Compare cue length, weight, shaft, tip and joint against your table and playing style. Weight and tip options vary by model: for example, McDermott lists weight options from 18 to 21 ounces on most of its cues. Maple, low-deflection and carbon-fiber shafts have different feel and deflection characteristics, so use the maker's exact specifications rather than treating one size as universal.
A house cue can be warped, chipped and the wrong weight. Your own cue makes play consistent.
Specs
| Spec | Typical range | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Compare the exact model | Shorter cues can help in tight rooms |
| Weight | Compare the exact model | Heavier and lighter cues feel different; try before choosing when possible |
| Shaft | Maple, low-deflection, carbon | Deflection and feel |
| Tip diameter | Compare the exact model | The maker’s specified size is the one to match |
| Tip hardness | Soft, medium, hard | Soft grips more, hard lasts longer |
| Taper | Pro, European | How the shaft narrows |
| Joint | Steel or wood-to-wood | Feel and hit |
| Wrap | Irish linen, leather, wrapless | Grip |
Shaft types
| Shaft | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Standard maple | Traditional wood construction | Deflection and feel depend on the shaft design |
| Engineered or low-deflection wood | Maker-specific wood construction | Check the exact maker’s description and specifications |
| Carbon fiber | Composite shaft construction | Check the model’s diameter, joint, care and warranty |
Break and jump cues
Break and jump cues are designed for different shots, and their construction varies by model. Compare each maker’s tip, shaft and joint specifications, and check the rules of your league before choosing a specialty cue.
Care
Store cues in a case away from heat and humidity, keep the shaft clean and shape the tip as it wears. Compare maple, engineered and carbon-fiber shafts before choosing a replacement.
As one manufacturer-specific example, McDermott lists 18 to 21 ounce weight options on most models; ranges differ by maker and cue.
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Common questions
What weight pool cue should I get?
Cue weight is a model-specific preference. Compare the options for the exact cue; McDermott, for example, lists 18 to 21 ounce options on most of its models.
What is a low-deflection shaft?
A shaft designed to reduce how far the cue ball pushes off line when you apply side spin.
What tip size is standard?
Most pool cues use 12.5 to 13 mm tips. Smaller tips suit precise players.
Do I need a break cue?
A dedicated break cue with a hard tip protects your playing cue's tip and shaft from hard breaks.