10 Best Pool Cues for Intermediate Players: Master Your Game

Are you an intermediate-level pool player seeking the ideal cue to take your game to the next level? Choosing the right pool cues for intermediate players is pivotal for refining your technique and improving accuracy on the table.

Want to know which pool cue is excellent for an intermediate player? You might find a number of possibilities by searching for us online. Conduct online research at home. In a game of pool, your weapon against the other player is the pool cue. The requirements a player has for his pool cue vary just as much as the opponents and games do.

There isn’t a universal pool cue that can meet everyone’s requirements. Therefore, it becomes imperative to make sure your pool cue is precisely matched to your requirements. You may discover some advice on this page that will assist you in choosing the ideal pool cue.

How To Select Pool Cues For Intermediate Players? (7 Useful Tips)

Here are a few tips we have listed out that will help you select the pool cues for intermediate players:

  1. The tip and ferrule should be well attached and there should be no gaps or cracks in either of them.
  2. The tip should be smooth and not hardened or glazed.  A hard tip will result in a number of miscues as the tip will not be able to grip the ball well.
  3. The cue should be perfectly straight.  To test that, roll the cue along the table. If it rolls along smoothly and does not wobble too much, you can be sure it is straight.
  4. The cue you choose should be comfortable enough to hold. You should be able to handle and manipulate it with ease.
  5. Also, ensure that the length of extension that comes along with the pool cue complements your height.
  6. The pivot length provided by the pool cue should match your bridge length, making things easier.
  7. Also, keep the CB deflection in mind. Though you must learn how to shoot with multiple cues, it helps to have one with a CB deflection comfortable to you.

Having stated the above points, one should also keep in mind a few more facts:

  1. If you have recently purchased a pool cue and are finding only minor issues with it, you should try to stick with it.
  2. An expensive pool cue will not make you a better player.

There is a variety of pool cues out there to choose from, in this list, we will be listing a few of the top-rated cues that intermediate players should be using, the list won’t be in any specific order. Having a good pool cue can very much impact the performance skill level of your game.

Having the right one is a necessity for all pool lovers like myself, my personal recommended preferred weight is 19oz but it all depends on what we are more comfortable with. The listing will be a mixture of the different budgets but not too high to be out of our comfort zone for an intermediate player, let’s get into our listings.

10 Amazing Pool Cues For Intermediate Players

Pool CuesRatingsPrice
Players Technology series HXT15 Two-Piece Pool Cue Editors ChoiceCheck Price
Champion Spider Billiards Maple Pool Cue Stick Best Pool Cue For The MoneyCheck Price
Cuetec Gen-Tek Series 58 Super SlimCheck Price
Viper Desperado 58-Inch Freedom Billiard Cue 100% genuine Leather WrapCheck Price
Lucasi Custom Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Pool Cue StickDesigners ChoiceCheck Price
Players C-801 Classic Wrapless HandleCheck Price
Cuetec Prestige Series 58″ Budget-FriendlyCheck Price
CUESOUL SOOCOO Best Under 100Check Price
Viking Valhalla 2 Piece Pool Cue StickVikingCheck Price
Imperial Premier Cyclone Billiard cue stickBest for home usage/PracticingCheck Price

1. Players Technology series HXT15 Two-Piece Pool Cue

Best Pool Cues For Intermediate Players Looking for a pool cue that will increase your skills at a faster paste, look no more, the Players Technology Series HXT15 Two-Piece Pool Cue is definitely what you need. this cue has been played in professional tournaments all across the world and got some great results from it, the standard availabilities are from 18 ounces to 21 ounces.

The HXT15 has a low deflecting shaft which increases power and accuracy while maintaining control for the user. Pulling out this pool cue will definitely get eyes on you in public due to its stunning beauty. Also, it also has a kamul black tip which gives on-point cue ball plays. This pool cue carries a stainless steel joint as well. This cue will definitely last long due to its durability.

