New player with some questions.
- Thread starter blanman22
- Start date
At this point, any standard cue will do. I assume you need to work on fundementals and a cue probably isn't going to matter much. Stance, bridges, pre-shot routine, etc. are not going to be influenced by what your playing cue is.
Didn't they give you a starter set of sticks when you bought your table? They should have.
Didn't they give you a starter set of sticks when you bought your table? They should have.
Welcome to the forum Chad. My suggestion to you would be to get a quality cue that you can buy in the 250-350 range and not bother with the cheapie imports, you would be much happier. I would suggest a cue by Bill Dominiak, his website is www.DominiakCues.com, you will find great quality at a low price with Bill.
Best of luck with your game!
Kev
Best of luck with your game!
Kev
blanman22...Welcome to the forums! Check the Wanted/For Sale forum for used cues under $100-$150. If you spend more, you're wasting your money. Invest in a professional lesson from a qualified instructor, and you'll be making balls consistently very quickly. Then, down the road, you can buy a nicer cue...if you want to...but you certainly don't need to.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
richard neighbors out of cincy ohio.
Don't spend a lot on your first cue. Once your in it for while and hone what you like and don't like in a cue (weight, balance, materials for ferrule, wrap, etc) you will want a new one anyway so don't waste your money on the first go 'round. Just make sure it's straight.
Welcome to the cue arts!!!
Welcome to the cue arts!!!
Welcome Chad
As for good hitting cues that aren't too pricey some good ones are McDermott,Viking, and Lucasi.Good fundamentals are more important at this stage.As long as it is straight it will do.Did you get some cues with your table?Good luck with learning the beauty of billiards.This forum can and will help tremendously.Welcome!!:thumbup:
As for good hitting cues that aren't too pricey some good ones are McDermott,Viking, and Lucasi.Good fundamentals are more important at this stage.As long as it is straight it will do.Did you get some cues with your table?Good luck with learning the beauty of billiards.This forum can and will help tremendously.Welcome!!:thumbup:
First.. welcome to the AZ Forums.
Since you just went out and bought a new table I know you might have a few bucks left over to buy 3 one-piece cues. Buy an 18 oz., a 19 and a 20 oz. they come lighter than 18 and heavier than 20 also. If you feel you need one lighter or heavier, go out and get another one-piece and try it. Don't worry you will have many friends come over to put them to good use.
When you like the feel of one better than the others, then go out and buy a $150 two-piece. Later on as you progess on the table you will also have an idea what you like in a cue and may want at that time get a more expensive one. Probably half of all two-piece cues bought online and from a cuemakers are never used as a player cue by the original buyer. Not that there's anything wrong with them, it just doesn't feel right to the first buyer, so they are sold.
I have a $400 Viking and a Dale Perry even though I know it's all in the shaft and tip. How pretty the butt looks doesn't make it play any better than plain one. Both of mine are players. I can pick either up and shoot well with it. But I know what I like to shoot with and have been playing for over 50 years. Johnnyt
Since you just went out and bought a new table I know you might have a few bucks left over to buy 3 one-piece cues. Buy an 18 oz., a 19 and a 20 oz. they come lighter than 18 and heavier than 20 also. If you feel you need one lighter or heavier, go out and get another one-piece and try it. Don't worry you will have many friends come over to put them to good use.
When you like the feel of one better than the others, then go out and buy a $150 two-piece. Later on as you progess on the table you will also have an idea what you like in a cue and may want at that time get a more expensive one. Probably half of all two-piece cues bought online and from a cuemakers are never used as a player cue by the original buyer. Not that there's anything wrong with them, it just doesn't feel right to the first buyer, so they are sold.
I have a $400 Viking and a Dale Perry even though I know it's all in the shaft and tip. How pretty the butt looks doesn't make it play any better than plain one. Both of mine are players. I can pick either up and shoot well with it. But I know what I like to shoot with and have been playing for over 50 years. Johnnyt
Chad,
Welcome to the forum. I have to agree with TX Pool Nut and Scott Lee. Your money is going to be better spent in professional instruction.
Here is a 1 piece house cue from Muellers for less than $20 with quality components. It comes with a LePro tip, canadian maple shaft and a full spliced butt.
http://www.poolndarts.com/p-3523-Mueller-Maple-Pro-House-Cue/[/QUOTE]
If you need to get a two piece cue, then get the same basic cue but in two pieces. This particular style is called Sneaky Pete, because in the old days hustlers carry them because they look just like house cues.
http://www.poolndarts.com/index.cfm...334&Fuseaction=Catalog.Product&productID=7445
Almost any sneaky pete is a good bang for the buck, and later you can spend more when you want to upgrade to a nicer cue. Being in a beginner/intermediate handicapped team 8-ball league is nothing to brag about. In the four seasons that I've played so far came in 5th and 3rd place using nothing more than a Huebler sneaky pete.
Welcome to the forum. I have to agree with TX Pool Nut and Scott Lee. Your money is going to be better spent in professional instruction.
