Length
The standard adult cue is 58 inches. PoolDawg's guide by height:
| Player height | Cue length |
|---|---|
| Under 4 ft 8 in | 48 in |
| 4 ft 8 in to 5 ft | 52 in |
| 5 ft to 6 ft 4 in | 58 in |
| Over 6 ft 4 in | 58 in or longer |
Shorter cues also help in tight rooms; see room size. WPA rules only require a cue to be at least 40 inches long, with no maximum.
Weight
Playing cues generally run 17 to 21 ounces. PoolDawg puts most at 18 to 21 ounces, and both PoolDawg and Wikipedia name 19 ounces as the most common. Do not overthink it: a heavier cue does not guarantee more cue ball speed, and a lighter one does not automatically give you more spin. WPA rules cap cues at 25 ounces.
The joint
Two-piece cues screw together at the joint. A joint size like 5/16 x 18 gives the pin diameter and threads per inch. Most beginner cues use a 5/16 x 18 or 3/8 x 10 pin, which leaves you room to buy an upgraded shaft later. PoolDawg describes the feel by joint type: steel joints hit stiffer, wood-to-wood joints softer (closest to a house cue), and composite joints in between. Mismatched threads can strip a joint, so always match a shaft to the joint size.
Shaft and tip
PoolDawg sorts cues into three tiers: beginner, intermediate or league cues (often with low-deflection shafts), and advanced cues with premium shafts. A low-deflection shaft makes the cue ball push off line less when you use side spin, but as Dr. Dave Alciatore notes, switching to one means relearning how you aim with english. For a first cue, a standard maple shaft is a reasonable place to learn. The shafts and tips page explains the options.
What the extra money buys
PoolDawg's view is that higher prices mostly reflect artwork and design rather than performance; it cites a line whose cheapest and most expensive cues play the same. Signs of a budget cue include ramin wood shafts in blister packs and nylon wraps. Warranties run from about a year on entry cues to limited or lifetime coverage on mid and high-end cues, some of which cover warping.
League rules to know
If you plan to join the APA, its rules allow a break cue for breaking but allow jump cues only in Masters divisions, and you may not take your playing cue apart to use it as a jump cue. See break and jump cues before you buy specialty cues.
Protect it
A case protects your cue. Soft cases are the entry point; hard cases add protection and storage.
Sources
- PoolDawg, beginner guide to pool cues
- Pool Table Portfolio, guide to pool cues
- Cue stick (Wikipedia)
- PoolDawg, what's my joint size
- WPA cue specifications (Cue Sports India copy)
- APA rules, equipment
- Dr. Dave Alciatore, squirt and low-squirt shafts (BD, April 2008)
- PoolDawg, cue cases
- Dr. Dave Alciatore, table sizes and room requirements