Q: I want to buy my pool cue, one that I can get used to and which will improve my game. What are my options?
A: You can get a basic cue for about $15 to start, but you'll probably notice its shortcomings if you compare it with others. Higher performance pool cues can cost up to $100 and above. As you try a range of cues you'll experience important differences, like the effect of cue weight.
Q: Are the better cues lighter, or heavier?
A: Lighter. Thanks to British mathematician and physicist Sir Isaac Newton, we know exactly why. Back at the turn of the 18th century, he established a set of laws of motion which explain how objects move, and how their weight affects their motion. He said that there's an equal and opposite reaction when you act on an object -- you hit it, it moves. It keeps moving until it slows due to friction, or it hits an obstacle.
This persistence effect, called inertia, applies well to pool balls but also covers the motion of the cue. With pool cues weight can be a drawback: the heavier a stick is, the more it tends to keep moving in the direction of your shot, good or bad. Sometimes, a table scratch or miss is the result of that inertia. Other times, a wild shot. You lose finesse.
Q: How does a lighter cue help?
A: You might think that a heavier pool cue can help you crush a powerful break shot and get the kind of travel you need from the ball. After all, the balls are a pretty consistent six ounces according to "Mass of a Billiard Ball" in the online "Physics Factbook." So your physics advantage is going to be in your cue selection. When you're developing your shots, the heavier cue is going to amplify your errors while the lighter cue will be more responsive.
For example, a heavier pool stick weight will make your off-center shot even more so, and it will be more difficult for you to hold your line as you intended. A lighter pool stick weight will glide better, jerking offline less due to friction through your guiding hand. You'll also need less force to move a lighter cue, letting you be more refined with your shots.
Q: So, which pool cues should I consider? What is the standard cue weight?
A: The pros use cues which weigh 19 to 19.5 ounces. Available pool sticks range from a low of about 15 to as much as 27 ounces, an extra half-pound over the pro cue. Choosing one which is right for you, remember that lighter gives you more "touch" and "feel," but too light limits your ability to put spin and side-spin on the ball.
Specifically: Use a 20-ounce stick to start, and then practice. As soon as you can, you should move down to 19 or 19.5 ounces. Play with a lightweight house cue, usually available to use for free, and see how it works for you. Remember: you can get a lightweight pool cue moving faster, farther and under more control than a heavier one. Physics says you'll get your super-powerful break that way.
What more do you need to know about your ideal pool cue? Ask us.
FAQs
On average, 18 – 21 ounces is the standard weight of a pool cue. Typically the range of weights for pool cue sticks is 18, 19, 20 and 21 ounces, with 1/2 ounce intervals in-between.
What weight cue do most pros use? ›
Like choosing your cue tip diameter, it is essential to consider your skill level when selecting your stick weight. The pros use cues that weigh 19 to 19.5 ounces. Available pool sticks range from a low of about 15 to 27 ounces, an extra half-pound over the pro cue.
Is a lighter or heavier cue better? ›
In general, a lighter cue will allow more control over finesse shots, and a heavier cue will allow more cue ball (CB) speed with less apparent stroke effort. A heavier cue might also be easier for some people to keep on line during the stroke, but this is a very individual thing.
What is the average weight of a cue ball? ›
What is the standard weight of a billiards ball? The object balls weigh 5.5 ounces on average. The cue ball typically weighs 6 ounces.
What is the difference between 19 oz and 20 oz pool cue? ›
Using a lighter weight stick (18-19 oz.) will create more "snap" in your shot; your cue ball will be dynamic and your object ball will go into the pocket at a slower pace. A heavier cue (20-21 oz) results in a more sluggish cue ball; the object ball will go into the pocket faster.
How heavy should my cue be? ›
The Sweet Spot: Cue Weights Between 18-21 Ounces
This weight allows for enough control over the cue ball, while also providing a comfortable feel for the player.
How much does Ronnie O Sullivan's cue weight? ›
Cue length measures approx 57.09" (145cm) Shaft length measures approx 28.35" (72cm) Butt length measures approx 29.13" (74cm) Cue weighs between 17 and 18oz.
Do expensive cues make a difference? ›
Whether you're a casual pool player or a serious competitor, owning a high-quality pool cue can make a big difference to your game. Not only can it help you make more accurate shots, but it can also improve your consistency and give you a more enjoyable playing experience.
Do pool balls wear out? ›
Eventually, your pool balls will wear out and need to be replaced. It is easy to find new, high-quality ball sets at Blatt Billiards.
How heavy is a break cue? ›
One of the more frequent questions we hear on a regular basis when it comes to break cue selection is "how heavy should my break cue be?". With a standard range of 18-21oz on pretty much all pool cues, there is quite a bit of confusion when it comes to picking out a weight for your breaker.
Does the weight and size of the balls ever vary much, and does it have an effect? The cue ball and all object balls should be the same size (2 1/4″ diameter) and weight (usually 5.8-5.9oz). For more info, see the WPA ball specifications (see Section 16).
Is a 25 oz break cue legal? ›
Think steering wheel grip, but on a pool cue. Second, it's 25oz. Sure, it isn't as heavy as the Elite breaker, but at 25oz, the cue is legal for pretty much every league. Third, leather tip, so once again, totally legal.
What size pool cue do pros use? ›
If you are mostly playing an eight-ball pool game, the stick you would generally use is about 1.39 to 1.44 metres or 55-57 inches. Some manufacturers provide up to 58 inches. Professional players opt for between 56 and 57-inch cues because they believe these are the perfect sizes for the cue ball.
What size pool cue tip do professionals use? ›
Elk master 13mm pool billiard cue tips are popular among professionals because they enable them to achieve more spin on the cue ball thanks to their excellent grip on the chalk. Mistakes are therefore uncommon while employing these techniques.
What weight cue does Ronnie use? ›
Ronnie OSullivan Riley Ash 2-Piece Pool or Snooker Cue
The 57-inch two piece full size cue features a high quality ash shaft and comes fitted with a 10mm Elk Master Cue tip and weighs 19.3oz.
What cue do professionals use? ›
If you are wondering what pool cue sticks do most professional pool players use, you have come to the right place. Predator pool cues have been the reference in professional competitions for 30 years. First with the 314 low-deflection shaft, and now with the innovative REVO® carbon fiber shafts.
