10 Different Types of Pool Cues

Many people familiar with the game of pool might know about one or two types of available cues.

Did you know that several types of pool cues exist?

We’ve compiled a list that educates you on each pool cue to consider and when to put it into play.

Table of Contents

10 Different Types of Pool Cues

You can choose from these 10 types of pool cues:

Snooker cues
Fiberglass pool cues
American pool cues
English cues
Carbon fiber pool cues
Wooden cues
Ramin (Stock) pool cues
Lightweight cues
Medium weight cues
Heavyweight cues

Now that you know the different types, let’s dive into a more detailed explanation for each stick.

Snooker Cues

Quick hits:

The longer length works for any type of cue game
A stable cue, helping keep shots accurate
A long-lasting option (due to Ashwood construction)

Snooker cues are normally made with Ashwood and typically run about 57 inches in length. They offer a brass connector with a 9-10mm tip.

The larger tip provides a larger surface for striking the ball.

Consider These Five Snooker Cues

Mark Richard handmade cue
- 57-inch
- 9.5mm tip
- Weight 19.5oz.
Youse 3/4 jointed cue
- 57-inch
- 8.8-9.6 mm tip
- Weight 20 oz.
Weichster 3/4 snooker cue
- 57.25-inch
- 9.3-9.5mm tip
- Weight 17.5-19.5oz.
CUESOUL handcraft 3/4 jointed cue
- 57-inch
- 9.5mm tip
- Weight 18oz.
Jonny 8 Ball Spider
- 45-inch
- 8mm tip
- Weight 17-20oz.

Also read: Pool Cue vs Snooker Cue – How Are They Different?

Fiberglass Pool Cues

Quick hits:

A lighter option, helping with power shots
Works well for breaking
Easy to handle, making for more precise moves

Fiberglass is a lighter material, making it a good option for beginners.

As opposed to heavier wooden sticks, you should find these easier to move around with if you’re beginning your pool-playing journey.

Two types of fiberglass cues exist:

Joint
Pin

You should discover that the joint type allows for better cue control. Use the pin type to gain more power from their titanium pin construction.

Consider These Three Fiberglass Cues

Avid Era 95-321NW cue
- 29-inch
- 12.75mm tip
- Pin: 3/8 x 14
Scorpion GRP02 cue
- 29-inch
- 13mm tip
- Pin: 3/8 x 14
Avid Era 95-323NW cue
- 29-inch
- 12.75mm tip
- Pin: 3/8 x 14

American Pool Cues

Quick hits:

Many weights available, making it easy to find the perfect stick
Easy to hit larger balls because of the bigger tips
Made with maple wood, providing a smooth playing experience

You’ll find that American cues range in length from 57” to 58”, representing the standard size inside the U.S. pool cue sector.

However, it’s possible to find American cues of varying lengths. If you want extra-short or extra-long sticks, then they’re available to you.

Most American cues use maple wood. They’re usually available in varying weights. You shouldn’t have trouble finding the perfect weight for your particular pool style.

Many professional players like to select handcrafted American cues. If you want a custom stick, as well, then you can find that option.

Consider These Two American Pool Cues

The 58-inch PhoenixHit pool cue makes for an excellent choice.

Another popular American pool cue is the Eight Ball Mafia EBM02 model.

English Cues

Quick hits:

These cues work well for snooker games, too, because of the 59-inch lengths
English cues are high-quality options (one good one is all you need)
You’ll achieve better overall control with English cue stability

Greater control is one of the best benefits brought to your game when we’re talking about English cues.

It’s the butt that helps with control. It’s conveniently placed, meaning it should help you when you’re attempting to sink longer, more difficult shots.

You might find it hard to differentiate snooker cues from this type. The reason? It’s because both styles use a similar length.

Most English cues sit at a standard 57-inches in length. Snooker sticks typically range in size between 56- to 59-inches.

Consider These Two English Cues

CUESOUL makes a nice English cue. They use maple wood and offer three different weights to help you find your perfect stick.

Would you rather use a longer cue? Try out the AB Earth. It’s a two-piece cue that gives you 58 inches in length.

Carbon Fiber Pool Cues

Quick hits:

Unlike wood, for example, these cues won’t warp
Simple to clean, making maintenance easy
They help reduce cue ball deflection, providing greater control

You’ll have a cue made of extremely strong material when selecting a carbon fiber pool cue.

A carbon fiber cue offers a lightweight option. However, it’s also a sturdy material, meaning you’ll gain greater control using it.

The downside to this type of construction is that it’s hard to make self-repairs if your cue becomes damaged.

