Tips for picking out a cue

A

Aten

m8
Silver Member
I'm about to join a league in my city as soon as the winter season gets underway. It's my first competitive experience (I usually just play randomly with friends at the bar in the past) and I don't have my own cue yet, but I'm considering buying one.

Do you guys have any advice on how I can go about figuring out which cue would suit me well, or any suggestions for suitable cues for a complete novice? I was always a bit hesitant to get my own stick because I was afraid to spend cash on something that I might eventually discover wasn't that comfortable for me. Anyways, I have no idea where to start since the last time I went to my local billiards store, the owner just handed me a bunch of random cues off a shelf and told me to try them... and frankly, they all felt the same.

Cheers,
Kevin

EDIT: My budget is sub $300, and I'm in the Ottawa area.
 
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Aten said:
I'm about to join a league in my city as soon as the winter season gets underway. It's my first competitive experience (I usually just play randomly with friends at the bar in the past) and I don't have my own cue yet, but I'm considering buying one.

Do you guys have any advice on how I can go about figuring out which cue would suit me well, or any suggestions for suitable cues for a complete novice? I was always a bit hesitant to get my own stick because I was afraid to spend cash on something that I would eventually discover wasn't that comfortable for me. Anyways, I have no idea where to start since the last time I went to my local billiards store, the owner just handed me a bunch of random cues off a shelf and told me to try them... and frankly, they all felt the same.

Cheers,
Kevin
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Kevin focus on a cues construction and not on the design. Simple cues (Plain Jane) that hit well and are built from quality materials by a competent cue maker will last longer and serve you better than any of the imports that are flashy but that are also not built to the same standards.

Remember you always get what you paid for.

JIMO
 
Aten, This should be a great experience for you. Picking out your first cue is often nerve wrecking trust me I know. In my opinion I would start with what weight cue you usually use. Next research user feed back on certain brands, I wouldn't go with anything cheap (Under $100) And I would stick with USA brands, I say this because with price usually come quality. Some may disagree on AZ. Some brands I would recommend looking at are McDermott, Joss, Viking, and possibly 5280. Also don't be afraid to ask to play around with some in house cues that are for sale see what you feel comfortable with.

I hope this could be of some help.

-JD
 
Aten said:
Anyways, I have no idea where to start since the last time I went to my local billiards store, the owner just handed me a bunch of random cues off a shelf and told me to try them... and frankly, they all felt the same.

Cheers,
Kevin
Click to expand...

This sentence speaks volumes about cues. Most cues made today whether they be custom or off the shelf will play very well. The difference is in quality as Manwon suggested.

I have a cheap cue that plays great, I have a custom that also plays great. I even have one custom that I'm getting ready to order that I bet will play good too. The cheap cue wont last, period. The customs will last a lifetime if cared for properly. Plus I like keeping my money here in the US if possible.

Go for quality first, looks second and name last.
 
Buy from a company that will accept returns if you do not like it. Also suggesting you do not buy anything too fancy or expensive if you're playing in a bar. You know the Joke... A Man walked into a bar........and stole someone's cue.
 
Aten said:
I'm about to join a league in my city as soon as the winter season gets underway. It's my first competitive experience (I usually just play randomly with friends at the bar in the past) and I don't have my own cue yet, but I'm considering buying one.

Do you guys have any advice on how I can go about figuring out which cue would suit me well, or any suggestions for suitable cues for a complete novice? I was always a bit hesitant to get my own stick because I was afraid to spend cash on something that I might eventually discover wasn't that comfortable for me. Anyways, I have no idea where to start since the last time I went to my local billiards store, the owner just handed me a bunch of random cues off a shelf and told me to try them... and frankly, they all felt the same.

Cheers,
Kevin
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If you have a cue retailer in your area i'd go to them and pick up a few cues and do some practice strokes . I think cue balance might be something you could get a feel for by doing that. Butt , forward or neutral balance would be something you could find out which you like best .
 
Two seasons ago, I met a new league player in the same situation (what cue to buy). I lent him an old sneaky pete to use until he figured out what he wanted in a cue. He used my cue to help his 8-ball team win the league championship. He used the $500 that he won to buy a cue. I lent him a basic $50 sneaky pete.
 
Aten, listen to these people, they are giving you good advice. Just don't be in a hurry to buy a cue. Play a while with different cues and soon you will discover what you want in a your own cue. Be patient. Play well.
 
