Good beginner cue brand and price?

Cheap joss with a ozone O3 shaft if u want low defelction. Probably 325$investment. Schmelke sneaky.. the under 200
 
When I got back into using my table I called David Schmelke and he quoted me some really good prices on a few cues he had in inventory and I don't recall the most expensive one being over $110, lowest priced was $80. Nice cues, was nice to have some options in the rack for visitors/family. Super guy.

Liked the transaction and cues so much I had him do a custom for me that was still very reasonable at $320 and it's very, very nice IMO.

Discovered Pat Diveney was in the great state of Iowa and he made me one that was about 2 1/2 times the Schmelke custom (and he has lots of options at a lot more money) and boy did I enjoy standing around his shop and talking on a Friday morning just about a year ago - what a treasure!

Don't know anything about any other brands or makers and doubt I'll ever need to buy another cue, but was happy enough with these that if I do I'll be calling one of these two guys. (Don't like to get out of my comfort zone when I find something I like and someone I can trust).
 
Tin Man said:
I haven't played with every cue. I know I started with a McDermott in the 90s and stuck with it for 15 years.

I got my daughter a new McDermott for < $100. Then, after she showed serious interest, I upgraded her to a low deflection shaft. But with a factory shaft they are solid playing cues with an entry level price.
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I second McDermott. A friend recently ordered one from Ozone for around $85 with a cheap 1x1 case. And most LD shafts are offered with the McDermott joint so you can easily upgrade later.
 
Fantastic quality, and not "just for the price" made in U.S.A. bonus.

https://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/schmelke/schmelke_pool_cues.htm

you can probably shop around for an even better price. I bought two of them for a friend who has played for decades and wanted a good sneaky at a good price. he was thinking used. I bought two of them through flee bay and both were far beyond my expectations. so it's an option you may consider.
 
jayman said:
Fantastic quality, and not "just for the price" made in U.S.A. bonus.

https://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/schmelke/schmelke_pool_cues.htm

you can probably shop around for an even better price. I bought two of them for a friend who has played for decades and wanted a good sneaky at a good price. he was thinking used. I bought two of them through flee bay and both were far beyond my expectations. so it's an option you may consider.
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I felt same way until both my shafts warped less than 2yrs. later. IMO they don't cure their shaft long enough. I've had a LOT of cues over 40yrs and this was first one that ever had a shaft warp much less both of them. An $80 Players cue has better shaft.
 
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pt109 said:
Step out a little bit....buy a Joss sneaky pete...decent price range at Pool Dawg...$287
...I got one of these....27 years old...people keep trying to buy it...it’s a fourth cue...
...but I won’t sell it.

View attachment 546401

Here’s the link

https://www.pooldawg.com/joss-jossp01-sneaky-pete-cue

You can buy a lot of $100 cues in 27 years...and still not have a cue as good as this one...
...so a little more money is cheaper in the long run
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I had a Joss sneaky back in the 90's. It hit so amazing. I always really enjoyed playing with any wrapless Joss that did not come with an SS joint collar.
 
Bob Jewett said:
McDermott sells a beginners kit with cue and soft case plus chalk and some other stuff. It is about $70 plus shipping. If you get two of them, they pay the shipping. I have played briefly with two of the cues and they seemed solid and hit the ball the way I like.

http://www.mcdermottcue.com/mcdermott_pool_cue_kits.php

The particular one I shot with was in Kit 5. It is better to get a wrapless cue to start with which is good because the kits with wrapped cues cost more.

Until you form a better idea of what you want in a cue stick, I think this cue will serve you well. You may need no other cue.
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Oh my, I am sorry, but those cues look like pure junk. Waste of $70, in my opinion. Much better to pay a little extra, and get a Players cue. For the little bit of extra cash, you would be getting a far higher quality cue.

Here is a really nice one, for around $150, and it comes with a free case.

https://www.seyberts.com/players-cues-exotic-series/players-e2330-exotic-pool-cue/
 
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animatedvmaker said:
Oh my, I am sorry, but those cues look like pure junk. Waste of $70, in my opinion. ...
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I base my opinion on the way two examples of this cue hit the ball. The points are painted on. That is irrelevant to the way the cue hits the ball. Have you ever shot with one of these cues? I found it played better than all of the more expensive cues at the billiard supply store that I tried -- about ten in all.

