You’re finally ready to take the game of Billiards seriously. You’re confident that it’s time to “take it up a notch” and make the financial investment to purchase equipment for your billiards room. Where do you start? Let’s review what you’ll need to begin your journey from Saturday night wanna-be to becoming a top-gun billiard champ.
It’ll come as no surprise that the most important piece of equipment is the cue. This “stick” is going to become an extension of your brain, an extension of your arm… an extension of you so it is important not to skimp. Owning a cue that you are confident and comfortable with is critical to your ultimate success. There are many variables when it comes to cue selection. Each cue has its own distinct length, size (thickness of shaft), weight and tip.
Valuable advice: 1. do not buy a cheap cue at a discount store. 2. Research. Talk with people, read about the different types of cues available. Narrow down your priorities prior to going shopping. 3. Try a variety of different cues prior to purchasing one so that you have an idea what “feels right” to you. What do you like? What don’t you like? Think of it as an important investment and purchase the best cue that you can afford.
A good cue, like a good friend, can last a lifetime. Once you’ve made your selection, read carefully the instructions that come with your new cue to learn what you need to do to maintain it to insure that you and your cue will spend many years together.
After you have selected your cue, you will need a case to carry and protect it. Again, there are a wide variety of options available. Research different types of cases prior to going shopping so that you can decide what features, size, weight etc. are important to you. Talk with other players and get their opinions about their cues and cases. Often times they’ll say that they “wish they’d bought this feature or not bought that feature”. Take advantage of their learning curves to save you from making the same mistakes.
Once you have your cue and case, you’re 90% ready to go. However, you will need a few more items. Tips, chalk, repair kit, bridge head and stick just to name a few. As with most sports, the list of accessories is almost endless. Do you “need” a pool glove? Probably not, but you may want one. Do you need a “chalk holder”? Again, probably not, but you may decide to add it to your arsenal of tools. A lot of what you buy will depend upon how deep your budget is and how advanced you intend to progress in the sport.
The final “tool” that is critical is your brain. Work on the knowledge of the finer techniques of the game, the angles, the psychology, the strokes etc., As great as your cue may be, it cannot do the job by itself. Ultimately it will be your brain and its ability to a) know what to do and b) have the ability to transmit this information to your muscles to execute properly what it intends to do that will create the results you desire. Spend money on the right equipment, time developing your brain and hours practicing combining brain, muscles and cue to work seamlessly together and you will be on your way to becoming unbeatable and making all your shots into their respective called pockets!
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