Pool Cue Care: Tips, Chalk, Shafts and Cases
A cue that is cared for plays the same every time. Most cue problems come from a worn tip, a dirty shaft or a cue left somewhere hot or damp. A few minutes of care now and then fixes nearly all of them.
The tip
- Shape: a tip should be rounded, about the curve of a nickel or a dime. A flat tip miscues more on off-center hits. Use a tip shaper and work it lightly from the edges toward the middle.
- Scuff: a tip that has gone shiny and hard won't hold chalk. Roughen the surface lightly with a tip tool. Don't overdo it; scuffing wears the tip down.
- Mushrooming: when the tip spreads wider than the ferrule, trim the edges with a sharp blade or a tip trimmer, or have a cue repair shop do it.
- Replace it when it gets thin (a few millimeters), cracks, separates from the ferrule, or won't hold a shape. Many pool rooms and cue shops replace tips for a small fee.
Chalk
- Chalk before nearly every shot, and always before shots with spin or draw.
- Brush the chalk on with light strokes, turning the cube. Don't screw the tip into the chalk; that leaves a bare spot in the middle.
- Check the tip: it should be evenly covered with a thin layer, with no bare patches.
- Don't put chalk face-down on the rail where it will smear the cloth.
The shaft
- Wipe the shaft with a clean, dry cloth after you play to remove chalk and hand oils.
- For a deeper clean, a slightly damp cloth (not wet), then dry it right away. Wood swells with water.
- A shaft burnisher or a piece of leather can smooth the wood. Avoid sandpaper unless you know what you are doing; it removes wood and changes the taper.
- If your hand sticks to the shaft, wipe it clean or use a glove rather than powder, which ends up everywhere.
Storage and travel
- Use a case. Even a simple soft case protects against dings.
- Never leave a cue in a hot car or a damp basement. Heat and humidity are the main causes of warping.
- Store it upright in a rack or flat in a case, not leaning in a corner.
- Screw the joint together by hand, snug but not forced. Keep the joint and pin clean.
Is my cue warped?
Roll the assembled cue on a flat table, or look down it like a rifle while you turn it. A small wobble in the shaft is common and often doesn't matter; a big one does. A cue repair shop can tell you whether it can be straightened.
Shopping for a new one? Read how to choose a pool cue.