Parts of a Pool Cue: An Ultimate Guide to Master the Game

Key Takeaways

• Knowing the parts of a pool stick is essential to controlling your shots and selecting the cue that best suits your playing style. Scroll down to discover the anatomy of a pool cue!

1. Anatomy of a Pool Cue

The pool cue shaft and pool cue butt are the two parts that make up a pool cue's structure. Each includes several pool cue components, each of which serves a specific purpose in assembling a full cue.

Despite that, every component of a pool cue works together to affect each shot you make. Each component's weight has an impact on your overall balance, which in turn influences how you must stabilize your hands to obtain the right amount of force to sink your shots. 

Although a pool cue's anatomy is simple, understanding these pool cue parts is essential to both your game and determining when repairs are necessary. The anatomy of a pool cue is shown below:

Pool stick parts you must know

1.1. Pool Cue Shaft

The cue's long, thin top section, known as the shaft, is made of carbon fiber or wood. It is a vital component that has a direct effect on your shot. The pool cue shaft is made for force transmission, accuracy, and aim. The following are some of the shaft's essential components:

1.1.1. Pool Cue Tip

Your pool cue's tip is the component you use to hit the cue ball. It is usually composed of leather. The tip is typically 13 mm in size. However, it can be as large as 14mm. Remember that a larger tip provides a greater striking surface, whereas a smaller one enables more accurate strokes.

Pool cue tip

There is no one-size-fits-all deal to cue tips. It is available in soft, medium, and hard levels. Your decision on the best pool cue tips may affect how you play the game drastically.

• Soft tips: Players who enjoy spinning the ball a lot would adore them. Though they tend to wear down more quickly, they have a good grip on the cue ball.
• Medium tips: An equitable option for the casual gamer. They provide a nice balance between robustness and control.
• Hard tips: Perfect for people who enjoy playing it straight. Though they provide less grip on the cue ball, their tips stay longer.

1.1.2. Pool Cue Ferrule

The ferrule is one of the important parts of a pool cue, and it is located underneath the tip. Although it can be either black or white, the ferrule is usually white. The ferrule is the pool cue tip's core. It is sturdy and reduces vibrations from your strokes while strengthening the cue tip. 

Not every material is the same when it comes to ferrules. Every material has advantages and disadvantages that impact things like longevity and vibration-absorbing capacity. 

Ferrules made of phenolic resin, for example, are renowned for their strength and are not prone to breaking under pressure. Conversely, fiber ferrules are frequently preferred because of their superior vibration absorption capabilities, which might provide you with a competitive advantage.

Pool cue ferrule

If you are starting, the ferrule is not often worth your consideration. On the other hand, world champions and league players want to avoid a ferrule that will make their strokes erratic.

1.1.3. Shaft

The longest part of the top half of the pool cue is the shaft. The greatest pool cue shafts are frequently made of maple wood, although sometimes, you may get ones composed of carbon fiber or graphite.

The shaft's taper refers to how much the material thins out toward the tip. The cue slides between your fingers more effortlessly with the smooth wood or carbon, which aids in steady and powerful shots.

Another option available to players is the low-deflection shaft, which decreases the amount of compensation needed when applying force to the ball and gives you greater control over the cue ball. Those who employ sidespin in their games will love them.

The shaft

1.1.4. Joint Collar

The joint collar is at the end of the shaft. There is a small band that connects the shaft and butt. Known as ringwork, it is often black with a silver ring. Since the joint gives the cue its strength and stability when you shoot, it is one of the most crucial components of the cue. A weak joint will completely throw off your shot.

The joint's material is also crucial. Depending on whether you want greater force or control for your strike, you can employ materials like metal, wood, resin, or graphite.

• Stainless steel: It boosts durability and brings a substantial, weighty feel. It provides a solid butt-to-shaft connection, making the hit stiffer and less vibrational.

• Wood: For a softer hit and a more conventional feel, some custom cues have wooden joint collars.

• Phenolic resin: A durable and lightweight choice with a responsive, quick impact. For players who want less weight in the joint area, it is frequently ideal in high-performance cues.

• Graphite: Smooth energy transmission and vibration reduction enable it to produce a more consistent strike with good feedback. Still, it is less prevalent than other conventional materials.

See more: How to straighten a pool cue?

1.2. Pool Cue Butt

Being one of the pool stick parts, the butt is the thicker portion of the pool cue that is at the bottom. This is where your shot strength originates when you use the dominant hand to grip it and provide the appropriate force to strike the cue ball. Often, the butt has wraps, ornamental inlays, and other materials to improve both appearance and grip. 

While the shaft and tip are busy trying to make contact with the cue ball, the butt is where the power and balance come together. Important components of the butt are:

1.2.1. Joint Pin

The pool cue butt's joint pin is a metal component at the top. In a two-piece cue, it is the section connecting the top and bottom. Usually made of materials like brass, aluminum, or stainless steel, the joint pin fits snugly into the shaft's collar after being inserted into the butt. 

