As any snooker or pool player would vouch for, cues are one of the most important elements while playing a match! Every individual snooker player needs his personal cue to develop his abilities in this game. There are several types of cues available, and one can choose them according to the needs, requirements, skill level, etc. However, it is not very difficult to find the ideal cue for you if you know what to look for!
The first thing that you need to understand is that the cues required for playing snooker are different from the ones required to play pool. Though both these sports look quite similar, they are widely different; snooker requires more skill because the balls are smaller and heavier, the table is larger, the pockets are narrower, and the pocket lead-in is also curved.
The snooker cues are available in various forms that include 1 piece snooker cues (which uses a single piece of timber), 2 piece snooker cues (which has a single joint at the halfway point) and 3/4 jointed snooker cues (which are jointed three quarters of the way from the tip) and special short or junior cues measuring 36 to 54 inches.
Traditional Pool Cues, popularly also known as UK pool and 8-ball pool, have a very similar specification to snooker cues except for a smaller tip (around 8 to 9 mm on average) and the different configuration of joints (such as short butts and 4/5 jointed cues). The 8 ball cue is available in a wide selection of designs and styles. Some of the most popular 8 ball cues include Mirage Short Butt English Pool Cue, Peradon Saturn 3/4 Jointed 8 Ball Pool Cue with Mini Butt, Galaxy 8 Ball Pool Cue, Storm 8 Ball Pool Cue, and Meteor 8 Ball Pool Cue. For more information on 8 ball cues, visit: www.cuepower.co.uk
It is very important to choose the right type of wood for you. Generally, Ash and Maple are used to make cues. Ash wood is mainly used for snooker cues; it is tougher and exhibits dark grain lines. On the other hand, Maple wood is mainly used for pool cues and exhibits tighter grain lines. You also need to choose the correct weight, as snooker cues are available in three different weights; 17, 18, and 19 ounces. You should opt for any one of them depending upon your skill level; the heavier it is, the more advanced level player you should be.
Standard cues are anywhere between 57 - 58 inches long. To find the correct cue length for you, you should determine the height to which the cue reaches on being held upright, with the tip pointing upwards. The cue should ideally reach just below your shoulder. You should also thoughtfully consider buying the right size of cue tip in order to perform really well, as it is the only partwhich directly interacts with the ball! Generally, tip sizes for snooker cues are between 8 – 10 mm and pool cues are between 10 – 13 mm.
However, just buying the right cue is not enough if you want to improve your game. You need to take proper care of your cues in order to prevent any kind of damage to them. They should always be kept dry and away from heaters and radiators. Proper attention should be paid to keep them free of chalk dust, as it might stain the shaft and discolour the tip of the cue in the long term. The cues need to be handled well and should ideally be stored in cue racks or a cue case.
This post is written in association with Cuepower. They provide snooker and pool players with high quality products for every level of ability and budget. Staffed with great enthusiasts of these sports, they also help players to select the perfect cue, case and other accessories.
