Reddit mentions: The best cue sticks & accessories

As said really, there is no best as everyone has preferences. I play with Xiguan tips which are a Chinese layered tip, they're pretty soft but I love them, best of all they're seriously cheap, current price is £6.48 for 10 tips on eBay. If you like something a bit harder then Cuesoul tips are also really good, come in different hardnesses and again are really cheap at £10 for 6 tips from Amazon.

I've tried many others such as Elkmaster, Blue Diamond, Kamui and Talisman. Didn't like the first two. Kamui's do play really well but they glaze over so fast so I end up scuffing them multiple times a session and they don't last 5 minutes. Talismans used to be great but they're crap now and always delaminate on me, not sure if they've changed the glue or what but they suck.

As for break cues, any phenolic tip will do the trick. They're kinda tricky to fit where you can't trim them to size easily without a lathe, so I'd suggest getting a professional to do that for you, but with regular leather tips you can fit them yourself.

If you're fitting them yourself btw (which I'd recommend if you're trying a few out, it's always a great skill to learn anyhow as tips don't last forever) then this video will help tremendously. Couple of things though:

I find the removal of the tip and old glue much easier if you rip off the tip, then apply some superglue debonder to a rag and then just rub back and forth over the ferrule where the old glue is until it comes off and you're left with a perfectly clean and flat surface. Then allow it to dry for like 10 minutes and you'll be good to go.

Also, you can trim down the tip flush to the ferrule with one of these tools which is basically a giant pencil sharpener, which you'd use like this. You can trim a tip flush to the ferrule in less than a minute with this thing.

i disagree on saving for a 200 cue. sure if your going to be playing in a couple years and you know it for a fact then its a good idea , but if you want something cheap and reliable just to see if its even something you want to stick with your current budget is fine imo.

a lucky by mcdermott or valhalla by viking will suit your needs.

all your looking for at this price range is a consistent cue that you can get used to.

I have personal experience with a lucky cue, my friend shoots with it and it is exactly what you seem to want right now a bare bones solid cue.

hes been playing with it for around three years and the shaft is still straight.

Im going to tell you something if you end up sticking with this game you will probably want to upgrade even if you buy a 150 or 200 dollar cue.

lucky -
https://www.seyberts.com/lucky-cue-l7


valhalla -
https://www.amazon.com/Valhalla-Viking-Piece-Stick-Irish/dp/B076BVFHWQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522192879&sr=8-1&keywords=valhalla%2Bcue&th=1

just my .02

Wow great reply. The amazon one looks pretty good and I'm totally comfortable with that price. The customization of the second one would probably be great if I had any strong opinions.

This is the office cue that seems to be the best we have: https://www.amazon.com/50-off-Spider-19-20oz-billiard-retail/dp/B00G87LCFQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1482432174&sr=1-5&keywords=spider+pool+cue

I do enjoy the sort of modern design aesthetic, but if the C950 is a better value for consistent performance then I'll probably just pick that up. Your thoughts?

I recommend you to read about cue tips. This is an exact point of impact . Having a good cue tip is crucial for decent сueing.

Here is some short tables for begginers, just to understand the difference.
When you look at the number of pool cue tips there are available today, it can be extremely overwhelming. That's why I've created this Cue Tip Tables. I hope it would help people. Anyway:
>You will just have to experiment & find what works best for you.


The methodology we use for testing tip density is as follows:

• Use a standard Shore A Durometer (0-100 hardness scale)
  
• 1Kg (2.2 lbs) of pressure
  
• Measure the density of three tips per brand
  
• Take the average of the three measurements to determine a density rating
  
  Soft tips
  
  
• more cue ball spin
  
• more maintenance
  

• frequent replacement
  

  
  

  Tip Brand | Tip Size | Hardness
  

  --------|:--------:|---------:
  Kamui Black (Super Soft)| 14mm | 67.5
  Elk Master | 10mm-14mm | 66.8
  Moori soft | 14mm | 72.8
  
  Medium tips
  
  

• balance between cue ball control and consistency
  
• usually preinstalled by manufacturers as the standard tip
  

• plays consistently with less maintenance
  

  
  

  
  

  Tip Brand | Tip Size | Hardness
  

  --------|:--------:|---------:
  Fuji (Medium)| 13mm | 78.5
  Tiger Emerald | 10mm-14mm | 78.2
  Kamui Black (Medium) | 14mm | 78.5
  
  
  Hard tips
  
  

• create less spin
  
  
• require less maintenance
  
  

• are more liable to miscue
  

  
  

  Tip Brand | Tip Size | Hardness
  

  --------|:--------:|---------:
  Zan (Hard)| 13mm - 14mm | 87.4
  Kamui Black (hard) | 13mm-14mm | 84.8
  Bufallo (Hard) | 14mm | 86.8
  

I play with a Viper Elite Series - Amber now as my main cue. It was bought as a gift from Amazon.

