Picking a Good Pool Cue Off the Rack

So you go to the pool hall or bar to play a friendly game of pool with friends. You haven’t been playing so long that you have your own pool cue, yet you have enough skills to know how to hold a cue and make some nice shots. How do you pick a house cue off the rack of cues? How do you distinguish between a good cue and wood better suited to starting a fire?

1. Look at the tip. The part that hits the white cue ball is the most important part. It should be round and the sides should be flush with the white Ferrule (the part the tip is connected to) the tip should not be flat, it should be curved approximately the size of a nickel.

2. Make sure the shaft is smooth by running the cue through your finger and thumb. A smooth cue will make stroking the cue in a straight line easy and allow you to put control and power into your shot.

3. Bounce the bottom of the cue (not the end with the tip) on the floor and if you hear any weird noises like a rattle or a thud, don’t choose this cue. Also look and see how the overall condition of the cue is and make sure it is not warped or bent out of shape.

Final tip, Chalk after every shot, and Win.