Arcade themed pool sticks?

GameRoomKid

Well-known member

Donor 2012
Joined
Mar 2, 2004
Messages
6,912
Reaction score
412
Location
17021, Pennsylvania
It's time for me to invest in a new cue stick and was wondering if anybody knew if there were ever any made with an arcade theme to it?
 
I could use a new cue too. Arcade themed would be sweet as long as its not a junky stick.
 
I don't think it's possible to get a "themed" cue without it being "junky". Anyone really serious about pool (like me) is also very picky about their cues - irish linen wraps, pro tapers, perfectly aligned inlays, etc, so that the entire cue is smooth in the hand. Any imperfection or raised edge can distract the player if they feel or see it during the shooting motion, and concentration is supremely important to play at a high level.

Most of these themed cues are just embossed stickers with a clear laquer overlay. They're made in China, and they don't have the best quality. Even the ones that are machine-made these days (like Cuetech's) may look nice and play okay for the casual-to-semi-serious player. Basically, if the cue costs less than $150 (or $40 like you can buy a Budweiser one for at Wal-Mart), then it is a mass-produced cue and the quality is only as good as the robot that built it.

The first cue I bought cost me $100 in 1990, and I thought that was a lot of money at the time. Eventually, as I learned more and got better, I sold it and bought another priced at $250. I played with that one for quite a while. I currently have 3 cues - and old Mali that I've had forever and paid $280 for way back when, a Lucasi that I paid $320 for and got an extra shaft with it, and a Balabushka valued at $720 (with extra shaft) that I got as part of a prize package for a tournament I won about 4 years ago. Most of the time I play with the Balabushka, and I can really tell the difference in the quality whenever I end up at a bar with someone when I wasn't expecting to play, and I borrow someone else's "themed" cue. I can still make the shots (if the tip is good), but I don't feel at all comfortable with it.

Personally, I think that themed cues are good for decoration, beginners, or "house" cues so that visitors think they are playing with a fancy cue and you don't have to risk the true great cues to people who don't know their proper use...
 
I don't think it's possible to get a "themed" cue without it being "junky".

Yeah, by not junky I meant good enough for a house cue. Some of the themed cues you see at the discount stores I wouldn't expect my guests to use. I'm not a good pool player but I do have a decent stick at the house to use. I can play just as terrible with one of the house cues though I suppose.
 
Yeah, by not junky I meant good enough for a house cue. Some of the themed cues you see at the discount stores I wouldn't expect my guests to use. I'm not a good pool player but I do have a decent stick at the house to use. I can play just as terrible with one of the house cues though I suppose.

I can play quite well with a house cue. As long as it has a decent tip, I can adjust my shooting for the weight. If it's crooked, then I just turn it until it curves down and I don't see it anymore. I've beaten lots of people with a house cue, especially after they tell me I only win because I have a fancy cue...
 
I can play quite well with a house cue. As long as it has a decent tip, I can adjust my shooting for the weight. If it's crooked, then I just turn it until it curves down and I don't see it anymore. I've beaten lots of people with a house cue, especially after they tell me I only win because I have a fancy cue...

When your good your good, doesn't matter what cue you choose.

I'm sure Tiger Woods could kick my ass using a set mis-matched clubs from a Goodwill...:D
 
Back
Top Bottom