Posted: 1/7/2004 6:11:19 PM EDT
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Just wondering if anyone here plays pool. The reason I was asking is I am in the market for a nice pool cue and would like some input on experience and that kind of thing. I am looking to spend under $200 and I know this isn't a LOT of money but I have seen some cues that fit my price range that seem pretty nice. I like the Cuetechs, they seem pretty nice. I also really like the Mcdermott cues, they make a few under $200. So anyone here have any opinions on those cues? |
| McDermott's are good, I started out with a Pointer (same level but Graphite) but I think they got bought out by someone else. I recently won a Mucci in a tournament, that thing was nice but I gave it to my brother in law. I don't play as much any more and he does. Try E-bay for a Mucci or a pointer before you buy new. You may be able to find a really good deal. |
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Meucci....however a new one, that is nice, will be a little north of $200. Used would be a fine proposition.... I used a Viking cue once upon a time...they were pretty nice at $150 range..they may have gone up.... Joss is pretty decent...a little bit higher than $200...a few available around $220 Need to feel it to like it..... |
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Quoted: WHat is the high-end "Lunatic Fringe" for a pool cue and how much does one cost? Joss-East made some nice assed cues. My buddy has one worth $6000.00. Won it from a guy at the local hall who thought he was doing the hustling. Schon makes some sick cues as well. For $200 you can get a decent Mali cue. I have one and it is a decent cue. Meucci makes some decent cues. Or you could go for a nice low-key "sneaky pete". You could get a Joss for $200 but you may be better off saving just a bit more. |
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Out of the Malis Muccis, Vikings, and McDermotts I liked the Mali. I've been playing with it for 5 years now and I still like it. I can't remember exaclty how much I paid but it was under $200. Any of those would be fine, but it would be best to try and handle a couple to see which one feels the best to you. |
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Quoted: I paid for 4 years of college bartending in a pool hall. I paid for my tabs playing! [:D] [url]http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/Attachments/DownloadAttach.asp?iImageUnq=21383[/url] I use a Meucci "Sneaky Pete" to break. What kind of stick is that? By the way, is the whole "Sneaky Pete" thing strictly for hustlers? I understand the concept but if one is to spend a lot of money on a cue, why not get one that looks nice too? Don't you think your opponent will figure out you are a good player by the shots you make, not just your cue??? |
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I made alot of money when I was in high school off of guys with $1k+ pool cues that thought there was no way a punk kid with a $30 Dufferin was going to take their money. Half the time my only "hustle" was being young. If you're not planning on walking around like big king shit, and just want a nice cue, and think you're actually good enough to benefit from one, go for it. I like the Meuccis myself, but even winning tournaments, taking people's money (even had to have my friend drive one dude to the ATM), I never thought I was good enough for a pricey cue. |
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That's a Schon limited edition. It's a great stick, good balance for me. I also have a 12.5mm tip which fits my playing style and a couple of different shafts. (This is out of your price range you gave) I personally think that is a misnomer regarding the Sneaky Pete. After working in a pool hall, sometimes friends or other people are intimidated by a "fancy" pool cue. It's more for me to fit my style (type of shaft, weight, tip, etc) than to hustle anyone. If I play serious, I play with the Schon. The drawback with some Meucci cues is they tend to have a thin feral (white part you glue the tip on). I cracked mine after 6 months and replaced with a thicker feral. |
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Anothor vote for used Meucci. The model with the paying cards on the butt wasn't too high end. I had a Sneaky Pete once. Really, if your opponent doesn't recognize that you have a two- piece cue that's longer than the bar cues, he should just hand you the money and walk away. Why not get a fancier one? So every jackass in the joint doesn't come up and say "Man! What kind of cue is that?" |
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A [b]true[/b] shark can whip the ass of any "A-E" league player any day of the week, and twice on Sunday, using a house cue and a liberal amount of chalk. [;)] You rarely find a shark playing for prizes, or for fun and they rarely carry an ornately inlayed $12,000 custom Joss cue, in a hard case. I've played with a few, and learned from a few. I am by no means a pool player but was once upon a time.... I never played games with unknowns...easy money; isn't. |
