I'm interested in getting a cue stick; so I don't have to use the crappy ones at pool halls.

Less than $50 preferably. Needs to break out into pieces so I can easily carry it.

I know nothing about cue sticks. If you tell me $50 stick is worthless, then I'd be willing to spend more. Any particular brands to look out for? Places to buy? Features to want? What makes one stick better than another?

 

I like how this is somehow in the Health and Fitness section...

If playing pool = working out, I'm an all star athlete!


$50 won't get you much, but you may be able to score a half decent cue from a pawn shop for that kind of money.

 

:ibmtr&p:





for real though - if you're ok with the sticks at Dick's Sporting Goods, then drop the 40-50 bucks for one of those sticks, they break out into 2 pieces and aren't that bad for the price.

 

Big five is where I got mine... Might be like Dick's Sporting Goods on the east side... Just remember never to break when using your personal stick... always use the house to break or get a cheap wood stick with your new one...

It breaks out into two pieces and I’ve had it for a few years now... I'll post pics when I have a chance... it was $60-80... $100.00 with the case and chalk...

 

my friends bought me one for ~$50, and it is way better than any of the house cues.

I'm not sure the brand, it is really plain. They just went to a pool/billiards supply store and asked the guys there. They bought more expensive cues for themselves, but I didn't like many of theirs. Maybe because they are all carbon and fiberglass, and I'd rather just have wood. I haven't played pool in like a year though.

 

Whatever you do before buying, assemble the stick and check to make sure it's straight and true. The cue stick should roll easily and evenly on a smooth surface.
If the tip looks like it's wobbling when you're rolling the cue or looking at it while turning, the stick is not straight and shouldn't be bought (regardless of whether the wood is warped or the fitting is misaligned).

 

Cuetec is probably about the best balance of "somewhat quality" and value.

It was the first cue I bought. Paid $80 for a Cuetec Jump-Break cue used. It's a 3 piece cue. I used it for about a year before I upgraded. I still use it today as my break cue. I like them because they don't tend to warp at all and they are fairly consistant.

A new one would be between $100 and $150 depending on what you get. A jump break is about $100 or so on some sites.

I think some Vikings are also affordable.

You can also try to find out what cues are discontinued. The cue I upgraded to was discontinued and I paid about $300 for it. It was a $800 cue.

If you lived closer I may have been able to work something out with you. I have about 10 cues sitting in my apartment doing absolutely nothing. Including 2 Sneeky Petes that have never been used.

PM me for more info if you like. I've played leagues for a while and helped a lot of my team mates choose their cues.

 

$50 won't get you a lot as far as cues go. If you are serious about playing pay the money and you won't be disappointed. I have to disagree with not breaking with your cue...I think that is totally misunderstood. You might break a little harder when breaking the rack than you would if you were hitting a hard draw shot. The good cues will last to this type of use...you may find yourself changing and shaping your tip more frequently though. I have a JOSS that I love but I haven't played for years. I wish I bought a Tim Scruggs back in the day when he still made sneaky petes and they were a couple of hundred.