A pool cue is an essential piece of equipment that can greatly impact a player’s performance. There are various factors to consider when choosing a pool cue, including its length, material, and tip diameter. However, one of the most critical factors is the weight of the pool cue. The weight of a pool cue can affect a player’s accuracy, control, and overall feel for the game. So, how much pool cue weights?
Usually, pool cues weigh in the range of 18, 19, 20, and 21 ounces, with ½ ounce intervals in between. It’s not a coincidence, that’s the standard scale for every pool cue manufacturer. Of course, you’ll always find some exceptions and some cues may be lighter than 18 ounces or heavier than 21 ounces, but if you’re looking for a standard pool cue, you’ll find it within the range of 18 – 21 ounces.
This article will give you more insights into how much a pool cue weighs and help you choose the best pool cue for yourself. I’ll show you why weight matters and present to you how a different weight can affect your game.
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Pool cue weights
Pool cues are available in different weights, but there are no rules on which weight you should use. Everything depends on your personal preferences and skills.
Similar to bowling balls, the best option for you is to try out every weight and see which suits you the best.
Most beginners start with lighter cue sticks. Usually, newbies choose 19 ounces sticks. A lighter stick creates more snap in the shot.
A snap makes the cue ball more dynamic and the object ball goes slower into the pocket. If you’re a newbie, I would recommend a lighter stick for you, at least until you gain some experience.
A heavier cue stick will give more power to the shot and the object ball will go faster into the pocket. The downside of a heavier stick is that it makes cue ball drawing harder.
How to choose pool cue weight?
There isn’t such a thing as the optimal cue weight. It’s a matter of individual choice and preferences. So, to find out how to choose pool cue weight, you need to try out every weight and figure out which weight makes you feel most comfortable.
Every cue weight has its own pros and cons so don’t rush, take your time and find out which suits you the best.
A heavy cue will produce more cue ball speed for a given stroke effort. Also, it will be easier to keep the line during the stroke, but I have to tell you it’s not a rule but a matter of individual skills.
Due to a heavier mass, the heavy cue will create more cue ball deflection, which might have positive and negative aspects, depending on the stage of the game.
A potential downside of heavier cues is that a bigger cue ball deflection creates more double hits, miscues, and pushes. It may cause you a lot of trouble if you’re shooting the object ball from close range.
A lighter cue gives you smaller impact power which could be an aggravating circumstance if you need to break the cluster or create the squirt (a.k.a. “cue ball deflection”).
The positive aspect of a lighter cue is that you can strike the cue ball with more spin, or play easier and smoother moves.
If you’re not an experienced player and are still in the process of learning, the recommendation is to use a lighter (18-19 ounces) stick. Though weight is not the only cue attribute, a lighter cue provides more options for inexperienced players.
Standard pool cue weight
When you decide to buy the perfect pool cue for yourself, you have two shopping options: you can buy the cue online or you can go physically to the specialized store and choose the best option for yourself.
It’s very individual, but I would recommend an online store only if the physical store is unavailable to you. If that’s the case, the best option for you is to choose the standard pool cue weight (19- 20 ounces).
The other reason for buying online is if you’re an experienced player and you know exactly which cue you’re buying.
Otherwise, I advise you to physically go to the specialized store and try it on the spot. Many stores have testing tables, so you can test and find the perfect cue for yourself.
BONUS TIP: Pool cue weight is adjustable. When buying a cue stick, make sure it has a removable bumper at the end. It will allow you manual weight adjustments.
What weight pool cue do pros use?
If you’re a passionate pool player, then you probably have a role model among professional players.
It’s completely normal to develop a form of platonic connection with your favorite player, which is, usually, triggered by the style of playing, a playing hand, or the type and weight of pool cue.
When thinking about pros, people are usually wondering what weight pool cue do pros use?
Shane Van Boening
“A South Dakota Kid” is everything but the kid. He’s currently the number 3 player in the WPA World Ranking and a winner of over 100 tournaments including more than 50 major professional pool tournaments.
In 2020 Van Boening was named Player of the Decade for the 2010s by the Billiards Digest Magazine. Most of the titles Van Boening won with 19 ounces WTC Break Cue.
Efren Reyes
“A Magician from the Philippines” won over 70 international titles playing with The Judd JT1 19 ounces cue. He’s a World Eight-ball champion and one of the all-time most successful pool players.
Thorsten Hohmann
“The Hitman” is a German pool player, a former WPA World Ranking number 1, and a three-times pool world pool champion. Thorsten plays with 19 ounce Lucasi Hybrid LTH88 pool cue.
Best pool cue weight for a beginner
There isn’t a universal answer to which is the best pool cue weight for a beginner and everything depends on individual skills and preferences, but generally, most beginners start with 19 ounces cue.
So, if you don’t have any preferences and experience, maybe you can start with 19 ounces cue.
It’s the perfect balance of weight and power and it will give you the best touch to the cue ball. Still, if you have available a physical store, the best option is to go there and test it on-site.
What weight pool cue should I use?
Most pool players had their first touch with a pool cue in a bar or a pool cafe. There, you’ve probably played with 19 or 20 ounces cues. It’s a standard pool cue weight for most manufacturers.
Some pool cafes even have heavier cues, but if you’re a Sunday league player, it’s likely you only played with 19 to 20 ounces cues.
If you’re an experienced player, then you’ve probably already chosen the perfect weight for yourself, but if you’re a newbie, you’re probably in a dilemma: What weight pool cue should I use?
If you’re uncertain about your pool cue weight, I suggest you try out different weights. When I say “try it out” I don’t mean just to grab it in your hand.
If you want to be a serious player, use a tactic: go to the same place and play for a whole week with the same weight and change the weight each week.
After a month, you’ll be 100% sure which weight suits you the best.
If this strategy sounds too boring and too time-consuming to you, then I suggest starting with a standard 19 ounces pool cue. It’s the most common choice for players worldwide and you’ll make no mistake with it.
Heaviest pool cue
While most cues weigh between 18 and 21 ounces, breaking cues are usually heavier and they can weigh even up to 27 ounces.
It may sound surprising but it’s completely logical – a heavier cue creates more power and it helps you to break the cluster with less effort.
Pool cue weight difference
Many inexperienced players are making a mistake in choosing a pool cue weight based on cues their role models use. It’s a classical beginner’s mistake.
Yes, it’s OK to have a role model, but you can’t choose a pool cue weight based on your model. Simply, you’re not him, and imitating him may prevent you from achieving your full potential.
While choosing the best pool cue weight, you need to know your preferences and what you want to achieve.
Most people start with a standard, 19 ounces cue and that’s also my recommendation for you. A standard cue will give you more cue ball maneuver space and get the most out of you.
Still, just as I stated earlier, you can buy a cue with adjustable weight so you can change it over time. Pool cue weight difference isn’t just a style of play – different stages of the game require different weights.
When you need a breaking cue, it’s completely normal to seek a heavier cue, so you can mount a heavier extension to your cue.
A heavy cue will give more power to your cue ball and break object balls just as you wish.
On the other hand, when you need a smooth shot and to avoid double hits and bounces, you need to dismount your cue and use the one with a lighter weight.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the weight of a pool cue is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a cue that suits your playing style.
The ideal weight for a pool cue is subjective and depends on the player’s preferences and skill level.
It’s essential to try out different weight options before settling on a specific weight. Remember that a cue’s weight can influence your accuracy, control, and feel for the game.
By selecting the appropriate weight, you’ll be on your way to improving your game and enjoying it even more.
So, the next time someone asks you, “How much pool cue weights?” you’ll be able to provide an informed answer based on your own personal experience.
