Picking a pool cue can be quite intimidating, because of the vast selection of cues out there.  Ironically, for the average, casual, pool player, finding a good cue might be difficult, depending on where you live.  There is a lot of junk out there at the low end of the market for cues.

I know, because I've bought them and learned the hard way.

I played pool from when I was 5 years old until I went to college with cues that were TERRIBLE!!  The cues I used were yard-sale specials with screw-on tips or slide-on tips (EEEK)...one of them was a five-piece cue that my Dad bought for me at a FURNITURE STORE for God's sake (after I begged him to, of course).  It was in a cool little carrying case and had carved designs all over it.  It looked similar to this cue....

Stay away from cues like this if you want to play good pool.

I'm not trying to affend anyone that has a cue like this.   Just know that there are much better cues out there for the same amount of money as this one or just a tad more (I saw this one selling for $39).

I found a video that does a good job of explaining what to look for when searching for a good pool cue (the video is at the bottom of this post).  I tend to agree with everything in the video.  Here are some highlights of things to look for and things to avoid in a billiard cue.

AVOID

• screw on tips
• push on tips
• brass joints (note: There are good custom cues that use brass, but they are rare.  It would be easier to assume all brass jointed cues are bad, until you learn more about what to look for)
• cheap cues will, often, have a lacquer finish on the shaft of the cue
• cues with more than one joint, unless they are a quality jump/break cue
• budweiser cues
• crooked cues
• cues sold at any big-box store like wal-mart, k-mart and sporting goods stores

DO LOOK FOR

• a quality/brand name pool cue and/or shaft (see my suggestions below)
• a good quality ferrule...this is the short piece of material that the tip attaches to
• look for a wrap or grip section of the cue that is to your liking and of high quality...if there is a wrap, a nice Irish linnen or leather is a sign of high-quality.  Some cues don't have a wrap and this is ok if it fits your preference.  Some cheaper cues have very low-quality wraps.  I had a $6 cue that picked up at a yard sale.  It had a wrap that felt like it was made from nylon line.  I didn't know any better.
• look for quality craftsmanship of the inlays, joints and ferrule.   If you run your fingers over the transitions of the inlays, butt cap, ferrule, joint, etc., you shouldn't feel a transition from one piece to the other.  It should be perfectly smooth.
• look for straightness of the cue.  Even high-quality cues can warp if abused, so don't ever assume.
• look for a good quality tip.  The tip should not be spongey, in my opinion.  They should be a good quality leather tip.  If you push on the tip with your fingernail, it shouldn't feel soft or compressible.
• if possible, hit some balls with the cue and see how you like it.

Those are some suggestions that will help to keep you from getting ripped-off when shopping for a cue.  In general it is a good idea to stick with name brand cues.  There are a couple of different quality/value tiers to choose from IMO.  Everyone may not agree on this assessment, but it is a starting point.  Please, comment if you feel I'm off-base here...

Low-end production cues (a decent choice to start out with and will be solid cue to start with)

• Player Cues, Cuetec Cues, Mali Cues, Scorpion Cues, Stealth Cues, Helmstetter Cues

Quality high-volume production cues (a solid production cue that can last a lifetime of playing and look good, too...at an affordable price)

• Meucci Cues, Viking Cues, McDermott Cues, Lucasi Cues

Higher-end/lower-volume production cues (I might get some flack for these, but I think that these cues PERFORM better than other production cues and can compete with high-end custom cues)

• Schon Cues, J. Pechauer Cues, Predator Cues, Joss Cues

There are many great custom cue makers out there that make cues that rival or surpass even the best production cues on the market.  Browse through this site to find out more about them.

Anyhow...here is the video.  It is a good starting point with solid advice.

I hope this information was helpful. If I can be of any help with your cue search, let me know.

Cheers,
Skippy