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Pros

  • Low Deflection Shaft
  • Special lightweight polymer core
  • Increased Shot Control
  • Solid black double-pressed Irish linen wrap
  • Good Durability
  • Good design
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Cons

  • Not an amateur-friendly cue
  • The tip is easy to wear

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2. Champion Spider Billiards Maple Pool Cue Stick

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B06ZZRDNSR&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=poolcueexpert 20&language=en US

Want to set up your game but you’re still watching how much money you should spend on getting a cue to improve your performance in the game, well then the Two-Piece Champaign Spider Billiard Maple Pool Cue Stick is the one for you. This pool cue stick is great for all your trick shots and has a low deflection rate as well.

The tip is made from Tiger Everest. The shaft is treated with Nelsonite and a special epoxy finish. The standard length is 58 inches built and the standard weight is between  18oz.-21oz. There is also a variety of colours to choose from with two amazing wrap types: the snakeskin textured leather wrap and the hybrid leather wrap.

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Pros

  • Wrap absorbent
  • Grip control
  • Good design
  • Affordable
  • Premium low deflection
  • Stainless steel joint
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Cons

  • Not easily available

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3. Cuetec Gen-Tek Series 58 – Super Slim Taper

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B002POOF0U&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=poolcueexpert 20&language=en USI personally think this pool cue deserves a brighter light in the spotlight, with its adjustable weight structured frame. It also has a special coating over the rap to maintain the straightness of the cue.

This cue stick is also scratch-resistant. The pool cue’s shaft is made up of pure North American maple. The tip of the pool cue is also made with Tiger Everest with a laminated pigskin tip.

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Pros

  • Adjustable weight
  • Super slim taper
  • Composed coating
  • Maintains straightness as ages
  • Scratch resistance
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Cons

  • Normal skill level rate plays
  • Not a low deflection

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4. Viper Desperado 58-Inch Freedom Billiard Cue

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B001FYTV1E&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=poolcueexpert 20&language=en USThis masterpiece is created with high-quality Canadian maple wood. The texture is something to keep your eyes busy on.

The base of this pool cue includes a built-in removable scuffer the wrap is pure genuine leather also reducing vibration and providing a firm grip.

The shaft and butt of this cue stick are lightweight stainless steel joint witch gives smooth gameplay, the standard available weights are 18oz-21oz.

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Pros

  • Lightweight stainless steel joints
  • Magnificent design
  • Durable
  • Removable scuffer
  • Leather wrap
  • Ball controllable
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Cons

  • Not weight adjustable
  • No joint protectors

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5. Lucasi Custom Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Pool Cue Stick with Upgraded Low Deflection Shaft 

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00F9RW7YQ&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=poolcueexpert 20&language=en USThis cue is a bit on the expensive side but by the expression of its name, you can tell it’s more than a hand full. This pool cue stick consists of an all-natural wood-to-wood joint with a uni-loc pin which gives a soft and very accurate play. This cue also has a sleek wrap-less handle which gives an undisturbed feeling when striking.

The standard available weight for this pool cue is 18oz-21oz. The shaft is 29 inches long and has zero flex-point solid with pro taper. It also has a very low deflection rate, and the tip is 12.75mm Tiger Everest tip.

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Pros

  • Quality ball control abilities
  • Uni-loc quick-release joint
  • Sleek wrap less handle
  • Varnish design look
  • Low deflection shaft
  • Accuracy increased shots
  • Trick shots capabilities
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Cons

  • May cost too much for an intermediate player
  • No additional colour or Look

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6. Players C-801 Classic Crimson Birds-Eye Maple with White Outline Points Cue

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00F5YEGOM&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=poolcueexpert 20&language=en USThis pool cue is budget-friendly and you should definitely get this if you are on a tight budget but still need a skilled cue to play with. This pool cue can be used for both playing with friends and competing in a tournament.

This cue comes with an Irish grip which gives a very sturdy handle on it. These pool cues are made from North American quality hard rock maple.

The wood of this cue stick is treated with Nelsonite and the weight is between 18-21oz. The tip is 13mm, and the overall design of this cue was neatly done.

