Regent Snooker Lounge

What is the difference between snooker and pool cues? The answer depends on which versions of the games you are playing. In the UK there is little if any difference. The lengths are the same generally and the tip sizes are around 9-10 mm. You can get some English pool cues that have 8 mm tips but they are the exception rather than the rule. This is because the Game of English Pool uses almost the same size balls as snooker at 2 inches vs 2 1/16 inches for snooker balls, so the tip sizes are the same.  The cues are mostly made from ash which has a heavy grained appearance although metal and plastic coated cues are gaining in popularity due to the more colourful appearance of those cues.

Talking about the cue tip that is the most important part of the cue and the most neglected, used until it is completely worn out. Remember it is the tip that makes contact with the cue ball so it is vital it is in good shape and changed often.

American pool cues on the other hand are slightly thicker and have 12 or 13 mm tips on them reflecting the fact that American pool balls are 2 ¼ inches in diameter so the cues have to be more substantial. One of the characteristics of American cues is that they are usually more colourful with their Linen wraps made of linen thread wound onto the handle or butt and glued in place. Also they tend to be made from maple which is a mostly grain free light coloured wood and gives a clean look to the cue. The wood, whether ash or maple makes no difference to the playing qualities of the cue. So choose your weapon whether it is a snooker or pool cue and have fun.

Snooker cues have a lot of mystique about them, but when it comes to actual play it is the player not the snooker cue that pulls off that impossible shot. It doesn’t need to be hand made, John Spencer had a machine made cue with a nail for extra weight and won the world championship with it . Indeed the potting machine Stephen Hendry used a standard cue to win several competitions. However the hand made cues do look good!

So when it comes to choosing a cue, get one you fancy and play with it often, until you get the feel of the cue. The weight of the cue can vary from 17 ounces (considered light) to 19 ounces (considered heavy),  how heavy you go is your preference, but most cues are in the 17 to 18 ounce range.  Average cue size is 57 in which should be ok for just about everybody unless you are particularly tall or very short.

Check to see your snooker cue is perfectly straight by looking down the shaft whilst turning it. Any warping will be immediately noticeable. Rolling the cue on the snooker table is not a good idea, as the cut out at the butt end can cause the cue to wobble giving the impression of the cue not being straight when actually it is ok.

There is a lot of accessories you can get for snooker cues these days and to make the best of them it is advisable to get a cue that splits into long shaft piece and a small butt piece so you can put extensions on it like the pros do in the tournaments. This is referred to as a three quarter split cue.  .Pool and snooker use the same sort of cue in England and the tip sizes are usually the same for both games but some of the better pool game aficionados prefer an 8 mm tip. Pool cues are more usually made from maple but snooker cues are usually made from the wood of ash.  There is nothing to choose between maple and ash, either will do nicely. As for the game in the US, they have heavier cues and tip size is 11-13 mm.

So what makes some snooker cues so expensive?  It all depends on the type of timber used to make it, some of the wood costs a lot of money, and how long it takes to make.  The cues most expensive parts are at the butt end, or the thick end, and this is where the cue makers can differentiate themselves. The butt is manufactured using all the exotic timber that you have never heard of to produce those dramatic patterns .The timbers used are from all over the world, hence the price. The wood is spliced, that is cut into different shapes and glued together to give that pleasing look to the cue.

So when choosing a cue from all the available snooker cues for sale, choose one that has a three quarter split and a ferrule at the tip (either plastic or metal) to protect the tip end of the cue and make sure it is straight. The rest is decoration. Providing you spend about £40 or more you should get a perfectly serviceable cue for playing with.So there you have it, whatever cue you choose, look after it: do not lean it on the wall, as this can lead to warping and keep it clean. Have you noticed how the pros are always wiping down their cues, this is to keep them clean so they have a smooth action when drawing the cue over the hand when making a shot. And make sure your hands are clean as well so no greasy or sticky residues are left on the cue. Another tip is to keep the tip in top condition and change it as often as necessary, they are cheap enough. If you look after your cue it won’t let you down with miscues and horrible pinging noises when you hit the ball.