A starter one-piece or two-piece cue
Straight wood, a basic tip and a simple wrap. Fine for learning and home tables. Check that it rolls straight, and plan on upgrading the tip.
How Much Does a Pool Cue Cost? Prices by Level
You can buy a pool cue for $25 or $2,500. The good news: you do not need an expensive cue to play well. Here is what each price range gets you, so you spend where it matters.
Under $75: starter cues
A better tip
The cheapest upgrade there is. A good layered tip makes a starter cue play much better.
$75 to $250: the sweet spot for most players
A good beginner to league cue
Better shafts, layered tips, a real joint and a wrap that stays put. Most league players never need more than this.
A case to protect it
Once you own a real cue, a hard case keeps it straight. Budget $40 to $100.
$250 to $800: serious player cues
A player cue with a low-deflection shaft
Low-deflection (low squirt) shafts move the cue ball less off line when you use English. Popular with tournament players.
A separate break cue
Serious players break with a different cue to save the tip and shaft on their playing cue. Good ones start around $100.
$800 and up: custom cues
Custom cues are built by hand by cue makers, with exotic woods, inlays and a long wait list. They play beautifully, but the extra money mostly buys craftsmanship and looks, not more made balls. Buy one because you love it, not to fix your game.
Tips
- Spend on the shaft and tip first. They decide how the cue plays; the butt mostly decides how it looks.
- Most players like 18 to 20 ounces and 58 inches. If you are not sure, start at 19 ounces.
- Buying used? Roll the cue on a flat table to check it is straight, and look for cracks near the joint and ferrule.
- Read how to choose a pool cue and pool cue tips explained before you buy.
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