Worth it for a new player to buy a new cue?

gforces1911 said:
It really depends on what your goals are for the game. If you are a recreational player then it might not matter. I always used cues as a form of graduation symbols between levels. I do think that consistent equipment is a complete requirement for the game, however I think you should reward yourself with a better cue as you can peform and appreciate it. This is what my friend told me and I have subscribed to it.

I would start out (according to budget) with a players or even a low end McDermott cue. Learn everything there is to know about that cue- and then graduate to a schon or even a predator sneaky once you have a consistent stroke. If you develop a stroke then you can reward yourself with a better cue. You earn it. Use your schon or predator and win some. By this time you will know how serious you are- and if you love it that much then go ahead and get your first custom. Read the boards about the custom makers- and hit balls with different cues. By this time you will have an idea of what makes you happy as a player.

A lot of people I have seen jump right in and grab the high end cue or a custom cue but don't have the stroke to appreciate what the cue can do or the feel that the cue can give. They get frustrated and end up on the wayside. To me they kind of appear like the spoiled kids of the world- they just cannot figure anything out about the game because the cue was their end and not the development of a complete game.

This is just my 2 cents.
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Well basically I want to play to relieve stress and have fun. Also, pool is good for me because I'm a very impatient person (which is why I stink so much at pool!) and it would help me slow myself down. But I am very competitive so at some point I'd like to enter amateur tournaments or a league. FYI, I don't want to spend more than $150.
 
ill give my opinion as i was in the same situation till xmas.

i would do it in this order:

- go to the poolhall u always go, find the best housecue u can find in the room, ask the owners to install a good tip on it, play with it, and ask them to put it away for u. U dont own it, but no drunk noob will play with it either. At least u'll be playing with the same cue in every training. And like said before, using the exact SAME cue is very important. cost = 0$

- once u are going to start doing small tournaments, dont buy a 100+$ cue right away. (ull have trouble with stress on first matches anyway). What i did is play small tournaments for 2 3 months first, (using the housecue's from there, OR if your poolhall owners dont minds use the housecue that has the good tip on it, and lend it for the tournament, or buy it ) cost= 0 or 10$ if u buy the housecue

once ull be playing tournaments, ull play vs guys with good and different cue's, try to play with them as much as possible. U can learn all the theory about cue's here on the forums, but nothing will tell how a cue should feel to YOU!!. I just discovered a 18.5 cue is the exact weight that gives me the feedback I like. Just play with as much cue's as u want, some wont let u play with them, some will. Try to feel what u like, weight, do u like wraps? linnen? leather? pro tapers? hard tips? soft tips? it will take u some time (2 - 3 months) before uve played with enough different cue's so u can make up your own mind.

- one uve played with enough, then u can start looking to invest some money into a good ebay buy, or az buy cue for 100-200$, or even let one make for 300$, or buy a cue exactly like the one u borowed and u loved.

i think its a waiste of money to buy a cue as soon as possible. i bought a 50$ J&j cue , and even if it helps (because my poolhall owner dont lets me play with the houscue with my favorit tip on in other poolhalls, the cue has to stay there) i just needed it, because in some places they just dont have housecue's or non is playable... But it still feels like 50$ waisted as it plays nothing AT all like i like. So id folow the steps i told u, give yourself time.

I also read a stiff cue with 19.5oz and linnen is what people like. so i bought my J&j with this specifications and i hate it. Seems i prefere 18oz, soft/medium tip, and my linnen feels to rough it deconcentrates me. So i need to go for smooth leather or double hard pressed linnen... Best advice: play with 20 different cues at least before u spend ANY money.

on the other side, my jump/break cue from J&J isGREATH, and its VERY good invested money. BEst buy i did, only 70-80$ and it helps ALOT in the break. if u play alot of 8-9ball, and u can jump, id do this: put a good tip on a good stick from your local place, train with it, invest in a J&J j/b and play with the housecue untill ive got enough experience in playing with other cues.

ps my opinion; if i had to choose between; my 50$ playcue and no j/b cue, or no playcue and a j/b, id go for the last one. having a good J/b helps me more then having a cheap playcue that doesnt play at all like i play.
 
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Thanks for the feedback everyone, I really appreciate it. I've decided to postpone the purchase until my birthday in April. If I keep up my practice schedule I'll be markedly better by then and it will be a good way to reward myself.
 
Good for you.

HeyYouItsMike said:
Well basically I want to play to relieve stress and have fun. Also, pool is good for me because I'm a very impatient person (which is why I stink so much at pool!) and it would help me slow myself down. But I am very competitive so at some point I'd like to enter amateur tournaments or a league. FYI, I don't want to spend more than $150.
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Have fun. You can find a good cue for under $150 that will take you to the next level. I would suggest that you spend $29.95 on Bert Kinisters 60 Minute Workout. You can contact him via: bertkinister.com


I did get this video the first year I started playing. It was a big help and even helps to this day. IMHO it is better than a book at the beginning level. Shoot shot #1 until you can do it 10 in a row.
 
In consideration

of what you would do for 'other' sports, such as
tennis or golf, you would buy your own equipment to play with, basically because you would have to,
to participate. If you are going to do it on a regular basis, then yes, you should invest a little
so you can get the maximum pleasure from playing, and your own cue will help you do that.
I am not an advocate of the 'low end' Josses, they hit like a steel rod, and lack feel. Either get yourself a Sneaky Pete that feels good to you
(I played with a Huebler for almost 20 years and liked it), or for $180-$220 you can get a Lucasi,
which plays well for a lower end cue, and they
look pretty good too.
 
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