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I actually don't hit the bar scene too much. I play at my table at home amongst friends who come over once in a while. I have a few low end China 2 piece cues that I have been using and I just think they have A LOT of deflection. I say that because I went to a billiards store and they let you test play sticks. I was making some very hard shots that I never could make with my own house cues. I don't know if it was just mental or what but the nicer cues just felt more solid. I am not looking to hustle really at all, hell, I would probably lose my ass anyway. I would like to elevate my game however and that is why I am looking at improving my equipment. Do you guys think that a nice cue can elevate one's game or is it just mental??? |
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Quoted: ...Do you guys think that a nice cue can elevate one's game or is it just mental??? Much like with shooting, equipment cannot take the place of practice, practice, practice... I grew up with a cue in my hand - my Dad always had a table & now I have one in my own house. My "pool hall" a couple of weeks ago (thus the Christmas tree & gifts): [img]http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/Attachments/DownloadAttach.asp?iImageUnq=21447[/img] The only "expensive" cue I own is a Meucci I won in a college tournament - and it stays in its hard case. I play with the "house cues" & I don't think my game suffers for it. But I'm not a professional & I haven't played for money in years, so... |
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It could help a little.....a straight, well balanced sneaky pete cue, in the proper weight for your game would be a good buy.... I have and old Excalibur $100 cue that sits in the corner and I played with the Maple "house cues" I bought..... I played as well with either one...table was shit and the balls were old.... A good cue will cut misstuck balls down a bit, it also balances better than a standard house cue.... It will help nominally.... |
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Not to repeat too much, but a good stick doesn't make a bad player good. Practice and good fundamentals make you better period. A good player with a house stick is still good. A good player with a good stick that practices with that stick alot is even better. Smart players know their game and what shots they can make and can read the table after the break. Play the shots you can make, play safe when you can't make the shot. |
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I think it can help tremendously, if the cues you have now are like those old Budweiser promotional cues. Those things shook, rattled, warped etc. right out of the box. Look around & see if you've got a local Dufferin dealer. My $30 stick I got at walmart is still in great shape, albeit several tips later. |
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http://www.schulercue.com/products/cues.htm They used to make an onyx cue for around 100,000. I have one their dealer figured was a snooker cue cut down. It is longer than a standard cue, but shorter than the snooker cue. I didn't know who made it and got it overseas. He said because the break was specific to them. |
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http://www.schulercue.com/products/cues.htm They used to make an onyx cue for around 100,000. I have one their dealer figured was a snooker cue cut down. It is longer than a standard cue, but shorter than the snooker cue. I didn't know who made it and got it overseas. He said because the break was specific to them. |
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Thanks for the input everyone, I wound up with a Mcdermott. I went to a place called "Billiards Factory" where they have a wall of cues and believe it or not, a table to try out any cue they have on the wall. I almost bought a Meucci he had, it was listed at $375 and it had a lot of inlay with the red bullseye thing on the shaft. He said because he had it so long he would let it go for 50% off. So about $175. I was stoked, until I tried shooting with it. I couldn't make a shot with that cue. The manager that helped me (ex pro) was missing pretty bad too with that cue. Upon further inspection, the shaft had a nasty tweak in it that wasn't noticeable just by rolling it on the table. So I started hitting with a Cuetec and that pretty good, very solid. Then I started playing with the Mcdermott, I said, "mama, I'M home"!!! It just feels awesome. Here a couple of pics: [url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=87266&c=500&z=1"][img]http://www.hunt101.com/img/087266.JPG[/img][/url] [url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=87267&c=500&z=1"][img]http://www.hunt101.com/img/087267.JPG[/img][/url] Here is a gratutious shot of my table: [url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=87265&c=500&z=1"][img]http://www.hunt101.com/img/087265.JPG[/img][/url] 5 bonus points for anyone that can guess the picture in the background. |