How To Buy A Custom Cue

The acquisition of a custom pool cue can benefit the quality of a pool players game dramatically, but only if there were some moderate skills present prior to the purchase. Nothing is worse the using a "house stick", they never have all of the amenities a pool cue requires. The weight may be right, but the cue is warped, or the balance may be perfect, but the tip is a train wreck. For a serious pool player a house cue is good for only one thing - breaking the rack, and many top players won't even use one for that purpose.

Aside from having a knowledge of the tools of the game, the most important aspect of knowing how to buy a custom cue is to know where to buy a custom cue. All because a pool cue vendor advertises custom cues, it does not mean they are custom made. A custom cue has distinct quality features, and each of those features can be changed individually. A retailer may have hundreds of pool cues on the wall, but ask them to change a handle wrap or add or remove weight and they may look at you like you are from Mars. These are not purveyors of custom pool cues, but sellers of personal pool cues - a World of difference.

The best advice in how to buy a custom cue is to find the right retailer, and try as many different models as you can. To a serious pool player, a custom cue is a very, very personal item, kind of like a guitar to a great musician. By testing different custom cues, you'll immediately know when you stroke the right one, there will be no doubt. Only look at custom cues made of seasoned hardwood, avoid aluminum or metal alloy cues unless you like hearing giggles when you enter the pool hall. If you can't afford the custom cue that is the right one, wait, save, and then make your purchase, don't waste you money on lower quality equipment.

A few custom cue basics for those just learning are a heavier weight cue retains it's balance and straightness, but adds english to shots because of the force behind it. A lighter cue is more suitable for an experienced player, as they require more skill to control ball speed with a consistent stroke. Cue tips can be hard or soft, a hard tip lasts longer but a soft tip has a better feel for the cue ball and provides more english on shot (sometimes unwanted english). Try the feel of different wraps, usually they are made of nylon, linen, or leather, choose the one that feels best to you.

Finally, if a custom cue feels right, it is right. Forget about the aesthetic qualities of the cue, you are buying a custom cue to improve your game and set a standard of consistency, not win a fashion contest.