and feels exceptionally balanced

I've searched online but haven't been able to find much information about Mike Varner cues. I'm hoping someone here may recognize the maker, the style, or perhaps provide some insight into its quality, rarity, and potential value.

Part of me would like to keep it. While I've spent many years playing competitive table tennis throughout North Carolina and beyond, I'm approaching retirement age and am looking for a competitive activity that still rewards strategy, precision, skill, and practice. Pool seems like a natural fit, and I can always find a billiards room near my new home.

Any information, opinions, or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, and please forgive me if I misuse any billiards terminology. Ask me about table tennis and I can probably give a much better answer!

Mark
 

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Mlhend2008 said:
Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a home that came with a full-size Gatty pool table in the basement. Along with the table were several cue sticks, most of which appeared to be typical recreational cues, including novelty cues with characters such as Homer Simpson on them.

However, one cue immediately stood out from the rest. It felt noticeably more solid, balanced, and well-crafted, with beautiful woodwork and an overall quality that suggested it was something special. The cue is signed "Mike Varner," and I've included photos for reference.

Unfortunately, due to a business-related move, I'm relocating to a smaller home where I won't have room for the pool table. I'm trying to learn more about this cue and determine its approximate value before deciding whether to keep it or sell it.

A few details:

• Signed "Mike Varner"
• Weight: 19.1 oz
• Straight shaft
• Straight butt
• Excellent overall condition
• Plays very well and feels exceptionally balanced

I've searched online but haven't been able to find much information about Mike Varner cues. I'm hoping someone here may recognize the maker, the style, or perhaps provide some insight into its quality, rarity, and potential value.

Part of me would like to keep it. While I've spent many years playing competitive table tennis throughout North Carolina and beyond, I'm approaching retirement age and am looking for a competitive activity that still rewards strategy, precision, skill, and practice. Pool seems like a natural fit, and I can always find a billiards room near my new home.

Any information, opinions, or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, and please forgive me if I misuse any billiards terminology. Ask me about table tennis and I can probably give a much better answer!

Mark
Click to expand...
I think you meant "Nick" Varner.
👍
 
I found this on Nick's website. (He has a store in Owensboro, Kentucky.)

1780600830424.png

Unfortunately, pricing if for dealers only on his site. But Integrity cues has new one for sale for $360. So I'd put yours are right around $150 or so. There's nothing "wrong" with Nick's cues. They're just not really high end and don't hold value like a lot of customs do.

If you like it, keep it and play with it. I'm sure it plays just fine.
 
Nick Varner is a multiple time world champion. His peak as a player was in the 1980's. He used his star power to start a billiard company in the 1990's, and that's the cue you have. It's an import cue, not worth much today. He is still semi-active as a player, and his company is still going. I think he's about 80 years old now.
 
iusedtoberich said:
Nick Varner is a multiple time world champion. His peak as a player was in the 1980's. He used his star power to start a billiard company in the 1990's, and that's the cue you have. It's an import cue, not worth much today. He is still semi-active as a player, and his company is still going. I think he's about 80 years old now.
Click to expand...

Not sure if he still does, but as recent as a couple of years ago he still traveled around giving day long group lessons.

As part of that he brought/brings a bunch of his cues to hawk...
 
Thanks for the response back from everyone. Outside of playing with seasoned players and picking up pointers to help me develop into a competitive player, are there good books that would teach me the fundamentals of playing pool. Things like learning the different angles, strategy and tricks in playing. Something I did in table tennis to compete at the state and even national level. But it's time for me to move, when the other players refer to me as the coach and not a competitor. 🤣
 
lakeman77 said:
This sounds like it written by AI
Click to expand...
yeah, and this is not the first 'new member' doing that and I wonder why. Been a few lately that have been removed.
I guess trying to establish an account w/some credibility for future scams and/or link placement?
The perfect grammar and "Mick Varner", "Gatty", "Plays very well and feels exceptionally balanced" are all kinda giveaways.

I've got nothing against the AI tools, I use them daily. (Not for this post!) Just like poolhall props and scams, w/a little experience it's not hard to see it. But as mentioned in another thread it's soon going to be harder to tell.
 
Mlhend2008 said:
Thanks for the response back from everyone. Outside of playing with seasoned players and picking up pointers to help me develop into a competitive player, are there good books that would teach me the fundamentals of playing pool. Things like learning the different angles, strategy and tricks in playing. Something I did in table tennis to compete at the state and even national level. But it's time for me to move, when the other players refer to me as the coach and not a competitor. 🤣
Click to expand...
There are definitely some good books out there. But, in my humble opinion, video is where it's at. Look up Accu Stats on YouTube. Watch the videos, and just as important, listen to the commentary. You'll see the game played at it's highest level and commented on by some of the best to ever play the game. Unless you've been around pro pool, I'd bet you have no idea just how good the best players in the world are. I know it was an awakening for me. And that was all the way back when the only way to see those videos was to order them from Pat over the phone and get them in the mail.
 
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