Posts Tagged ‘Cue stick’

PostHeaderIcon Is Your Cue Straight Or Not?

So what is the best way to measure up if you have a straight cue stick or not? Well the best way to tell is to let your cue stick to roll. You need not do this in the middle of the road. All you need to find is an ideal pool table and then start rolling it.

Matthew Sherman from About.Com even shares a very important tip revealed for this matter. He said that when you place the cue stick on top of the pool table, you must shove it right across the felt with the use of your fingers. Send it to the other side just like a bowling ball.

Hence, when you see any signs of wobbling or even a slight deviation from just a very smooth motion, then this is already a good indication that the cue may have had some bents and  bulges. It could also be that the tip has a mushroomed type.

Photo via forums.azbilliards.com

PostHeaderIcon Components of the Cue (Part 1)

What is a cue? If you have been playing pool then it would be no problem at all. But if I will dare you to name at least 5 of the 13 parts of this pool equipment then I you would be having some difficulty, right? This article will introduce you to the essential components of the game equipment cue. First is the tip that has the common size of 13 mm of treated and compressed leather material. Next is ferrule that strengthens the tip area by reducing vibrations after every shot. Shaft can be made of hard rock maple, graphite or fiberglass. The most commonly used designs are called points that may vary in number, length, and width. If inlayed, even number points are used for balance and reinforcement. Intricate and rare inlays are valuable structural parts that set balance and can be made of exotic woods, ivory or gemstones. Last but not the least is the forearm that set the design and personality of the cue. Usually made of hard rock maple like the shaft, the forearm carry the heaviest part of the price as well as the place to find the points, inlays, veneers and other designs.

pic via

PostHeaderIcon The Cue Cases

The cue cases are usually made out of leather to keep it safe always. Majority of these are crafted by the hand with the best kind of raw materials. The cue stick can be either just a single unit or can be separated into 5 parts. All its parts are quite complex and needs total attention for utmost maintenance. Each cue case come very handy in serving safety and protection for your cues.

These are the types of leathers that cue cases are made of:

  • Bonded polyester
  • Genuine linen
  • Chrome tanned
  • Oak tanned

Each case without anything inside would weigh just less than 3 kg. Stitches are made right through the case instead of the use of the ordinary rivets. It has an interior makeup of 5 mm memory foam for extreme protection.

Photo via talismanbilliards.com

PostHeaderIcon Magic of the Cue

Playing the games of professional pool, snooker and billiards is not for an average joe, it takes talent, skills, knowledge and a good cue stick.

Most pool players believed that if they have the right cue stick, they would shoot better and that gives them an ace up in their sleeve. Every cue artist is in search of a perfect cue and they can tell whether it feels right by weight, balance, leather and shaft characteristics. An experienced billiard player can determine by the stick’s vibration if the stick flexes too much or not. The way the stick feels is important and the sound of the hit is likewise essential. Some players play for keeps that will pay more just to find the cue that feels superior, it’s an investment of high yield for a competition. For them it’s like a wand that gives magic to every game. And if this is the case, Efren “BATA” Reyes one of the world’s best pool players must have found the right wand for it makes him the magician.  But every player should know that it’s always the skill and mastery of the sport that means a lot and the cue stick will be as much use as a chocolate teapot.