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Pros

  • Affordable
  • Durable
  • Good control over shots
  • Sleek wrap less handle
  • Easy to handle
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Cons

  • Not the suitable cue for English plays
  • Not a low deflection

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7. Cuetec Prestige Series 58″ 2-Piece Canadian Maple Billiard

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000K2MLE6&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=poolcueexpert 20&language=en USThis particular pool cue stick is very player-friendly. Its weight adjustment ability makes playing and adjusting for certain shots very easy to do and make.

The design of this cue is just smoothy built and specially built for sweaty palms users.

This pool cue is overall a great choice for intermediate players especially if you tend to travel a lot. This cue is also in a very affordable price range for a cue with this many-skill play.

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Pros

  • Weight adjustable system
  • Popular
  • Slip-proof hand grip
  • Durable
  • Good control over shots
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Cons

  • Not a low-deflection cue

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8. CUESOUL SOOCOO Series 58″ 19oz Maple Pool Cue

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B014EZMQZ8&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=poolcueexpert 20&language=en USIf you’re a player who loves to play cut shots or any other skill shots, I would highly suggest this pool cue for you. There are three different individual designs for this cue.

The cue comes with a unique crystal cue joint protector and cue cleaning towel for its protection this cue is easily handled and controllable for its user to get the perfect performance grade,

This cue has been used in many tournaments worldwide to simply show you what a high-performance pool cue this is.

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Pros

  • Multi-coloured
  • Comes with a special towel to clean the cue
  • Great design
  • Durable
  • Stainless steel
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Cons

  • Large tip
  • Not a low-deflection cue

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9. Viking Valhalla 2 Piece Pool Cue Stick with Irish Linen Wrap

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B076BZRPZK&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=poolcueexpert 20&language=en USThis cue stick is a very sturdy cue. The design is smoothly built and come in nine different colours to be exact.

The cue’s joint is stainless steel and has a soft leather tip for accuracy and proper ball control abilities this cue really doesn’t take much to use and is budget-friendly its the ideal amount an intermediate player would probably want to spend on a cue their choice.

It’s very travel-friendly as well, the wrap on this cue is Irish linen.

I have yet to see a bad complaint after purchasing this cue however this is not a professional usage cue so I wouldn’t think a professional user would purchase it, hands down it’s great for players stepping up from the beginners league.

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Pros

  • Stainless steel & threaded joints
  • Irish linen wrap
  • Good for cut shots
  • Durable
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Cons

  • May arrive damaged
  • The tip of the cue could be softer

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10. Imperial Premier Cyclone Billiard Cue Stick

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B005GVHGKU&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=poolcueexpert 20&language=en USThis is a very basic budget-friendly cue that should be under $50 or even under $30 so I am guessing anyone can purchase it. The cue is made from titanium and graphite composite.

This pool cue is the most casual cue one can buy that gives a good performance in gameplay. This cue is also travel-friendly.

If you need a short-term cue just to practice a few shots and increase the quality of your game, this would be most suitable for your fit. This type is perfect for home usage.

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As I always say a two-piece is easier to be stolen and I do not know for what reason people go around stealing personal pool cue sticks.

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Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Good grip
  • Average gameplay
  • Made of hardwood
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Cons

  • Not durable
  • Loses straightness over time
  • Not a low-deflection cue
  • Tip easily damage

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Buying Guide For Pool Cues For Intermediate Players

The truth is not because a pool cue stick is perfect for your friend or family means it is going to be perfect for you, there are some things to take into consideration. If you are at an intermediate level of the game I am sure you will be fully aware of what would be most suitable for you. However, I will be still breaking things down on how to choose a perfect cue stick and the areas to look within.

Weight Of Your Pool Cue

It is simple as this, heavier cues are more beginners friendly and much easier to handle than a lightweight stick. when I say heavier cues I am talking about a 20-ounce cue stick to be exact, most players prefer a 19oz which would still be good and easy to handle as well. After using those ounces it will be easy to know if you prefer one up or one down in cue weight but you can’t go wrong with choosing a 19-ounce cue stick.

Tip Density And Size Of Your Pool Cue

Choosing between tips will all depend on the type of gameplay you are looking to play. The tip will be either soft medium or hard, all three will give a different play in the game. A soft tip will give the utmost control in the game with the cue ball plays but will give very minimal power strikes.

