How to Choose the Right Cue
This guide will walk you through the factors to consider when choosing a cue to help you make an informed decision. How to Choose a Snooker Cue or an English Pool Cue?
Main Types of Cues
One piece Cues - It's solid and consistent from start to finish, there are no joints so it's less likely to cause noise and vibration, and you get a lot of extra feel through the cue, which makes positioning the cue ball much easier. Useful in homes, sports bars, and country clubs for its simplicity and durability, and preferred by many top professionals. MARK RICHARD Supply One Piece Snooker Cues for intermediate players.
3/4 Jointed Cues - Mainly chosen for convenience of transportation. If you like heavy cues, jointed cues should be your first choice. Jointed cues also tend to have more power due to their natural weight, but it is important to remember that power does not equal spin. Power and spin are created by well-timed cue action. Learn more MARK RICHARD 3/4 Jointed Snooker Cues.
1/2 Jointed Cues - The 1/2 jointed cues strike a balance between convenience and playability. It comes in two pieces for easier transport and storage. Perfect if you travel between venues or like to carry your cues with you. This is a great all-around option for those who play pool regularly.
All in all, the type of cue you choose should take into account how often you play, whether you travel often, how much space you have, and whether practicality or playability is more important to you.
Cue Materials
Ash - The visual grain of ash is wide, clear, and random, making it popular among players because its grain appears in an arrow or V shape, used by players as a visual aid to aim and get a feel for the cue's motion. Ash is less dense, has more flex in the shaft, and is easier to apply spin to, which is probably why most pros choose it.
Maple - Maple is a dense wood that feels more solid when hitting the cue ball, so it tends to deflect the cue ball more to the side. Maple is usually more yellow than ash and has no obvious visual grain. If the visual grain might be distracting, maple would be a better choice if that's the case for you. The depth of its color depends largely on atmospheric conditions.
Splicing - Whether they are one piece or jointed cues, they are usually made from different pieces of heavier wood, such as ebony, because it contrasts beautifully with ash or maple, and they are thought to provide a stronger, stiffer, and more accurate cue. There are many other woods now used for butt splicing, such as Rosewood, Zebrano and Exotic Wood.
Traditionally, cues are "four-point" splices, where the ebony or other wood is blended and fused into the shaft at four points. There are many different splices available now, including 8-point, 10-point, and butterfly point.
Cue Tip Size
Snooker Cue Tips are usually between 9.3mm and 9.8mm, while English Pool Cue Tips are usually between 8mm and 9mm. The most commonly used are 8.5mm for English pool and 9.5mm for snooker.
9mm and under - Suitable for English pool. Smaller tip sizes can lead to inaccuracy and unwanted spin. Some cue shafts will lack strength and power at this tip size. Learn more MARK RICHARD 8.5mm Pool Cues.
9.3mm-9.8mm - This is the most common tip size range for snooker. It is the ideal size for most players and is the most suitable size to maintain accuracy while being small enough to produce a good spin. Learn more MARK RICHARD 9.5mm Pool Cues.
11mm - Not always the best size for playing, but suitable for break cues. For many players, a large tip will encourage them to hit the cue ball harder to get the desired reaction. Larger tips can create more thrust/throw/deflection when hitting off-center balls. Learn more MARK RICHARD 11mm Break Cues.
Please note that choosing an exact tip size is extreme and going a little smaller than the ideal size will not have any effect on the play or feel of the cue. Choosing tip size is a personal preference. There is no right or wrong answer, what matters is which one works best for you.
Cue Tip Hardness
The tips of cues are the equivalent of tires on cars - they act as the connection between the cue and the ball. Cue tips come in two forms - single-layer leather and multi-layer leather. Multi-layer leather tips are more dimensionally stable and retain their shape over time.
Tips of different hardness may have slight differences. They can be made from either pigskin or buffalo leather, with pigskin being generally softer and more flexible, allowing for easier transfer of spin to the cue ball. Meanwhile, buffalo leather is prized for its precision and more accurate feedback on impact.
We have two types of tips for change and upgrade: ELK Master Tip and Century Pro Cue Tip. The ELK Master Tip is a Soft Feel Hardness. There are 4 grades to choose from within the Century Pro Cue Tip range:
G1 = Softer Feel
G2 = Medium Feel
G3 = Medium to Hard Feel
G4 = Hard Feel
Learn more about our Cue Tips.
Medium hardness tips are the most popular choice, and if you are unsure which hardness to choose, we recommend starting with medium hardness.
Cue Weight
Traditionally, most naturally weighted cues weigh between 17 oz (482 g) and 18 oz (510 g). 18 oz - 20 oz (567 g) are most commonly used, with 18 oz - 19.5 oz being the most popular.
To illustrate the weight difference, a piece of chalk weighs 0.6 oz (17 g).
17.5 oz (496 g) and under - This is not ideal for snooker, but great for English pool, as the lack of cue weight can make hitting straight shots difficult and laborious. Not all cues in this weight range will work well on a snooker table.
