We cannot talk about billiard balls without mentioning the cue stick, of course! A pool cue stick is chosen according to the body size of the player and to the discipline and play mode. This is a personal choice, but it is good to know a few details.
History
Like any other billiard equipment, billiard cue sticks have undergone some changes. In the 15th century, it was just a curved wooden stick for pushing the ball on a table. The cue stick we know today appeared in the 18th century. The cue tip, a piece of leather glued to the tip of the tail, was invented around 1823, and it revolutionized the game to create impact with the ball.
Composition
The tail can be three-quarter (1/4 barrel, 3/4 arrow), half (1/2 barrel, half arrow) or solid. Here are the various components of a cue stick:
Drums
The heel is a rubber tip that protects the drum.
The choice of the drum depends on each level of the grip of the cue stick: the texture and weight are variable. The wood used for the shaft is often noble (rosewood, ebony...). Then, it is a matter of taste: the designs of French billiard cue sticks are generally much more sober than that of snooker cue tips. The quality of the wood and the inlaid feather appearance differ, as does the price of the tail. One can have graphite barrels for the game of snooker: they are mostly accompanied by graphite arrows, forming long queues, which are less likely to deform than wooden tails.
Arrows
The choice of an arrow is important because it gives the gesture made during the game. Maple is the best material and its color is quite clear when it is good. Often used for the French or American billiard tails, maple provides good flexibility. The arrows can also be made of ash, a very strong material, used especially for snooker or English pool tails. The more flexible the arrow, the better will be the trajectory of the long balls. Conversely, the stiffer the arrow, the more it helps to refine the trajectory of the ball, but the effects will be more difficult to achieve. Therefore, flexible arrows are for precision and rigid ones for effects. It is better for beginners to choose a stiffer arrow because it makes it easier for them to introduce the balls in the pockets.
Ferrules
Ferrules were originally made of ivory, but they are currently made of plastic or metal, glued or force fitted into the boom. However, they can be replaced if necessary.
Cue tips
There are two types of cue tips: screwed and glued cue tips. The American ones are usually made of dash, blue leather. Screwed cue tips are recommended because they are more efficient during the game, but there are also glued tips, which are easier to fix.
Dimensions
The diameter of a billiard cue stick is equal to the diameter of the cue tip. A larger diameter lets you play with bigger billiard balls. Here are the standard sizes of cue sticks that can vary from one game to another:
French billiards: 140 cm with a diameter of 11 to 13 mm. The length can be reduced to a series of games (free portion or frame), more power being required in contrast to the extended set of three bands.
Bagatelle: 139 cm with a diameter of 8 to 9 mm.
Snooker: 144 cm with a diameter of 8 to 9 mm.
Pool: 147 cm with a diameter of 10 to 12 mm.
Weight
It ranges from 460 to over 600 grams. Heavier cue sticks are less suitable for three band games and series or artistic billiards. You always have to control the speed of the ball. The lighter the tail, the less power it has. However, it is advisable for beginners to opt for a little heavier cue stick (520 g) in order to avoid playing too hard and to be more precise.
Care and storage
Cleaning the barrel is quite simple, especially if it is varnished. Just wipe it with a dry cloth or one slightly moistened with water. The arrow may be cleaned with a damp cloth and then with a dry cloth. Some products also help cleanse and nourish the wood.
The cue stick can be stored in a soft case or a hard case, and the cue tip and the heel, which are less fragile, should be stored at the bottom of the case. You must isolate the chalk and avoid extreme temperatures (heat sources...).
