September 2003
The Pool Players Best Source of Information
BUYING YOUR FIRST POOL CUE By: Craig W. Rittel owner of Full Splice Billiards 10606 Bridgeport Way, Lakewood, Washington 98499
Hello, and let introduce myself. I am originally from St. Louis, Missouri and I have been involved with this wonderful sport since the early 1970 s. I joined the US. Army in August of 1980 and retired 1 February 2003. I have always loved this sport and upon my retirement I had to make a decision what to do after the Army. With a lot of help and support from friends and the local billiard community I started selling billiard equipment in June of 2002. First from my home and then on May 28th I moved my business to a 750 sq ft storefront located in Lakewood, Washington. Lets start at the beginning, how should someone choose their first cue? This question is by no means simple and will vary depending on who is asked. But from my experience the best way to accomplish this, is to test hit balls with a variety of cues that have different weights, different joints, and different shaft sizes. Keeping this in mind I would make the following recommendations to anyone who wants to purchase a pool or billiard cue. Recommendation 1: Gather as much information as possible about cue sticks and never buy a cue stick without first testing hitting balls with the cue you intend to purchase. Some people may say that this really is not important to me because I do not know one cue stick from another and I really cannot feel a difference between cues. While their statement may be partly true, it is also incorrect, because who knows better how anything feels than the person with the cue in their hands and knowledge about a subject or not will not change how something feels. The most common mistake people seem to make when purchasing a cue stick, is made when they enter a Billiard or Gaming retail store without researching what they intend to purchase. This is further complicated by employees who are selling products for a retailer that have in most cases no more knowledge than the customer they are trying to sell the item too. In most businesses a sales person must be very familiar with the products that they sell. However, when it comes to billiards there are many retail outlets that no longer only specialize in Billiards Equipment. Most large retail outlets today sell a broad range of products from pool tables and accessories to pin ball machines. This lack of specialized knowledge is very easy to identify in the following manner. In most cases all you will have to do is ask the sales person if you can test a particular cue stick by making some shoots with it. In many cases the buyer will find that, retailers do not even have a pool table set up for this purpose ( How can you purchase a cue without making some shots with it). Next ask the sales person where the chalk is, this in most cases will get you a startled look and the following answer, we do not allow our customers to chalk pool cues in this store (How can you test a cue without chalking the tip) and by the way please do not shoot too hard if you damage it you bought it ( if you are told not to shoot hard because you may damage the cue, it may be time to think about another brand). But all is not lost; because this is the easiest problem for the player to fix, either the equipment retailer will allow you to chalk the cue and test hit some balls with it, or you should serious consider making a purchase somewhere else. If enough people demand to be treated correctly things can change. The feel of a particular cue is the most important factor in a cue selection. This factor will determine more than any other, the way you will play using this cue and this is not influenced by the price of the cue. The feel of a cue is known to most accomplished players as the cues hit. The way a cue hits, is a direct reflection of the materials used in construction, the construction techniques, the balance and weight of the cue, along with the cues tip. Hit quickly translated, is the harmonic vibrations that resonate through the cue when the tip strikes the cue ball. Keeping this in mind, it should be easy to understand that no two cues will ever hit exactly alike. I can not even recall how many times I have heard people say WOW I need to get one of those cue sticks, and while two identical cues will in most cases have a similar hit, the hit will never be identical. There will always be minor differences in the way a cue feels when it strikes the cue ball. In addition, what is a good hit, weight, and feel to one person is not always the same to someone else. This is why without test hitting balls with a cue the buyer in many cases is unsatisfied after the purchase. Recommendation 2: Check the cue for defects in the cues construction. This is not a very difficult process. First roll the shaft on a flat surface (Preferably on a pool table) and look for any wobbles in the shafts roll. When looking for wobbles check the shaft from above and from the side. Next roll the butt of the cue. When checking the butt of the cue (Buying First Cue continued on page 30)
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2416 San Ramon Valley Blvd #100 San Ramon, CA 94583 (925) 743-0750 webmaster@feltsclub.com www.feltsclub.com Open Daily 12pm-2am - Must Be 21 yr w/ID
Monday & Thursday Weekly Tournaments Start at 7:30PM Sports Bar with 2 Big Screens & 5 27 TV s
BCA 8-Ball League Tuesday & Wednesday
Lessons / Equipment
Live Music/Dance Floor Fri & Sat Nights 9 PM 2004 Golden Tee Golf & Mega Touch Games Internet Jukebox - Darts
Another Hot Deal at
September Special
Black Light Ball Sets $59 Regular Price $159 & up - Compare to other sets
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Full Splice Billiards Craig & Jennie Rittel
email: manwon@comcast.net
Address 10606 Bridgeport Way S.W. Lakewood, WA Phone/Fax 1-253-512-6898 After Hour s 1-253-512-1945
*Best Prices around, if I don t have it, I will get it *Professional service Before, During, and After the sale. *Pool League Members, Military Personnel, Police, & Fireman receive a 5% discount on their purchase. *Equipment Lay away program *Largest in store selection of cues in Tacoma Washington *Cue Trade-up program *Professional Cue Repair Tip replacement while you wait *Internet Based Auction Sales / World Wide Shipment
The Q z
(253) 262-THEQ (8437)
Family Restaurant & Sports Lounge
9807 224th St Graham, WA
10 Screen - 2 Big Screens
Mariner Headquarters & More Pool & Darts on Both Floors Live bands - dj - karaoke comedy - Pull tabs Check for Leagues & Tournaments
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Golf - Boat Racing & Other Video Games Insanely Low Beer and Drink Prices 3 Pool Tables - 12 Big Screen TV s Full Service Liquor Store Lowest Prices in Town