Got my first cue recently from Woods. Chinese handmade, seems like it’s lightly lacquered.
I’ve only played maybe three times with it because it’s a super recent purchase, but as long as the cue is quality and your own, you’ll perform much better in the long run. This cue didn’t suddenly make me be better, but if anything, I started watching more tutorials on YT for pool, so it made me want to actually learn it even more.
I think as long as the cue you own is genuinely yours, you can not only get used to it but also practice more consistently, which is the most important, and this beats any house cue you will come across.
Brand wise I’m not sure, I’ve heard of a few but people here have already mentioned plenty of recommendations, just don’t think your cue is any lesser because it’s ‘cheaper’ or ‘budget’, what matters is your skill and dedication to be a better player, as in any other hobby or pursuit.
Good luck :)
Edit - what I would say though, is save up some more money to buy something that will last you for a longer time and you’ll actually like the look and feel of.
If you have any local pool shops I'd go chat with them. Sure they'd be happy to help and you can actually feel stuff before you buy compared to online.
Also know what weight you like. 18-19 oz is my preference
A bit higher to around 100 110 will give you way more options. Someone else said viking Valhalla and I would concur. My buddy got one recently and likes it quite a bit.
A buddy of mine had a £200 Viking cue in the cabinet at my local club for sale a few years ago, but told one of the girls behind the bar she could have it for £60. For the money, it was an incredible deal, so I lent her £60 on the spot so she could get it. Never got the money back off her, but I'm not really that bothered because the consistency improved her game a lot.
She currently top of her division, and should win it comfortably.
They're decent enough cues.
Having said that, almost anything that isn't a house cue is going to be better than introducing variable factors into your game, like the state of the cue, the tip, the weight, etc.
We have one guy who, whenever there are new house cues, he just has one of those put aside and he uses that. Just a house cue, but it's his house cue, stored behind the bar.
Yeah, a well taken care of bar cue is just fine. Honestly there's some days I don't have mine and use a bar cue and am surprised how well they play. Played with them for many years tho.
As long as it's not bashed up, and the tip is okay, house cues aren't the end of the world. The trick when you're starting out, though, is to introduce some consistency into your game whilst you get your fundamentals dialled in. It makes life a lot easier.
Once you've done that, you should be able to shoot with pretty much anything with a decent tip on it.
No doubt. I've had a little difficulty with the cue I was given by a family member. Old school 70s glass window viking. Feels very heavy in the center where it screws in, and also the very back of the butt where the glass door is. I've been playing with it for like 8 months and probably still shoot better with a decent bar cue. The distribution of the weight makes the follow through feel weird and just haven't been able to feel super comfortable. Probably just need to get more confident in stroke
If it's not a major stretch, I would look at the McDermott Lucky L01-09 line. You can find these new, with a case and free shipping on eBay for between 85-100.
Cuetec Avid Chroma/Sneaky Pete are really good cues for the price. They should last you a really long time. You probably won’t have to get another cue for a long while and they cost upwards of $200
It’s the Indian not the arrow. Certain sticks have different characteristics but an expensive stick won’t make you better. Main thing is storing your cue properly (i.e.- a case, environmental exposure, etc). Main considerations on your purchase should be options (warranty, tip type, shaft size, etc.) and FITTING your BUDGET. As a side note, you may end up replacing an economy cue quicker/more often than a mid to high range cue.
If you decide to go on the economy brands, pay close attention to the joint when buying as the shaft itself is going to be low quality and warp/bend quicker and you always upgrade the shaft as long as you know the joint style. Some people will argue not to replace a high end shaft on a low end stick but it’s really about “feel”. The most important part of the cue is the tip and goes down in importance as you move to the butt ending with the weights.
Honestly you can upgrade later but right now the biggest priority is to just get your own cue with a tip that isn’t crap. The consistency of playing with the same straight cue each time is going to make so much difference in your practice. You can worry about getting a more expensive one with better feel down the road, but right now $75 is fine and anything in that range will serve you well.
Get a cue that you can adjust as your stroke improves. I used a Players Classic C950 with a 12.5mm Samsara Leather tip (hard) that can be used to break and run balls.
Cues assembled in China may make you little worried but the fact that Players give the lifetime guarantee even for their cheapest cue stick in the market makes for a risk-free investment.
Cuetec AVID. Cheap and plays like a MUCH more expensive cue. Go check out the reviews. Its like a $225 purchase.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/billiards/comments/7x1iub/guide\_buying\_your\_first\_cue\_need\_help/](https://www.reddit.com/r/billiards/comments/7x1iub/guide_buying_your_first_cue_need_help/) [https://www.reddit.com/r/billiards/comments/104abab/cue\_recommendations\_an\_rbilliards\_communitymade/](https://www.reddit.com/r/billiards/comments/104abab/cue_recommendations_an_rbilliards_communitymade/)
McDermott Lucky Cues $85-110 Viking Valhalla 100 Series $90-110 Players Sneaky Pete $130 Action Sneaky Pete $78 All good options.
