A billiard glove
Every player wears one out eventually. Ask which hand they bridge with (usually the left for right-handed players).
Gifts for Pool Players: 15 Ideas They'll Actually Use
Shopping for someone who plays pool? These are gifts players really use, sorted by budget. If you are not sure what they have, a case, a glove or good chalk is always safe: every player wears them out.
Under $25
Premium chalk
Serious players are picky about chalk, and better chalk means fewer miscues. A few cubes make a great stocking stuffer.
A tip tool
Shapes and scuffs the cue tip so it holds chalk. Small, cheap, and used every week.
A rack template
Gives a perfect frozen rack every time. Great for players who practice at home or run a weekly tournament.
A shaft cleaner and slicker
Keeps the shaft smooth and clean so it glides through the bridge.
$25 to $100
A training cue ball
A cue ball with dots shows exactly how much spin a player puts on it. Great for learning draw and English.
A hard cue case
Protects the cue from warping and dings. A 2x2 case holds two butts and two shafts.
A pool instruction book
A good book on aiming, position play or the mental game is a gift that keeps paying off.
A jump cue
A short, light cue for jumping over blocking balls. Popular with 9-Ball and 10-Ball players.
A wall cue rack
For anyone with a home table: keeps cues straight and off the floor.
Big gifts
A new playing cue
The gift every player wants. Most players like 18 to 20 ounces and a 12 to 13 mm tip; ask their weight if you can.
A break cue
A hard tip and stiff shaft for a powerful break. It also saves the tip on their playing cue.
A tournament ball set
A quality set of balls plays truer and lasts for decades on a home table.
A tournament entry
Pay their entry into a big local event. Find one on our big tournaments page, then wrap a printout of the flyer.
A home pool table
The biggest pool gift there is. Read our home pool table buying guide first: room size matters most.
Tips
- Not sure about cue weight or tip size? A case, a glove or chalk are safe picks every time.
- Players are particular about cues. If you buy one, keep the receipt, or give a gift card with a printout of the cue you picked.
- Pair any gift with a night out: find a tournament this weekend and go watch them play.
More gear guides
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