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Have you ever been playing pool and noticed that there were different pool cue weights? Maybe this is your first time playing pool and you were wondering what pool cue weight you needed. Well, in this article we will go over everything you need to know about pool cues and the different weights they have.
So what pool cue weight should you use?
Because there are different weights of pool cues, you should practice with each one and use the one that feels the best for your particular strength. Because not everyone has the same strength, many people like lighter weighted pool cues while stronger people prefer heavier ones. You should always use the weight that feels comfortable for your arm.
If you want to know more about pool cues and what weight to use, you will want to keep reading this article. You can also check out this video to learn about exactly how pool cues are made.
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What is pool
Pool is a stately game that used to be played outside like croquet with mallets and balls. It transferred indoors for some reason and became what it is today, one of the types of cue game that is played on a table with a green table cloth with a pool cue and 16 balls in all that are very hard. The objective of the game is to put all the balls into the ball pockets with the help of the cue ball and pool cue only.
If you have a pool table then you need to get this accessory kit. It includes pool cues, extra pool balls, and all the gear you need to keep your pool table in tip-top shape.
If you are tired of your kids (or friends) ruining your good pool cue when they play then having these extra ones will keep that from happening (just be sure to hide your good one!).
Are there different pool cues?
It is always better to choose a pool cue weight based on their personal abilities as well as their own height at executing the pool cue. Typically, the range for pool cues is 18, 19, 20 and 21 ounces, with 1/2 ounce intervals in-between. That is the standard scale that every pool cue manufacturer is wont to use on their productions. There may be expectations to this and some cues may be heavier than 21 ounces or lighter than 18 ounces as per instruction.
If one uses a lighter cue weight, then the object ball will go into its designated hole much slower then wanted and the cue ball will be difficult to handle as this will create more snap with a lighter cue stick. If one uses the other end of the spectrum, the object ball will skip to the designated hole much faster and the cue ball will be much more lethargic in its place because with a heavier cue there will hardly be any snap at all.
If one is having trouble drawing the object ball or even the cue ball, then it is possible that the pool cue is too heavy for the user. A vice versa situation would mean the opposite. At this juncture it is important to keep in mind that the weight of a pool cue can be changed easily as they are not set to an exact weight but rather have an external weight bolt that can be changed if required.
Most people tend to start with a lighter pool cue as this gives them the idea as to what to look for. This gives the players an idea about if they want to go higher in the weight range or if they want to stick with something lighter. Playing as often as possible will give one the clue as to what to go for. Many people are always looking to know what style will complement their playing and what will complete their game play on the table and off it indeed.
What pool cue should I choose?
For a break cue, the optimum weight for maximum cue ball speed will depend on your arm anatomy, muscle physiology and technique with timing. The only way to find that sweet spot where all these intersect is to play pool as much as possible and experiment with different weights to get a good overview as to what weight pool cue will go with someone’s play technique.
This is not a mere matter of physics, as some people just have an inherent faster-twitch muscle fibers than others like them within the same age and professional acumen. Because of this, cue selection can indeed be a very personal thing over all. Not to mention that some will just favour a particular weight irrespective of their performance due to that pool cue just because they are used to that weight.
What determines the cue ball’s speed is the pool cue’s mass and speed at impact with the object ball. The cue ball speed and direction is what is being targeted with the pool cue and the pool cue is determined by the weight it can either pass or have. For example, if the cue has more mass behind it or the throw, the cue ball will go faster. It will go just as fast if the cue simply has more speed behind it as well.
Some people can generate more force behind the pool cue for the cue ball while others can bring forth more speed from the pool cue for the cue ball. The end result is that both the times the cue ball goes faster, but one just tends to be more in control with the shooter than the other because of the weight of the pool cue and therein is the difference between a heavier and light weight pool cue.
Still, professionals err on the side of caution and normally go for a lighter one to begin with at least. So when choosing a cue, many professionals will use a 20 ounce stick at first but transfer to a 19 ounce soon enough or even a 19 and ½ ounce stick. Remember to try a lighthouse cue. This is something you can use for free and you will get to see how it feels. Another point to remember is that you can send a light cue further faster than a heavier one.
So in the end it seems that the lighter cues are the man of honour at this hour when it comes to be chosen for a pool game. This is why most people go with the lighter ones unless you are experienced with the heavier ones. You can go for the heavier ones but can always change your mind if you don’t like it. You can easily change the weight of your pool cue by simply twisting the screws, tighter or looser.
While all these have been all about choosing the right pool cue, there is one sure fire method that will give one the perfect tool for this game. The only way to know the perfect tool to use, it to simply practise, practise and practise some more. Practise never fails and it will not fail you either as you make your ultimate choice of which weight pool cue to go for. Believe in your own abilities and senses and you will come out with the best tools for yourself.
Conclusion
Now that you know that there are different pool cue weights, and you may be using the wrong size, you may want to try some different weighted pool cues to see which one fits your arm the best. You may be using the right one, but you may also be able to improve your game by changing the weight of your pool cue.