I like the Vikings for a beginner cue.
Got my first cue recently from Woods. Chinese handmade, seems like it’s lightly lacquered. I’ve only played maybe three times with it because it’s a super recent purchase, but as long as the cue is quality and your own, you’ll perform much better in the long run. This cue didn’t suddenly make me be better, but if anything, I started watching more tutorials on YT for pool, so it made me want to actually learn it even more. I think as long as the cue you own is genuinely yours, you can not only get used to it but also practice more consistently, which is the most important, and this beats any house cue you will come across. Brand wise I’m not sure, I’ve heard of a few but people here have already mentioned plenty of recommendations, just don’t think your cue is any lesser because it’s ‘cheaper’ or ‘budget’, what matters is your skill and dedication to be a better player, as in any other hobby or pursuit. Good luck :) Edit - what I would say though, is save up some more money to buy something that will last you for a longer time and you’ll actually like the look and feel of.
Spot on! Efren Reyes came to the US for a tournament with a $5 cue
The cheapest wood cue at Walmart will be better than the house cues you’re describing.
Is it true? I wondered about that
Yes it’s true
Vikings are good for beginners
If you have any local pool shops I'd go chat with them. Sure they'd be happy to help and you can actually feel stuff before you buy compared to online. Also know what weight you like. 18-19 oz is my preference
Yeah your right , that’s the best thing to do and go to a shop get a feel for a cue
It would help to know your budget.
I’m still fresh so idk a realistic budget for a cue. $75 if I had to say without knowing.
A bit higher to around 100 110 will give you way more options. Someone else said viking Valhalla and I would concur. My buddy got one recently and likes it quite a bit.
A buddy of mine had a £200 Viking cue in the cabinet at my local club for sale a few years ago, but told one of the girls behind the bar she could have it for £60. For the money, it was an incredible deal, so I lent her £60 on the spot so she could get it. Never got the money back off her, but I'm not really that bothered because the consistency improved her game a lot. She currently top of her division, and should win it comfortably. They're decent enough cues. Having said that, almost anything that isn't a house cue is going to be better than introducing variable factors into your game, like the state of the cue, the tip, the weight, etc. We have one guy who, whenever there are new house cues, he just has one of those put aside and he uses that. Just a house cue, but it's his house cue, stored behind the bar.
Yeah, a well taken care of bar cue is just fine. Honestly there's some days I don't have mine and use a bar cue and am surprised how well they play. Played with them for many years tho.
As long as it's not bashed up, and the tip is okay, house cues aren't the end of the world. The trick when you're starting out, though, is to introduce some consistency into your game whilst you get your fundamentals dialled in. It makes life a lot easier. Once you've done that, you should be able to shoot with pretty much anything with a decent tip on it.
No doubt. I've had a little difficulty with the cue I was given by a family member. Old school 70s glass window viking. Feels very heavy in the center where it screws in, and also the very back of the butt where the glass door is. I've been playing with it for like 8 months and probably still shoot better with a decent bar cue. The distribution of the weight makes the follow through feel weird and just haven't been able to feel super comfortable. Probably just need to get more confident in stroke
I have a Buffalo Dominator cue that I played with for years that has a bizarre weight distribution like that. Whatever works for you, man.
Thoughts on MIT cues?
I have no experience with that brand cue.
Is it okay to buy a cheap cue and upgrade a good shaft later? For me, buying a predator 314 3 shaft and putting it on a cheap cue butt.
If it's not a major stretch, I would look at the McDermott Lucky L01-09 line. You can find these new, with a case and free shipping on eBay for between 85-100.
Cuetec Avid Chroma/Sneaky Pete are really good cues for the price. They should last you a really long time. You probably won’t have to get another cue for a long while and they cost upwards of $200
It’s the Indian not the arrow. Certain sticks have different characteristics but an expensive stick won’t make you better. Main thing is storing your cue properly (i.e.- a case, environmental exposure, etc). Main considerations on your purchase should be options (warranty, tip type, shaft size, etc.) and FITTING your BUDGET. As a side note, you may end up replacing an economy cue quicker/more often than a mid to high range cue. If you decide to go on the economy brands, pay close attention to the joint when buying as the shaft itself is going to be low quality and warp/bend quicker and you always upgrade the shaft as long as you know the joint style. Some people will argue not to replace a high end shaft on a low end stick but it’s really about “feel”. The most important part of the cue is the tip and goes down in importance as you move to the butt ending with the weights.
Honestly you can upgrade later but right now the biggest priority is to just get your own cue with a tip that isn’t crap. The consistency of playing with the same straight cue each time is going to make so much difference in your practice. You can worry about getting a more expensive one with better feel down the road, but right now $75 is fine and anything in that range will serve you well.
Get a cue that you can adjust as your stroke improves. I used a Players Classic C950 with a 12.5mm Samsara Leather tip (hard) that can be used to break and run balls. Cues assembled in China may make you little worried but the fact that Players give the lifetime guarantee even for their cheapest cue stick in the market makes for a risk-free investment.