The first one I got was warped pretty bad - I assume this happened during shipping? I sent it back and received a replacement and I've been pretty happy with it. I got the 20 oz, which is great for me since I prefer a heavier cue. Well worth the money for a starter cue IMO.

I've really enjoyed the cuetec prestige series cue I bought as my first cue. Got it off Amazon for around $100, so it's within your price range. Great cue for the money, and it's fiberglass coated meaning it can take a beating or neglect. As a first cue, I think that's important. I accidentally left it in my car once and had no issues with warping whatsoever. The shaft is smooth and the weight is variable, which allowed me to play around with finding what was right for me. The veltex grip feels great to the touch, even if it's not as popular as Irish linen. The design is a bit more simplistic, but that's what I was going for.

https://www.amazon.com/Cuetec-Prestige-2-Piece-Canadian-Billiard/dp/B000K2IX0C/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=cuetec%2Bpool%2Bcues&qid=1564410468&s=gateway&sprefix=cuetec&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1

Hopefully that helps. Good luck in your search!

Have you talked to a ball driller and explained your condition? They might be able to do something with the pitch of the thumb hole and or something else. If you are talking about having problems on the back of your thumb then go buy hada patches asap, I use them all the time and can't imagine bowling without one now. https://www.bowlingindex.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BI&Category_Code=FA&Product_Code=FG-AC-VHPCut Never bought from that site but that's the product. If you're looking to reduce excessive moisture I highly recommend trying this http://www.amazon.com/Kegel-Sweat-Hand-Drying-Spray/dp/B00A4NN7RG I was hesitent to try it but now I use it everytime I bowl, just make sure to wash your hands after because you will want your hands to be able to sweat when you'e not bowling. You only have to apply it once before you bowl. Good luck and keep us posted. Also if you are using white tape inside your thumb you definitely don't want to be using it on the back of your thumb hole, way too much friction. I do see some people using it that way but it blows my mind on how their thumbs don't rip open.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GVHF7O/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_BgrAub1XWBRD9

I got that cue for my kids to use. I think it's great, and well worth the price. It has good solid feel, and the length is perfect for my 9 year old.

I use this tip shaper, then get it down to a perfect dome with an emery board.

Once it's a good shape, scuff up the leather with the rough part of the tip tool, chalk it up and tap it with the back of the tool a few times.

edit: idk who downvoted this but it's a pretty standard method, and the It's George is an excellent tool.

When you say nothing fancy what does that mean? Do you want a hard case, or a soft case? Do you want a strap to carry it on your back or is a handle enough. Maybe just under your arm. Are you looking for protection or just something to carry the cues easily? Do you need pockets on it?

I am assuming you want cheap... but don't expect them to last forever or hold up to serious use. I used to buy the cheapo amazon cases below and after buying several because they wear out, I decided to buy a JB Rugged (you get what you pay for). Jb cases are super protective, and you can get them as plain or as fancy as you want, but they are quality. https://jbcases.com/stock-cases.html?cat=8

There are plenty of nicer more expensive options that will last a long time and have a simple design. That is not what I am listing below.

Here is the simplest thing you could get:
https://www.amazon.com/Cuetec-Billiard-Pool-Cue-Accessory/dp/B00G8ZENZY

Here is a cheapo case, but dont expect it to hold up to heavy use or wear.
https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Billiard-Stick-Carrying-Black/dp/B0060BANBO/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1479599796&sr=1-4&keywords=cue+case

Here is a soft cue case:
https://www.amazon.com/Mizerak-P1816-Padded-Cue-Case/dp/B014SLCS1K/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1479599861&sr=1-4&keywords=soft+cue+case

Here is a hard suitcase style case.
https://www.amazon.com/Casemaster-Deluxe-Billiard-Complete-2-Piece/dp/B000TNNJNS/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1479599972&sr=1-5&keywords=hard+cue+case

> I'd get a cheap break cue rather than changing the tip... you can probably find one for $50 and a tip change will cost you 30 in a lot of places anyway

For the same amount, I'd just get this break cue (which I did buy) - http://www.amazon.com/Rage-Heavy-Hitter-Break-25-Ounce/dp/B00EAIF6SY. I used to just break with my playing cue too, but I tried out my friend's break cue and love the heaviness of it (since I'm not a hard breaker) and just let the weight of the cue spread the balls for me. My break % has jumped at least 20-30%

I bought this one. Not only is it a fantastic break cue, it's a three piece and makes for a solid short cue as well!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EAIF6SY/

I like the 'It's George'.