Hello everybody. First I'd like to say I'm sorry if this post is in the wrong spot. I looked around and couldn't find anything exactly related to noob questions about cues. I'm 33 and have been playing since I was a kid. Several tables in the family. I never played a league until now where a buddy of mine invited me to play in an APA league.
I haven't played in 5 years but I love the game. Went almost immediately to a 6 and got beat back down to a 5. None of my teammates have their own cue so we've been using house cues that you can't even draw with and tonight it finally cost me two games.
I want to get something that's quality, but I'm still new and not sure how serious I'll get. However, a good pool cue is something I know that I can take care of and use for a long time. Went and talked to a shop today and realized I'm in over my head.
What i think I'd like is a 19 or 19.5oz and leaning towards a 12.75mm tip. I think I'd also like something with a soft/soft medium tip which I know can be changed but it would be a plus if it came that way. I don't know brands what so ever though. Can somebody point me in some kind of direction where I can get quality but not spend a ton? Would like to stay well under 200, though i usually find myself the type to spend the extra 25-50 bucks if it means a pretty good feature or something I see as good value. One that I've wondered about is the players hxt15. Anybody know anything about it?
Thank you very much in advance.
You've probably already got a ton of suggestions for cues, so I won't go there unless you ask me specifically. Plus, a lot f these guys have a better head for the new cues out there than i do.
My suggestion is don't go cheap on the tip. Not saying buy the most expensive tip, because I really don't think that's necessary. But don't buy the cheapest tip either.
Buy something quality. I think the tip for most players is more important than the entire rest of the stick,
because it's the only bit that actually comes in contact with the cue ball (or it should be).
For a less experienced player I might suggest something medium to medium-soft. Don't go full soft or super soft; that'll probably make things weirder than you want to deal with. And even though probably less trouble, I'd stay away from hard tips. Medium-hard at most.
I happen to be on a Kamui trip right now, but I used to play a lot of Triangles, Tigers and Mooris as well and always liked them just fine (here's where someone out there will have a problem with one of those or all of them, but whatever). My point is there's plenty of good decently priced tips out there to pick from. Pick one. Just don't spend good money on a stick and then go Wal-mart on a tip. That's all I'm saying.
Good hunting.
The difference in certain cues IMO, is their ability to stay straight, given proper care, over time. Quality control, manufacturing techniques, material quality, and wood quality/seasoning, will eventually show it's true colors.
