Help finding my first real cue

[drivermaker]

I assume that you plan to continue playing the sport even after you're through with college. If that's the case, --and this is just my opinion ---if I were you, I would check into Mike Johnson's low-end custom cues. He's the cuemaker for Jensen Custom Cues and has some real great hitting ones for around $400.00.

I don't agree with this, nor the Viking, nor the $1,200 custom. You seem to think this is about getting your first cue to get more involved with the game and progressing normally. I don't see it that way at all. This is more about coming out of high school and shaping yourself to be a big thinking successful capitalist that will be able to buy all the cars, homes, women, or whatever else you want in life and you need to train yourself to set higher, loftier goals.

$165 bucks...that's chicken feed. You have 4-5 months to get a job and work your ass off to get the ultimate cue. Think in terms of $2,500 for that cue. A custom cue, which really might not be a custom because it'll be a spec cue made by a cuemaker with the title of a custom cuemaker, however, you'll be able to tell everyone at the first big beer blast that it's really a custom.

But again, that's neither here nor there. It's about getting what you want. Plus, if you continue to stay on the forums, who better than yourself will be able to take another young lad down the path of custom (there's that word again) and lead him to the promise land. By the time you're an old fart with a kid your own age ready to make the step into college, you may very well have his entire college tuition paid to become a Dr. if you invested in just the right up and coming cuemakers cue that'll be worth 100's of thousands by then.

Think about it...do you only want a cheap ass cue to get started in playing this game...or do you want an opportunity of a lifetime for financial security as well as the stepping stones to hard drive and work habits?

 

[spartan]

it depends if you want a wrap. you cab get a predator SPWU which has no wrap and a wood to wood joint for less than $300. i have one i use when its crowded and i dont wana take out one of my other expensive cues. i think you should go with a predator as your first cue. IMO a predator shaft is the only piece of equipment that can actually improve your game.

 

[chefjeff]

Alright, well I am going to go and test some cues out tomorrow at a local shop to see how these cues feel. Any basic ideas on what I should be looking for? Thanks again for the help

For a house cue, get a 19 or 20 oz. Valley Supreme. The best damn cue on the market, imho. They come with standard taper or a pro style. They sell for around $20 bucks. Use it for a while, THEN decide how to spend more.

Muellers sells 'em and you get a discount for 3 or more.

Jeff Livingston

 

[drivermaker]

IMO a predator shaft is the only piece of equipment that can actually improve your game.

Damn!! No wonder I can't play for shit...I was always under the impression that it was CHALK.

 

[OldHasBeen]

CAN'T MISS WITH A - Lucasi

Hey guys, first I want to apologize since I am sure everyone here is sick of hearing a beginner asking about equipment questions and all but unfortantly this is one of those types of posts.

I am a pretty average young player (18 years old as of yesterday) and have a pool table down at my summer house which I play a lot during those 3 months. This year however, I am going off to college giving me easy access to a table for the next several months. Because of that, I am looking to start getting serious with learning to play the game. As of now I pretty solid with easy to medium shots and am decent with banks and ball placement.

Now, after playing a little bit in the past 2 months, I realized that the cues I have down at my house are horrendous to say the least. Therefore, I am first wondering what is a good house cue I can get so at least my friends can play with a decent cue too. My main question, however, is about what kind cue I should get for myself, one which ideally will not slow me down in my growth and also will assist me in my games once I learn how to efficively use it.

I have two pathways to go down. First is getting a $100 cue, one that stands to my mind from looking on the forum is the Viking VM38-40. My second choice is to go all out and get a nice ~$400 that ideally will last a lifetime. I was thinking about getting a predeter, possible z shaft or a 314 (depended on if if liked them at a store, I have heard mixed reviews for both). So my main question is which route should I go. Please recommend cues as well, as I am not really aware of whats good and whats not as of now. Thanks a lot for any help

I am playing with a Lucasi because I retired my Balabushka. I think it would be a perfect fit for a beginner or seasoned Pro. I got mine on Ebay for $89. Did some tip work & it is great.

TY & GL

 

[Systim6]

Or you can just save the money you would spend on a cue and spend that money on pool time and just play with a house cue. The pool time is a better investment.

 

[MJC097]

Or you can just save the money you would spend on a cue and spend that money on pool time and just play with a house cue. The pool time is a better investment.

No arguement that practice is better then equipment from me... but both would be nice

Anyway I went up to the billiards place today and I played with the McDermott MG-2 and a Viking VM28. Both felt real nice but I really could tell too much of a difference in play since I couldn't chalk the cue (and it didn't help I was playing like garbage too).

Now, I was looking online and the two I seem to have in mind to get is either the Viking VM-31 (for around $165) or the McDermott MG-5 (around $150). Both of these look pretty similar, so should I lean either way on this choice? Also, anyone see these cues in real life? I am not sure if they will be too bright. They seem fine on the computer but anyone knows a cue can look a lot different in a picture. Thanks again

 

[Regulator1956]

No arguement that practice is better then equipment from me... but both would be nice

Anyway I went up to the billiards place today and I played with the McDermott MG-2 and a Viking VM28. Both felt real nice but I really could tell too much of a difference in play since I couldn't chalk the cue (and it didn't help I was playing like garbage too).

Now, I was looking online and the two I seem to have in mind to get is either the Viking VM-31 (for around $165) or the McDermott MG-5 (around $150). Both of these look pretty similar, so should I lean either way on this choice? Also, anyone see these cues in real life? I am not sure if they will be too bright. They seem fine on the computer but anyone knows a cue can look a lot different in a picture. Thanks again

It's all personal. McDermott has a better warranty, though.