So you fancy yourself as some sort of pool shark, a master of the cues? Well; master, have you ever wondered why there are different kinds of pool cues: why some cues are thinner, and why some cues are thicker? Well; here at So Cal Pool Tables, we fancy ourselves as pool meisters who know a little something about the game, so allow us to shed some light on why there are various types of cues.

A typical cue is roughly 57 to 59 inches long, and weighs approximately 16 to 21 ounces. They are typically made of wood, but may be covered or bonded with sturdier materials such as fiberglass or carbon fiber. Pool cues use tips of intentionally-roughened leather to allow chalk to stick to them, but certain cues are tipped with phenolic resin (such as American Jump Cues), which allows players to hit the cue ball with more force. All cues are designed to be segmented, usually in two pieces, and can be separated by unscrewing them from each other to facilitate for easier transport and easier storage. Some cues can detach into three different sections, allowing players to customize the cue by adding different butts for certain shots.

The main difference among the cues is their thickness; which depends on the game. In a nutshell, the size of the cue ball determines the thickness of the cue. Here are the basic types of pool cues and their differences:

English Pool Cue – English Pool Cues are generally the thinnest variety of cue, with a tip width of 8 to 9 mm. They also typically use a brass ferrule, which adds a bit of strength and durability. English cues are also usually made of ash wood, which accounts for their unique and beautiful grain.

Snooker Cue – Just like the English cues, Snooker Cues are commonly made from ash, but feature a much larger tip; as snooker balls are of a larger size. They also have a ferrule that is usually made of stainless steel rather than brass. The butt of a snooker cue is flattened on one side: this is a throwback to the old maces, which were more like golf clubs that were used to shove the cue ball rather than strike it.

American Pool Cue – The American Pool Cue is made of much lighter wood (usually maple). However, it has a noticeably larger tip, at approximately 13 to 14 mm, and has a much larger ferrule that is made up of plastic which boosts the cue’s durability, and provides a measure of shock absorption for hitting the larger and much heavier balls used for American Pool.

So Cal Pool Tables offers a wide selection of MLB Team Pool Cues and NFL Team Pool Cues, as well as an Accessory Kit (which includes 4 high-quality Maple Cues) that can be bought separately, or comes free with every Pool Table package. We provide beautiful, exquisitely-crafted Pool Tables at the best prices with your choice of felt color, accessories, matching leather shields and fringe pockets. We’ll even help you with the delivery and setup. Call us up at (323) 573-3449 or (213) 840-9336, or e-mail us at socalpooltables@att.net for your questions and for more information.