17.6 oz (499 g)-18.5 oz (525 g) - This weight range is very popular, especially for one piece cues that can generate power but are light enough to provide feel.
18.6 oz (527g)-19.5 oz (553g) - This weight range is popular with players who like to feel some weight on their cue, ensuring the cue has enough power and retains enough feel when hitting the ball.
Over 19.5 oz - These are heavy cues for snooker and are not ideal. Admittedly, some players find benefits to heavier cues, but this requires trial and error.
If you prefer a certain model of our cues, there are weight ranges to choose from. Weight selection is a personal preference. What matters is the weight that works best for you.
Cue Length
Most players use cues between 57" (1.45 m) - 59" (1.5 m), 57” and 58" are most popular.
This should only be used as a rough guide to length, as finding the right cue length is not only about height but also about each individual's body shape.
Players under 5'6" (1.7 m) can use a 56"(1.42 m) cue, but the most popular is still the 57" cue, and the 58" cue will feel too long.
Players 5'7" - 5'9" (1.73 - 1.8m) can use both 57" and 58" cues. Players of this height will generally have 2" to 3" of wiggle room at the back of the cue when using a 58" cue, but the balance of the cue will make them feel comfortable.
Players 5'10" - 6'1" (1.82 - 1.86m) tall are best suited to a 58" cue. However, some players feel that a 59" cue works better for them if they are over 6' tall.
Players 6'2" - 6'7" (1.89 - 2m) tall can play well with a 58" cue, but I would recommend a 59" or longer cue if needed.
The length you choose should be more suited to your cue action, not just your height and wingspan.
Cue Butt Diameter
This is the measurement across the cue butt from side to side. The standard cue butt diameters are between 29mm and 30mm, which works for most players.
27mm - 28mm: Very thin, few players have a cue butt of this size cue.
28mm - 29mm: Thin, but popular with English pool players. MARK RICHARD Pool Cues is around 29mm.
29mm - 30mm: Standard size, at least 80% of players will use a cue butt in this size range. MARK RICHARD Snooker Cues is around 30mm.
30mm - 31mm: Thick, not many players like cue butt diameters over 30mm.
The only rule for the cue butt is what feels comfortable in your hand.
Cue Balance Point
This refers to the balanced position of the cue when it is lying horizontally. Many factors affect balance points, such as the joint, the natural density of the wood, the shaft, and the butt size, which are all very subjective and based on personal preference.
Generally speaking, if you like to feel some weight in your grip, a 16.5-inch or smaller balance point cue is a good choice; if you like a more balanced cue, a 17-inch to 18-inch balance point cue is the best choice; if you like a cue with more forward weight, choose an 18-inch or larger balance point cue.
The cue must be properly balanced for optimal playability and cue feel, which will determine how the cue feels in your hands.
Cue Joint
The joint is an integral part of the jointed cue and is the connection point between the shaft and the butt of the cue. Most jointed cues come apart at about 3/4 of the length, and the joint is usually made of brass, this design choice is intended to provide a more natural feel and balance, ensuring durability and a secure connection whilst closely mimicking the performance and overall feel of a one piece cue.
Over time the joint can move slightly, causing the butt of the cue to deviate slightly from the shaft. But with our cues using a standard threaded joint design, quick-release joints, and airlock release joints this is no longer an issue.
Cue Ferrule
Just below the tip is the ferrule. This small, solid cylinder protects the tip of the cue and helps transfer the force of the stroke from the tip to the cue. All ferrules are internally threaded and securely bonded to the cue shaft to eliminate the risk of any problems. The quality of the ferrule affects the accuracy of your strokes and the life of your cue.
The vast majority of snooker and English pool players use cues with brass ferrules, but we also offer cues with Nickel Alloy ferrules. Alloy ferrules won't wear away like brass ferrules.
Cue Straightness
Straightness is a critical step in ensuring your cue is up to par and is the foundation for consistent, accurate shots, which is vital for any player. A cue that is not straight can seriously affect your accuracy and the quality of your shots. Here’s how to check if your cue is straight in good light.
First, hold the cue up to eye level with the tip pointing toward you. Looking down the length of the shaft toward the butt, the cue should form a straight line without any curves or bends. This simple visual check can quickly reveal any obvious problems.
Another effective method is to gently roll the cue back and forth on a flat pool table, watching and feeling for any wiggle or jump. A straight cue will roll smoothly without interruption. If the cue jumps or wiggles, it may indicate a bent or twisted shaft.
MARK RICHARD’s competitive advantage is achieving good straightness within a priority budget. Each cue is checked for straightness on the table before shipment to ensure that the cue you receive is straight and has the tip polished into a mushroom shape, allowing you to immediately get into the game and win the game with more confidence.
Conclusion
Choosing the right cue is a personal journey that takes time and patience, and will greatly impact your enjoyment and success in the game.
Every player is unique, and the ideal cue will ultimately come down to personal preference, playing style, and body type.
By understanding the key factors to consider, and taking the time to test and evaluate your options, you will eventually find the perfect cue that will enhance your performance and allow you to truly enjoy and excel in the fascinating world of billiards.