The other factor is that the new player who asked has absolutely no idea what kind of cue he wants. None. He may as well start with a reasonably good cue at a very attractive price.

Frankly, I was startled by the value.
 
Bob Jewett said:
I base my opinion on the way two examples of this cue hit the ball. The points are painted on. That is irrelevant to the way the cue hits the ball. Have you ever shot with one of these cues? I found it played better than all of the more expensive cues at the billiard supply store that I tried -- about ten in all.

The other factor is that the new player who asked has absolutely no idea what kind of cue he wants. None. He may as well start with a reasonably good cue at a very attractive price.

Frankly, I was startled by the value.
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Justinb386 KNOWS CHEAP CUES.

That is all he's ever had.

Go back and read his posting history under Justin386.

I'm not saying it. He says it.

Go read his stuff.

He is an EXPERT on cues that he doesn't have, has never had, has never played with, and he can't afford.

Be sure to listen to his advice.
 
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HawaiianEye said:
Justin386 KNOWS CHEAP CUES.

That is all he's ever had.

Go back and read his posting history under Justin386.

I'm not saying it. He says it.

Go read his stuff.

He is an EXPERT on cues that he doesn't have, has never had, has never played with, and he can't afford.

Be sure to listen to his advice.
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justinb386. Don't leave out the "b".
 
Johnny Rosato said:
justinb386. Don't leave out the "b".
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Thanks for the assist.

He ain't no plain Justin386.

He B da Justinb386.

Here a list of thread he made under the Justinb386 profile if you run out of stuff to keep you entertained.

https://forums.azbilliards.com/search.php?searchid=25021072

__________-

This thread is especially interesting:

https://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=484277

Do you feel that Admins always do what is right?

I feel that there are nice, good, and Just Admins, and I also feel that there are Admins that play favorites, and are also on a power trip.

If a group, or forum has an Admin that is not friendly, good, and Just (hopefully I am using the right wording), then do you think that the forum will not grow, and eventually die?

Admins just make me so angry sometimes, because I know that what they are doing is wrong, and the decisions they make are for personal reasons, and not about the group or forum.

Some may just be on a power trip.

I understand that they are there for a good reason, but I also feel like they are kind of like Dictators.

I mean, some just come across as very mean people.

I have been kicked out of many Groups for reasons that I just do not understand.

Not even a simple message, to let me know why I was kicked out of the group.

But I guess that because they created the group, or whatever, then they have every right to talk to anyone any way they want to, and mute or kick that person out for any reason they want to.

They basically get to play god, in their group, or forum.

I just wish that all Admins could be nice, open minded, and just (not sure if I used the right wording or spelling there).
 
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jaime_lion said:
So What is a good beginner pool cue brand and price? If it is too difficult to give me one brand and price give me a range please.

Thanks
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I had a Schmelke Sneaky Pete and it was a great cue, gave it to my girlfriend and I'm thinking of getting another. We all seem to agree Player's make a great cue at bargain prices. Perfect for a beginner, but I've also seen some pretty strong players win a lot of matches with a Players.
 
jaime_lion said:
So What is a good beginner pool cue brand and price? If it is too difficult to give me one brand and price give me a range please.

Thanks
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If you live near a thrift store, check out the sporting section. I have about 40 high end cues in my collection...never paid more than $12, cue cases usually about $10, Aramith ball sets about $20.

My cue was something like $50 14 years ago. A Dufferin ‘Steve Davis’ Snooker cue I also use for American Pool. I’ve used it just about every day and as good as when new,

Anyways, don’t spend more than $100 if new. It’s just a stick with a tip.
 
This might sound like a strange recommendation. I bought a jump/break cue with two shafts for $159 (including joint protectors) here:

https://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/bwcues/bw_jump-break-cue.htm

After I broke with it a few times, I decided to see how the break shaft played. I was amazed; I could easily use the break shaft as my playing cue. As for the workmanship, the points are nice and sharp, unlike a lot of sub $1,000 cues, which have cheap looking rounded points. I've only used the cue twice, so I can't vouch for its durability. For more details, see my review here: https://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=508516
 
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