Pool Cues | Billiards Cues

There are many different training styles and materials available for someone who is looking to improve their billiards skills. I am going to focus on the best three training systems for better billiards results. The first is the combination of a laser sighted cue stick that projects a bull’s-eye target onto the ball, which has specific markings all over it to illustrate the proper spin and angles to target. Another training device is The Spider. This device is similar in that is uses lasers; the difference is that it uses lasers from the object ball instead of the cue ball. The Spider projects the line for the target, the spot on the target ball, a spot on the cue ball for where to hit it, and a line for where the cue ball will go after contact. This might be my favorite teaching tool. The last tool to consider is the BAT, or Billiard Aim Trainer. The BAT breaks down the aiming process into a simple set of measurements. Using the width of the balls as its reference, this tool breaks the ball into 4 equal vertical slices that represent aiming points for the various shot angles. The BAT doesn’t have any electronic functions, and any skill level can benefit. The simplicity of the BAT is a big bonus. Good Luck!

OK, so you’re putting together a billiards room and you need some advice on how to make it look like an authentic pool hall. First, I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you already have a table…so we’ll focus on accessories and supplies. One thing that always reminds me of a pool hall is the lights over the table. A good set of lights can go a long way toward setting the right atmosphere for your room. There are a myriad of websites offering table lights, from typical ones to sports themed stained glass beauties. It’s also important to offer any guests to your pool room the added advantage of either a bridge cue or attachable bridge heads. Another cool addition to consider could be bar stools. Players often sit between turns and, depending on the style, the stools can add to the pool hall atmosphere. There are some great high quality designer pool balls, available online, that will just blow you away. A classic addition to any pool room is a well built cue rack. The best piece of equipment available, a tight rack, is a fairly new type of rack that arranges the balls perfectly every time. Chalk holders, some talc powder, a nice table cover…its all good. Remember…pick a main theme and STICK TO IT!

There are many things a novice should consider before deciding on a pool cue. First, whether or not the player desires more control or more power. Typically, the pool cues made from harder substances will give a player more power and the cues made from softer materials will give a player more control. A good balance can be achieved between power and control. There are other factors to consider when buying pool cues…the weight, the length…even the joint. The joint is the part of the cue that connects the wide bottom section of the cue with the thin point at the top. A joint mostly determines the touch or sensation of the shot. There is also the tip of the cue and the material used for the grip (or handle) of the cue. Ultimately, the final decision is up to the individual preferences of each player. A novice player should probably consider price before style if he or she plans on keeping billiards as strictly a hobby. Would you pay hundreds of dollars for ANY piece of sports equipment for a sport you only play every now and then? The main thing to remember is that a cue can be the difference between two opponents. All other factors are identical, so a good cue can be the decider. Happy Hunting!