Billiards - Cue stick

A Billiards cue or a cue stick is a piece of essential equipment for playing Billiards. The cue stick is used to strike the cue ball in the game. These sticks are used in carom billiards, pool, and snooker. Cue sticks are usually taped, 57–59 inches (about 1.5 m) long and weigh between 16 and 21 ounces (450–600 g), with pros toward a 19-ounce (540 g) average. 

Most of the cues are made of wood, but occasionally the wood is covered or bonded by materials like graphite, carbon fiber or fiberglass. They use regular cues as to their primary equipment and a shorter cue for jump shots. The cues used for jump shots has a built tip with high tensile. 

Types of cue sticks used in Billiards

• One-piece cue - The one-piece cue is the simplest and most common type of cues used in billiards. They are made in one piece without any joints. They have uniform tapering and gradually decrease in circumference from the butt to the tip. 
• Two-piece cues - The two-piece cue has a division in the centre which makes it easy for transportation. This cue can be easily folded so that it fits into the respective cue case or any pouch.
• Two-piece cue with a joint - It is also regarded as the three-quarter two-piece. The two-piece cue has a joint presentation on the downwards one-third position of the cue. The joint lies 12 to 16 inches away from the butt.

Components of the Billiard cue sticks

The cue sticks are manufactured either as one piece or through two-piece, or with a joint in the middle. Majorly the high-grade cue sticks are made with two hardwood pieces, such as maple wood, and joined by metal or phenol resin. The beginner cues are manufactured with middle-quality maple wood with plastic shaft and tips. The high-grade cues are made from golf wood and woven graphite.

The regular cue sticks have the following components - 

• Butt end - The end of the cue has a larger circumference and has cravings to easily hold it and provide a comfortable grip to the participants. This region is known as the butt end.
• Shaft - The middle long wooden part of the stick having a smaller circumference than the butt end. It has a length of 0.4 inches to 0.55 inches (10 to 14mm). 
• Ferrules - It is the terminus part of the shaft made of fibreglass or brass.
• Tip - The tip is placed above the ferrule to strike the ball. Usually, a little chalk is put on the tip to strengthen the friction and provide spin to the balls while hitting on the table. The tips are majorly made from leather and are stick with glue on the ferrule.
• Bumper - It is the final part of the cue, which is made from rubber or leather. The bumper protects the cue from any accidental damage due to falling or massive hit.

The Billiard cue sticks used in ancient times

In 1600, the cue sticks were created by mace, which was similar to a light weighted golf club. These cues used to shove instead of striking the cue ball. By 1670, there was a fundamental modification. A stick replaced mace that had a butt end of a larger circumference. Till 1800, the development of sticks name to cue stick became official. In 1807, Francois Mingaud was the first person to examine the leather tip on a billiard cue stick.

During the 19th century, the tips were not polished enough to strike the balls at first shot. The players used to twist their ends in a plaster wall or ceiling to increase the stick’s friction and enhance its potential. This powder was regarded as a twisting powder. In earlier times, the ferrules were made from ivory to hold the cue tip effectively. The joints were fully threaded and were made from either wood or non-metals such as steel, brass etc. 

The Billiard cue sticks used in modern times

These days the shafts are manufactured according to the two-piece models with custom made tapering. The leather tip is also replaced by using faux-leather or any other synthetic fibre to strike the ball with greater efficiency. The synthetic fibre retains less moisture and humidity and required less frequent sharpening. The cue tips are no longer manufactured by using ivory materials and have been created by using various carbon-fibres. This fibre includes melamine resin or phenol resin, or high-grade plastics. The carbon fibre acts as a non-metal and avoids natural cracks and breaks. The joints are half threaded and have a “quick pin release” mechanism to fold the sticks.