The joint pin's design and material can have an impact on the cue's playability, durability, and feel. For instance, brass gives a heavier, more substantial connection, while stainless steel pins are renowned for their strength and stability. 

Joint pin

There are three common types of joint pins:

• Radial pin: This pin has a long, cylindrical shape. It provides a steady, reliable connection and seamless energy transfer. 
• 3/8-10 pin: It has a bigger, coarser-threaded pin that feels somewhat heavier and offers stability by making a stronger connection with fewer turns.
• Quick-release pin: It features a specific thread or locking mechanism that allows players to attach or detach the cue with only a few turns.

See more: How to make a pool cue?

1.2.2. Butt Collar

Right below the joint pin is where you will find the butt collar. It is what makes a two-piece cue look like a single piece, much like a house cue.

The butt collar, which is usually composed of plastic, phenolic, ivory-like resin, or stainless steel, adds further resilience and keeps the wood from fracturing under the strain of play. In addition to serving a structural purpose, the butt collar frequently has ornamental elements like rings or inlays that improve the cue's aesthetic attractiveness. 

Butt collar

1.2.3. Forearm

Following the butt collar is the forearm, one of the necessary parts of a pool cue. It is the cue's longest part on the bottom half. 

Most inlays and overlays—designs that are decals applied on top of wood—are found on the forearm, which is typically composed of wood. In addition, it features a glossy coating that protects it from the normal wear and tear that a pool player puts the cue through.

The forearm is primarily decorative, other than giving the stick more length. A lot of them have customizable designs to fit the preferences of the player.

Forearm

1.2.4. Butt Sleeve

The butt sleeve is below the wrap. An extension of the design on the forearm, it will normally have your overlays or inlays, much like the forearm. In order to adjust the weight of your cue, you can usually locate an adjustable weight bolt system within the butt sleeve.

The butt sleeve improves the cue's overall balance and weight distribution in addition to adding style. Personalized cues may include elaborate inlays or distinctive butt-sleeve patterns that highlight elegance and workmanship.  

Butt sleeve

1.2.5. Butt Cap

A pool cue's butt cap is the protective end piece that sits right above the bumper at the very bottom of the cue. By supporting the butt, it helps keep the cue straight and strong over time while also preserving its structural integrity. Players can alter the weight of the cue by gaining access to the inside bolt thanks to the interchangeable weight bolt system, which is facilitated by the butt cap. 

The butt cap shields the cue from wear and impact when it is bumped or set down. It's usually composed of sturdy materials like rubber, phenolic resin, or plastic. 

Butt cap

 1.2.6. Bumper

The bumper is the final component in this list of crucial parts of a pool cue. Its purpose is to assist in absorbing the impact of your shot; it is usually composed of rubber. 

Additionally, it shields the cue from those who might choose to tap a beat in anticipation of their next stroke. What's more, the bumper adds weight to the end of the cue, which may have an impact on the cue's feel and balance.

Bumper

These are the necessary parts of a pool cue. You can consider these parts when it comes to how to choose a pool cue to enhance your gameplay.

2. Frequently Asked Questions

2.1. What are the parts of a pool cue?

Generally, there are 10 key pool cue parts, each of which has a certain task to create a fully functional cue stick that serves as your gaming partner.

• Tip: Often made of leather or synthetic material, it is what strikes the cue ball.
• Ferrule: It facilitates impact transmission by sitting between the shaft and the tip.
• Shaft: It is the cue's long, thin portion that connects the ferrule to the joint.
• Joint Collar: It is the ring that surrounds the joint and strengthens the shaft-to-butt connection.
• Joint Pin: The threaded part, which fastens the shaft to the butt by screwing it into the joint collar.
• Butt Collar: The ring that surrounds the butt, which is often used for both decoration and reinforcement.
• Forearm: The part of the cue that is often engraved or ornamented above the joint collar.
• Butt Sleeve: The area of the butt that hides the joint and frequently has design elements.
• Butt Cap: The protective covering on the butt, which occasionally includes the weight of the cue.
• Bumper: The rubber portion that absorbs impacts and shields the cue from harm at the very end of the butt.

2.2. What is the end of a pool stick called?

The tip is the end part of a pool stick. It is typically made of leather or synthetic materials and comes into direct contact with the cue ball. The tip is a critical component of precise shots because it applies spin and controls the movement of the ball.

2.3. What's on the tip of a pool cue?

On the tip of a pool cue is usually a layer of very hard leather or phenolic resin. It guarantees the full force of the stroke is transferred to the cue ball during the break shot. Furthermore, it helps prevent undue abrasion on the ferrules and tips of the players' primary shooting cues.