Cues

Buy the cue that feels like it's an extension of your arm. Quite frankly, most production cues do not have the forwarding balance point that custom cues do. A good custom Sneaky Pete from a good cuemaker would probably be my choice if I was in your shoes.
 
tell us what your budget is that will help

then we subtract 20- 25 bucks for a basic tube case to protect it
 
1st cue

If you let the Forum know your general area you are in someone may be close enough to you to actually let you try before you buy. They can usually tell which cue suits you best. A good 1st cue choice could be your only choice and last you a lifetime. Happy hunting.
 
A lot will depend on your budget.

As some have suggested a custom sneaky pete or Merry Widow isn't a bad way to go.

I don't think you'll go wrong by buying a Schon either.

After those two recommendations, You might try McDermotts, Joss, Viking in either new or used form.

If you want one of the LD shafts(BTW, I am not convinced that you need one to learn the game and play well, but many will disagree.), consider Predator, Mezz, or OB.
 
Thanks for all the insightful replies, guys! By the way, I added my budget + city into my OP.
 
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Back in 1984 I joined a Moose League and needed a cue. There were 2 groups of players at the time when it came to cues, those that played with McDermott or Meucci. There was also 2 players that sold one or the other. One of the players on my team told me to see this guy that sold cues but was 60 miles away. I went there and he had Meucci, McDermott, and some expensive cues like Joss West. He pulled showed me some cues that weren't very well know by the name of Schon. He said he thought they were almost as good as the Joss but a lot cheaper. I was like you and didn't know anything about a cue. He said to try them and buy the one that felt the best. They all felt good, nothing stood out. He talked me into buying a Schon and I got a R5 for $105. When I went back to the league everyone laughed and said that I got taken by buying some strange cue when I could have got a McD or Meucci. I still have that cue and will probably never sell it. Moral is just buy a cue that is reasonable in price with good workmanship. Use it until you get more serious and may want another cue. At that time you might have a better idea on what you are looking for. The first cue can then be used as your breaker or just a trophy as the first that you bought. If you are lucking you may end up with something like I did. Just have a budget and pick out something within it. A good tip and shaft will help any cue.
 
TheBook said:
Back in 1984 I joined a Moose League and needed a cue. There were 2 groups of players at the time when it came to cues, those that played with McDermott or Meucci. There was also 2 players that sold one or the other. One of the players on my team told me to see this guy that sold cues but was 60 miles away. I went there and he had Meucci, McDermott, and some expensive cues like Joss West. He pulled showed me some cues that weren't very well know by the name of Schon. He said he thought they were almost as good as the Joss but a lot cheaper. I was like you and didn't know anything about a cue. He said to try them and buy the one that felt the best. They all felt good, nothing stood out. He talked me into buying a Schon and I got a R5 for $105. When I went back to the league everyone laughed and said that I got taken by buying some strange cue when I could have got a McD or Meucci. I still have that cue and will probably never sell it. Moral is just buy a cue that is reasonable in price with good workmanship. Use it until you get more serious and may want another cue. At that time you might have a better idea on what you are looking for. The first cue can then be used as your breaker or just a trophy as the first that you bought. If you are lucking you may end up with something like I did. Just have a budget and pick out something within it. A good tip and shaft will help any cue.
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If the name of Schon wasn't well known by your peers, it's just because they didn't know. Schon is universally respected among serious players as a cue that straddles the line between "production" cues and "custom" cues. In other words, you got a GREAT deal, and the seller steered you right.
 
I'm a CueTec fan. They last forever. They stay straight. Does not warp or nick. $100-$240 will put you behind the wheel.
 
The best way I can answer you is to think, "If I could go back to the beginning knowing what I know now, what cue would I pick?". I bought a lot of cues in the time I have been playing, and learned a little bit from each one.

If I were in your position again, I would buy a nice sneaky pete, like a dufferin conversion or something similar. It doesn't have to be fancy to play well. My friend had a Ned Morris sneaky that was nice. You can find them from a lot of different people.

If you don't know what weight you want, I would start with something between 19-19.5oz. Play with this cue for a while and use it to learn what you like and don't like. While you have this cue, try out as many cues as you can. Learn the parts of these cues you like and don't like. After a while, you will have a much better understanding of what is right for you.
 
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