The sound and feel of a cue when striking the cue ball is referred to as the “hit” and has nothing to do with how hard or soft a player actually hits the ball.  The “hit” is about feel, personal preference and is determined by the type of  joint  used.

The harder the materials in the joint, the more difficult it becomes for the energy or vibration to transfer through the cue and, therefore, the firmer the hit feels. For example; the energy goes through an implex (hard plastic) joint easier than a steel joint, but not as easy as a wood to wood joint; therefore, the implex joint is a softer hit than the steel, but firmer than wood. There are 5 basic styles of joints that are used by the majority of manufacturers. One is not better than the other. They simply provide a different feel.  More experienced players prefer to carry two playing cues in their bag, each with a different joint type. The reason is, if they are playing a match and their cue gets into their head and lets them down, they have a second cue that they play with equally as well, but it has a completely different feel, allowing them to get back into the game. Numerous things can affect a players ability to play at their best such as, the weight or balance of one cue versus another; the sound of the cue when it strikes the cue ball; or, even their mood that particular day.

Note: Joints are not the only thing that makes a cue feel the way they do. Tips, ferrules, weight, balance and technology inside the butt also have an impact.

Since different joints provide a different hit, it becomes an individual preference for each player.  It is best to test drive a variety of joints/hits to determine which one is best suited to a player’s style of play.

When testing a cue, the first shot should be striking the cue ball only. A player needs to concentrate on the feel of the cue alone simply by hitting the cue ball to the rail.  Strike the cue ball dead center to avoid miscues. Striking the ball dead center will allow you to feel the “hit” that we discussed earlier.  Once you determine the joint you like best, then pocket a few balls.

Joint Options:

Soft Hit:  Sneaky Pete style:  Wood-to-wood.  There are no collars on the shaft and no implex or steel joint on the forearm of the butt.  The threads in the shaft will be wood or brass.

Medium Hit:  Implex (hard plastic) collar on shaft with wood threads.  Implex joint on the butt with 3/8-10 metal pin or radial pin.

Medium Firm Hit:  Implex collars on shaft with brass threads and implex joint on the butt.

Firm Hit:  Implex collar on the shaft with brass threads and steel joint on butt.

Hard Hit: a small number of cues will have a steel collar on the shaft which provide a “Hard Hit”

Note: Regarding the “pins” used inside the joint - different manufacturers use different thread and pin sizes and there are a variety of combinations. The most common sizes are as follows:

• 3/8-10…This is a large, long pin in the forearm of the butt. Always used with wood threads in the shaft.
• Radial pin… This is a slightly larger pin then the 3/8-10 and is always used with a wood thread in the shaft.
• 5/16-14… This is a metal pin in the forearm of the butt and is always used with a brass thread in the shaft
• 5/16-18… This is a metal pin in the forearm of the butt and is always used with a brass thread in the shaft.
• Unilock…This is a metal pin in the forearm of the butt with NO threads on the pin. The threads are at the bottom of the pin, inside the steel joint on the forearm of the butt.