Billiard Cue Test 

Let me show you how to differentiate between a good billiard cue stick and a bad billiard cue. Seen any billiards table around, if you do, place an object ball in the middle of the billiards table and a cue ball on the headstring. Now use the billiard cue stick you are going to test and do a straight shot with controlled strength so that when you hit the object ball with the cue ball, the object ball barely drops into the pocket. Important note: when you strike the cue ball, remember the feel and the sound of it. Next place the object ball and cue ball back to their original position again. Now do another straight shot again, but with strength of a breaking shot, and remember the feel and sound again.

What do you get from the data above after the test? The billiard cue stick should feel and sound the same. If the billiard cue stick vibrates more forceful during the more forceful break shot, then it is not a good sign. If the billiard cue stick gives a ting sound or is different from the first shot, then there is a flaw with the billiard cue stick.

Why do you get these different feel and sound? That is a prove that the billiard cue stick is absorbing part of the power of the stroke, which is not desirable, a good billiard cue stick should tranfer almost all the power to the cue ball and not absorb by it.

A proper balance of the billiard cue stick is important. If the front end of the billiard cue stick is heavier than the butt, then you may need some weight to rectify the inbalance.

The number of points and inlays is also a deciding factor on the price of the billiard cue stick. The tips of the points should be sharp even when scutinized closely with your own naked eye. If you ever see a billiard cue stick with the points that are rounded, you can be sure that the cuemaker is cutting out the time spent on the points. Hardwood points have to be deep, they are to stabilize the base wood.

Now let's look at the designand aesthetics of the billiard cue stick. You should look at the points, whether are they evenly spread around the billiard cue stick. Look at the height of the points too, are they the same? Is the wrap evenly positioned? Are the inlays balanced and symmetrical to each other? And those rings, are all of them the same size and positioned at the right place?

Then you should look at the finishing of the billiard cue stick. Are they gloss enough? How thick is it?

With the points I have shown you above, you can be sure to choose the correct billiard cue stick for yourself.

Go back to billiard parlor contents for more billiard tips. >