Finding the best cue sticks is one of the most important things you should do as a billiards player, whether you’re just starting or you’ve been playing for a while. Choosing the right cue stick can greatly enhance how you play the game and how others perceive your talent and game strength.
The problem is that a lot of billiards players don’t know how to find the best cue sticks, and a bigger problem is that most of them don’t know that they are using the wrong cue sticks and how it can adversely affect their game. Once you use the right stick, you’d be amazed at how much your game improves.
Here are four steps to choosing the best cue sticks that will greatly enhance your game
Finding the best cue sticks
1. Choose the cue stick weight appropriately
Different cue sticks have their weights. If you want to greatly enhance your game play, you have to choose the cue stick weight and also consider your skill level. The weight of the cue stick that professionals use isn’t suitable for beginners. If you’re just starting, you should start small.
For instance, expert billiards players normally use pool sticks that weigh 19 ounces or more, so beginners should start with lighter pool sticks that weigh around 15 ounces or less. This way, you can learn different tactics like pocketing touch shots with ease and finesse.
When you use a lighter cue stick to strike the cue ball, there’s a greater chance that the ball will go in the direction you want it to go, even if you hit the ball slightly off-center.
2. Select the cue tip rightly
There are different cue tip sizes, and the diameter of the cue tip that you choose can either affect or enhance your gameplay. Just like choosing the cue stick weight, the cue tip diameter used by professionals isn’t the same that should be used by beginners.
Cue tips with large diameters are perfect for beginners because it helps them pocket balls better, while professional billiards prefer cue tips with small diameters because it puts a better side-spin.
3. Use a shaft taper
Don’t worry. This is forgiving for most beginner players. The shaft of the cue is often tapered. What does this mean? It means that it is thicker at the base region and thinner at the tip.
There are 3 types of shaft tapers- double tapers, pro tapers, and standard tapers. Cue sticks with double tapers are very thick at the base and tip, but thin at the middle. Cue sticks with standard tapers reduce in diameter from the butt to the tip in an orderly and consistent fashion.
Cue sticks with pro tapers maintain a regular diameter for the first 12 inches close to the base. It now starts tapering as it approaches the tip.
4. Choose the right shaft diameter
You have to consider your hand size when selecting the right shaft diameter. The shaft is the longest part of the stick, so you have to look at your hand size when selecting your cue.