The medium tip density is suitable for beginner and also intermediate players of the game. Most players of the game normally have multiple pool cues to play with and would most definitely have a cue with a medium tip for average plays in the game.

Hard tips are mostly used for the breaking of the game, it gives the most powerful hit to the cue ball to your objective ball.  This tip type is not recommended to play through a full game and is mostly used by professional players.

The most commonly used pool cue tip size is from 11mm-14mm, the most standard side would be 13mm and is recommended for beginners and intermediate players of the game. Going below 11mm and over 14mm in tip size is not suggested to do unless it’s a different type of cue sport you are playing.

Material Type Of Your Pool Cue

I am just trying to keep things as simple as possible, these can come in either fibreglass made or a full-on wood type. Fibreglass is more common in the cheaper ones, the pros to their type are the fact that it doesn’t warp over a period of time.

Wood material will be the most common factor to be used in the making of these pool sticks. A good wood type to be on the lookout for is Hard Maple Wood and any other related Maple wood used. The pros to there are that they give better game-playing abilities life for eg, more accuracy, power, and control. This type will cost more but the performance is without a doubt on the point.

Another thing to take notice of is the wrap type, these are a few different types of wrap types out there that are been used but a few main ones are Irish Lenin or nylon its common to also see leather grips as well. This is located at the butt end and thicker part of your pool stick, this will be where you hold the stick with whichever dominant hand you using.

These factors are all good factors to look into when buying a pool stick, you also have no wrap pool cues, these types give what is said to be a true feeling of connection with every strike you make in the game. To get more detailed information about the different wrap types you can check it out here at wrap types.

Balance Point Of Your Pool Cue

This would be located at the centre or near the centre a few inches from the wrap end of your cue stick. The most accurate way to test it is by trying out the different pool sticks to get a better feel for your preferences. It is not something you will see or feel on your first run using but you will after a few runs or gameplays.

Pricing Of Your Pool Cue

The pricing will most definitely play a huge role in regard to the type of pool cue stick you will be purchasing. It is not necessary because it cost more makes it better it’s the fact that you will be getting a better material built to last so, in the end, it is better.

My personal recommended budget for an intermediate player buying a good quality pool stick would be anywhere from a hundred and fifty upwards to wherever you are most comfortable with. I think that budget is just about right, below that would be first-timers buying a cue and not sure of the investment.

However, if you are just looking for durable cues to use commercially wise or for house purposes with the family the price would be a different budget because it makes no scenes getting something too expensive. As you might have sawn the listing above has different prices for different uses personal and commercial.

What Accessories Should I Get When Looking For Pool Cues For Intermediate Players?

While you look for pool cues for intermediate players, you will also need a few accessories to keep up the stick maintenance. You should have a pool cue case to protect your cues from being damaged and easy to travel around with as well. At an intermediate level of the game, you should also have your own chalk, and tip-shaping tools, they are all available in the market to get.

Most of the cues that I have suggested above will give the option to get the featured additional tools that are perfect for the cue you getting. Having these will definitely keep you stuck in tip-top shape and at the highest performance abilities that you could possibly get from it. If on the other hand, your place is a safe zone this would be great to use with that aside.

Elevate Your Game: The Perfect Pool Cues For Intermediate Players

In the world of pool, having the right cue can significantly impact your performance. With the ideal balance of precision and comfort, finding the perfect pool cues for intermediate players can elevate your game to new heights. Whether it’s a sleek design, precise engineering, or enhanced control, invest in a cue that resonates with your style and skill level. Take your shots with confidence and finesse, knowing that the cue you wield complements your intermediate prowess on the table.

The most important thing while playing pool is to pick the correct cue for the game you are playing. The list above contains both long-lasting and durable cues as well as short-term cues solely for practicing all-around strokes. You can also take a look at these Pool Cues, which offer a unique game-play reaction when used.

Purchase pool cues for intermediate players that will last. This may sound a little strange to some of you, but develop a relationship and connection with your cue stick. Having high confidence in your cue actually helps a lot in terms of self-confidence when playing in-game tournaments.

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