You’ll also need a larger budget to buy a carbon fiber pool cue. These babies cost more than many other options on the market.

Consider These Two Carbon Fiber Pool Cues

The Meucci Carbon Fiber Pro Shaft V2 makes for an excellent choice if you consider yourself an intermediate pool player.

Starting out on your pool playing journey and need a beginner model? Try the Technology Low Deflection Billiard stick from KONLLEN.

Wooden Pool Cues

Quick hits:

Built for high impact shots
A lightweight option that helps your aiming skills
Made with those familiar leather tips

If you’re more of a traditionalist when playing pool, then you’ll appreciate a vintage wooden pool cue.

Other types of cues make it hard to duplicate the sound that occurs after hitting a ball with a wooden cue.

If you’re looking to get good at tricks such as jumps or spins, then look for a wooden pool cue made with a softer tip. Keep in mind that softer tips wear out more easily than harder tips.

Of course, you can easily find harder tips if they fit your style better.

Consider These Two Wooden Pool Cues

Try out the AB Earth Maple Hardwood 2-Piece cue when buying a wooden pool cue. Another solid option is the Iszy Billiards Canadian Maple cue.

Also read: Graphite Pool Cues vs. Wood Pool Cues – What’s the Difference?

Ramin (Stock) Cues

Quick hits:

Best one-piece cue to use in the club
Helps with precise shots, due to its stability
Great for fun, but not tournaments

You’ll find Ramin sticks in your local pub or bar. They’re the cues that typically come with a pool table. That’s why many people refer to them as stock cues.

Professionals don’t use Ramin cues. Stock sticks offer a cheaper, one-piece option for anyone looking to have a little fun with a home pool table or over a couple of drinks at the bar.

It’s difficult to become a great player if you stick to stock cues. They aren’t built for accuracy due to the detachable tips.

Consider These Two Ramin Pool Cues

Again, there isn’t much difference between the various stock sticks. However, consider the Viper 1-Piece or Valley House Bar sticks as solid options.

Lightweight Cues

Quick hits:

Prevent slips more easily with lightweight sticks
Longer shots benefit from extra power
Clear the table as you play the game more quickly

As with most things in life, lighter weight brings extra fluidity. Lightweight sticks offer extra handling skills to the intermediate or expert player.

Most lightweight sticks weigh in at less than 20 ounces. They’re easier to maneuver than heavier pool cues.

Beginners love lightweight pool cues because they reduce the chances of slippage. You’ll find that lightweight cues help your power shots.

Consider These Two Lightweight Pool Cues

If you’re looking for more power in your game, then look at the Viper Commercial or Aska L2 Billiard Cue.

Medium-Weight Cues

Quick hits:

Excellent choice for bar owners. The intermediate weights offer quality choices for different types of patrons
Easily handle these medium-weight sticks
Good choice for beginner to intermediate players

Most people find medium-weight pool sticks simple-to-use. These types of cues weigh in at about 20 ounces.

Beginners should consider medium-weight cues. These offer a quality starting point when lighter options don’t feel comfortable enough.

Starting with these sticks should help you decide how weight affects your game. If it’s too heavy, go down to lightweight cues. If it feels too light, you can move up to the next weight class.

Medium-weight pool cues work well for pubs and bars. They’ll match up well with the various needs of different customers.

Consider These Three Medium-Weight Pool Cues

Do you need to stock your bar with additional pool cues? Look into the Viper Junior 48-inch, Aska Mixed Length, or Iszy Short 48-inch 2-Piece medium cues.

Heavy-Weight Cues

Quick hits:

Spinning works great with heavier sticks
Advanced players typically like the heavier cues
Use these pool cues for the power shots

Use heavy-weight cues if you’re more advanced and looking to advance your trick skills.

Heavier sticks don’t work as well as light cues for the straight-line shots. They work well to help you perform side spins, however.

Beginner players typically have trouble maneuvering heavy-weight sticks. It’s hard to get the ball moving fast enough. The result? A slow-moving shot without much power.

No matter what skill level you possess, you should try a heavier option to see if you like the feel. Some players simply do better when using a heavier weight class.

Consider These Three Heavy-Weight Pool Cues

Trademark Games makes a nice heavy pool cue called the 40-TIBLU Metallic Blue Titanium stick.

The Iszy Billiards 58-inch Harwood Canadian Maple and the Viper Graphstrike 58-inch 2-Piece Fiberglass Graphite work well, too.

Conclusion

It’s your turn.

Take time to experiment with the various types of pool cues. Then, work on that table as your skills improve!

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