Ball and the Cue

Balls used for professional game are selected to conform to specified dimensions and weight. The diameter of a ball is fixed at 2-1/16 inch and must have the same weight of around 155 to 160 grams with a tolerance of 0.5 grams per set. The balls are selected for their properties of hardness, resilience and friction coefficient.

Billiard cues are made of ash and are typically 40 inches in length but not less than 36 inches. The weight of a cue stick is around 680 grams to 700 grams. The stick is 2.25 inches in diameter and the tip of about 0.55 inch in diameter (14 mm to be exact). These cue sticks are made of hard wood and are naturally weighted for control and balance. A perfectly weighted and balanced cue enables a professional player to execute the correct shot, hitting the ball precisely at the angle he intends to with the right amount of force. Shafts can have pro taper or the European taper. Tips are commonly made of leather with a curvature. Sometimes a cue tip may be rounded in order to give a spin to the cue ball. Cues used for break and jumps have a flatter tip made of harder materials to give a forceful shot at the ball. Apparently simple in appearance, the cue is a sophisticated piece of engineering. There are ancillary equipments used in English billiards like cue rests, long cues or butts, extensions and adaptors to adjust to various playing conditions.