When you start playing snooker, you just grab any cue that is in the snooker hall and check if it is straight, after that you don't really pay attention to it.
But if you are going to be serious about the game you need to get your own cue.
Choosing a snooker cue should be an enjoyable experience with all those colours and shiny lacquer they look really cool.
But just a few things to consider before you rush out and buy that cue.
Firstly, don't go cheap, you will soon regret it, spend at least £40 or more and get a decent cue with a good quality tip (most important) and make sure it has a brass ferrule (or other metal or plastic) at the tip end of the cue as this prevents you damaging the cue when you change the tip.
And get a 3/4 split cue as this is the most convenient for adding extensions to.
Also make sure it will take a smart extender or something similar and check with your supplier as the screw threads are not standard.
After that, choose the colour and wood that you like, most snooker cues come in ash and a few in maple, it really doesn't matter which wood you choose.
Now you are good to go, but one more thing, make sure you get a cue case as well, that your cue will fit.
This will protect your cue from knocks when carrying it around and I would get a hard case as well as that gives you some protection from the cue being bent or broken better than a soft cue case will.
OK so you have your nice shiny new cue, now what? Practice with it , you have to grow into your cue so you can get the feel of it.
No two cues are the same, even when they are the same model, you have to get used to the foibles of the cue and get used to the feel of it, it is rarely going to feel right just out of the box, you have to persevere and feel the contact so you know where that cue ball is going.
What weight and length of cue should you go for? There is a saying in snooker that your cue should come up to just below your shoulder when stood on end, in reality it doesn't much matter, the standard length of 57 inches should be fine for just about anyone unless you are exceptionally tall or exceptionally short.
As for the weight, the average cue weight is 17 - 18 ounces, and I suggest you start with one of that weight, it is probably true that a lighter snooker cue gives you better feel for a shot and a heavier cue is better for those power shots.
But at the end of the day it is what you feel is right as regards weight and you probably won't be able to judge that until you have been playing for some time.
So that's it, enjoy choosing your snooker cue, it will give you hours of enjoyment.
But if you are going to be serious about the game you need to get your own cue.
Choosing a snooker cue should be an enjoyable experience with all those colours and shiny lacquer they look really cool.
But just a few things to consider before you rush out and buy that cue.
Firstly, don't go cheap, you will soon regret it, spend at least £40 or more and get a decent cue with a good quality tip (most important) and make sure it has a brass ferrule (or other metal or plastic) at the tip end of the cue as this prevents you damaging the cue when you change the tip.
And get a 3/4 split cue as this is the most convenient for adding extensions to.
Also make sure it will take a smart extender or something similar and check with your supplier as the screw threads are not standard.
After that, choose the colour and wood that you like, most snooker cues come in ash and a few in maple, it really doesn't matter which wood you choose.
Now you are good to go, but one more thing, make sure you get a cue case as well, that your cue will fit.
This will protect your cue from knocks when carrying it around and I would get a hard case as well as that gives you some protection from the cue being bent or broken better than a soft cue case will.
OK so you have your nice shiny new cue, now what? Practice with it , you have to grow into your cue so you can get the feel of it.
No two cues are the same, even when they are the same model, you have to get used to the foibles of the cue and get used to the feel of it, it is rarely going to feel right just out of the box, you have to persevere and feel the contact so you know where that cue ball is going.
What weight and length of cue should you go for? There is a saying in snooker that your cue should come up to just below your shoulder when stood on end, in reality it doesn't much matter, the standard length of 57 inches should be fine for just about anyone unless you are exceptionally tall or exceptionally short.
As for the weight, the average cue weight is 17 - 18 ounces, and I suggest you start with one of that weight, it is probably true that a lighter snooker cue gives you better feel for a shot and a heavier cue is better for those power shots.
But at the end of the day it is what you feel is right as regards weight and you probably won't be able to judge that until you have been playing for some time.
So that's it, enjoy choosing your snooker cue, it will give you hours of enjoyment.
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