The best guide for buying a billiard cue.

Is it time to buy your first billiard cue or update the one you already use? It is an important decision, so in this article you have all the keys to choose the cue that best suits your needs: dimensions, weight, handles, arrows, types of soles ... Everything! Are you ready?

1. How much money can I spend?
This is one of the most important questions you need to do to yourself when buying a new cue. Depending on the amount you can spend when buying the cue, you can acquire a better or more economic one, with better shafts, better looking design, etc...
For those who are just starting to enjoy this sport, an around 100€ cues should do the job. These are great cues for the price.

2. Will this be my first cue?
First of all, you should ask yourself two important questions: How long have I been playing billiard for and will this be a cue to play once in a while or to improve as a billiard player? If you are just starting to enjoy this great sport, I can recommend you checking one of the Cuetec's cues. I started with one of these cues and still use it once in a while. Even though I have better cues, this one, being my first cue ever, has a very special feeling when I play with it.

3. Knowledge about the Cue parts.
A billiard cue is made of 4 important pieces that we should know:
1. The Butt: This is the lower part of the cue. The thicker piece made to grab the cue. Usually has a design or a grip for better holding.
2. The Shaft: This is the long piece of the cue, lighter and thinner than the butt. The diameter becomes smaller as it reaches the ferrule and cue tip.
3. The Joint: This is the piece that joins the butt and the shaft. Depending on every brand and model, the kind of joint many be quite different. It is very important to know what kind of joint your cue has in case in a future you want to change butt or shaft, it must use the same kind of joint.
4. The Ferrule: This is the small white piece that joins the shaft end with the cue tip.
5. The Cue Tip: This is also a very important part of a cue. It is a small rounded piece of leather used to make contact with the ball. Depending on what kind of cue tip and it's hardness, you will achieve a different type of hit.

4. How about weight and length?
This totally depends on your height and arm length, but if you are tall, you will need a longer cue. Also, the lighter the cue, the better control when hitting the ball.
As a standard length and weight we can recommend the following:
Length: Between 145cm and 150cm.
Weight: Between 500gr and 600gr.

5. Cue tip, best diameter and hardness?
The wider the diameter the easier to hit the ball but also the less chance to make spins. The smaller the diameter, more control is required from the player.
You can find soft, medium and hard cue tips. The softer the cue tip the more it grasps to the ball, therefore we recommend medium or hard cue tips for beginners.

6. What kind of grip should I choose?
We can find 4 types of grips:
1. No Grip: The surface is plain and bright, usually provides a good grip with dry hands.
2. Sport Grip: Usually made of plastic, provides extra grip and very durable.
3. Leather Grip: Less grip than Sport Grip, but the feeling is so much more comfortable.
4. Linen Grip: This is at a spot between Sport and Leather Grip. This is my personal favorite grip, it just feels right when hold.

7. What is more important, the Butt or the Shaft?
This is a common question when thinking about buying a new cue. For sure, both the butt and the shaft are very important, but, the shaft definitely has a greater role when playing. It is always recommended to buy a laminated and low deflection shaft. If you have an amazing butt and a not so good shaft, you will end up finding out that the shaft is affecting negatively to the over all performance, but on the other hand, a really good shaft can make a regular butt have a much better feeling when playing. Here you can check some great shafts.

8. Do I also need a Cue Case?
Of course you do! Your cue should always been well protected when carried around. You can chose between hard or soft cases, depends on your preference. Also the cue cases size can vary, 1x1 (can fit 1 butt and 1 shaft), 1x2 (1 butt and 2 shafts), 2x4 (2 butts and 4 shafts) and so on. I use one of these Molinari cue cases, lovely finish and great protection!

So, after reading this guide, I am sure you will have a much better knowledge about purchasing a new cue. If you have any other questions, you can ask us in the comments section below and we will happily help you!