Pool cues

[Phat Mack]

Never buy a cue you haven't played with.

Hit balls with the largest variety of cues you can find, then buy the one with the sweetest hit.

After the first one or two hundred dollars, you are paying for cosmetics. I've owned Joss Wests worth thousands of dollars, but they didn't hit any better than a $15 Adams I bought in the 70s. (Bill, I hope you're not reading this.) An un-jointed wall cue that is properly maintained and has a proper tip is as good as any cue made, but may be a problem to transport. (Haven't I seen snooker players with unjointed cues?)

Many american nine-ballers have two or more cues; one for breaking. Power breaks can damage some joints and ferrules. I play with a Schuler and don't worry about it, but if you are going to spend money on a fancy cue, you might consider a break cue, or breaking off the wall.