Here is a 1 piece house cue from Muellers for less than $20 with quality components. It comes with a LePro tip, canadian maple shaft and a full spliced butt.
http://www.poolndarts.com/p-3523-Mueller-Maple-Pro-House-Cue/[/QUOTE]
If you need to get a two piece cue, then get the same basic cue but in two pieces. This particular style is called Sneaky Pete, because in the old days hustlers carry them because they look just like house cues.
http://www.poolndarts.com/index.cfm...334&Fuseaction=Catalog.Product&productID=7445
Almost any sneaky pete is a good bang for the buck, and later you can spend more when you want to upgrade to a nicer cue. Being in a beginner/intermediate handicapped team 8-ball league is nothing to brag about. In the four seasons that I've played so far came in 5th and 3rd place using nothing more than a Huebler sneaky pete.
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Get to a league...
If I was in your shoes I would go out to one of the local league nights at a local pool establishment. Introduce yourself and ask to hit a couple of shots with as many different cues as you can. This is better done before any matches start. Most folks that play pool recreationally should be happy to let you try their cue. I certainly would, and you can get an idea what different cues feel like. This is what I did on an APA night years ago when I was looking to buy my first decent cue. I ended up with a Jerry Olivier that cost me $225.00. Buying without trying can be frustrating and you may not like what you get, also do not buy a cue based on looks, it is all about how you like the performance of the cue..
Good Luck,
Dan
If I was in your shoes I would go out to one of the local league nights at a local pool establishment. Introduce yourself and ask to hit a couple of shots with as many different cues as you can. This is better done before any matches start. Most folks that play pool recreationally should be happy to let you try their cue. I certainly would, and you can get an idea what different cues feel like. This is what I did on an APA night years ago when I was looking to buy my first decent cue. I ended up with a Jerry Olivier that cost me $225.00. Buying without trying can be frustrating and you may not like what you get, also do not buy a cue based on looks, it is all about how you like the performance of the cue..
Good Luck,
Dan
Thanks for the help.
Thats the problem with the lessons. I live in Rock Hill SC. Its about 20 mins south of charlotte nc. I havent found anybody that offers lessons. I have only found 2 stores that sell pool stuff anyway. I also bought a used table. I thought it was a deal. I got the table for 450 from a guy moving into a smaller house. He had already sold all the cues and such.
Thats the problem with the lessons. I live in Rock Hill SC. Its about 20 mins south of charlotte nc. I havent found anybody that offers lessons. I have only found 2 stores that sell pool stuff anyway. I also bought a used table. I thought it was a deal. I got the table for 450 from a guy moving into a smaller house. He had already sold all the cues and such.
I second the idea of you getting one piece house cues first. They'll play great, and as you grow, you'll realize what you like and what you don't like. Those Muellers are a screaming deal at $20 a pop. I'd say you got a pretty good deal on that table as well, $450 is not bad as long as the table is in good shape and doesn't need any additional work done to it. Check out youtube for some instructional vids for beginners, I'm sure there has to be at least a couple on there. You can also ask questions on here, many of us don't mind answering simple questions or you can PM one of us also.
I would not be so quick to show up at a pool hall and ask strangers to let you try their cues. I wouldn't be so receptive to the request, I can tell you that much. Besides, if you are new to the game you wouldn't even know what you were looking for.
As far as lessons go, if there are any pool rooms in your area you might call around and see if any of them have a house pro or two, or someone who gives lessons out of that room.
As far as lessons go, if there are any pool rooms in your area you might call around and see if any of them have a house pro or two, or someone who gives lessons out of that room.
I'd also recommend getting a relatively inexpensive cue to start. Maybe an experienced player can join you in a trip to a billiard supplies store; I'd recommend this even if you have to drive to another town to find the player and the store.
The quality of the tip on a cue is over overlooked. The tip can be replaced, but it's worth having someone take a look at the tip on your new cue.
If you don't already have an instructional book then I'd recommend picking one up right away. Different players have their favorites. I would recommend buying one or both of the following:
Byrne's Standard Book of Pool and Billiards by Robert Byrne
http://www.amazon.com/Byrnes-Standa...r_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243910930&sr=1-11
Play Your Best Pool by Phil Capelle
http://www.amazon.com/Play-Your-Best-Philip-Capelle/dp/0964920409
The quality of the tip on a cue is over overlooked. The tip can be replaced, but it's worth having someone take a look at the tip on your new cue.
If you don't already have an instructional book then I'd recommend picking one up right away. Different players have their favorites. I would recommend buying one or both of the following:
Byrne's Standard Book of Pool and Billiards by Robert Byrne
http://www.amazon.com/Byrnes-Standa...r_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243910930&sr=1-11
Play Your Best Pool by Phil Capelle
http://www.amazon.com/Play-Your-Best-Philip-Capelle/dp/0964920409
Welcome to the forums
Pooltchr, a member here, is in your area and has a good reputation as an instructor. You can try contacting him.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/member.php?u=1091
Steve
Pooltchr, a member here, is in your area and has a good reputation as an instructor. You can try contacting him.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/member.php?u=1091
Steve
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someone said 250, that's too much for a first cue imo. Unless you really feel like having a nice looking stick is something important to you.
You can get a stick that hits well for under 100.
I think this is a great starter stick:
http://www.ozonebilliards.com/plcuesnpero.html
I think they have a deal where they'll throw in a case for like 6-10 bucks.
You can get a stick that hits well for under 100.
I think this is a great starter stick:
http://www.ozonebilliards.com/plcuesnpero.html
I think they have a deal where they'll throw in a case for like 6-10 bucks.