My opinion only !!, I am also just a amateur ranked player, but have a long history of being solid player as I have two 30-zip and one 50-zip VNEA awards to show it other than a state championships and seven state championships besides international top three awards. So, I am not a pro, but, have had a blast playing this game for many years as well as selling cues for thirty + years. So, not to just post something to sell cues, my opinion is, sometimes you shoot so good you lose ( if you just can't finish and sometimes, you shoot so bad you win, lol ) as previous responses has eluded to. I mean if your opponent just can't finish and leaving you open tables, just about anything in your hand should finish the deal on a open table, however, my opinion is: Friday night bar banger night is good for just about anything your shooting with, but, if your wanting consistent performance at a high level, it's just not going to happen with a cheap cue, don't matter in my opinion. To be consistent day in and day out, or shooting in races greater than one or two games, the confidence you need to strive forward is in a quality product. Yes, once you spend X amount of dollars for a consistent hitting cue, then, above that mark, your paying for extra's, but, you still need to get to that mark for a cue that is going to deliver consistent results time after time. Everyone has just a little different stroke or how they approach certain shots, but, end result, finding a cue that is top performing for them is key. I have sold excellent top cues to folks who just can't learn to let the cue do some work for them, they still force bang everything and just can't let their instincts feel the cue, let the Friday night hammer throws of a horrible stroke let go into a smooth transition. I have taken back $ 500.00 to $ 900.00 cues and then sold them $ 90.00 Mcdermott's as deep down, it is what it is. Again, I understand that people are comfortable with the cheaper banger situations, but, to me, there is a large difference in consistent performance.