You may be wondering why there are different types of cue for each cue sport such as pool and snooker, and if they are really all that different from one another? I’ll explain the key differences and similarities between American pool cues, English pool cues and snooker cues in this article.
Pool vs Snooker Cue Summary
American pool cues are heavier and have a larger cue tip compared to snooker cues because the cue ball used is larger and heavier. English pool cues are lighter and have a smaller cue tip compared to snooker cues because the cue ball is smaller and lighter.
| American Pool Cue | Snooker Cue | English Pool Cue |
| Average weight is 19-21 oz. | Average weight is 16-18 oz. | Average weight is 15-18 oz. |
| Cue tip diameter is 13 mm | Cue tip diameter is 9-10 mm | Cue tip diameter is 8-9 mm |
| Made from maple | Made from ash | Made from ash |
| Have a plastic/ carbon ferrule | Have a brass ferrule | Have a brass ferrule |
| 57-58” length | 57” length | 57” length |
| Often have a grip wrap | Do not use a wrap | Do not use a wrap |
| Usually split in the centre | Usually split at the ¾ point | Usually split at the ¾ point |
Cue Weight
American pool cues are heavier than snooker cues. English pool cues are lighter than both American pool and snooker cues.
For all stick and ball sports (cue sports), the weight of the stick needs to be at least 3.5 times more than the weight of the cue ball to achieve the required level of force.
Cue Ball Weight:
- American pool cue ball weight is 5.5-5.6 oz. (160-170 g)
- English pool cue ball weight is 3.35-3.5 oz. (95-100 g)
- Snooker cue ball weight is 5.0 oz (141 g)
Check out this comparison between pool and snooker balls to learn more.
Hence, American pool cues need to be the heaviest, followed by snooker cues and finally English pool cues are the lightest.
Average Cue Weight:
- American pool cues usually weigh between 19-21 oz.
- Snooker cues usually weigh between 16-18 oz.
- English pool cues usually weigh between 15-18 oz.
The weight-balance of the cue also varies.
Snooker cues typically have more weight towards the tip of the cue, whereas pool cues generally have more weight in the grip.
This is because snooker players like to have more weight on their bridge hand to improve accuracy, whereas pool players like to have more weight in the grip to apply the correct level of force.
Cue Tip Size
American pool cues have larger tips compared to snooker cues. English pool cues have the smallest cue tips. This is all due to the size of the cue ball used in each game.
Cue Ball Sizes:
- American pool cue balls have a 2 1/4″ (57 mm) diameter
- English pool cue balls have a 1 7/8″ (47.5 mm) diameter
- Snooker cue balls have a 2 1/16″ (52.5 mm) diameter
Hence, for the cue tip to be the optimal size for the cue ball, it varies between sports. Here are the average cue tip sizes for each cue sport.
Cue Tip Sizes:
- American pool cue tip size: 13 mm
- English pool cue tip size: 8-9 mm
- Snooker cue tip size: 9-10 mm
American pool and snooker cue balls are fairly similarly sized, but you will notice that the snooker cue tip is significantly smaller compared to the American pool cue.
In fact, the cue ball in snooker is only around 8% smaller than the cue ball in American pool, whereas the cue tips are roughly 35% smaller in snooker compared to American pool. So why is there such a difference between the cue tip sizes?
Snooker is a game that focuses more on finesse and precision in comparison to American pool where more force and power is usually needed. Bigger cue tips generate more power, whereas smaller cue tips make it easier to finesse the cue ball.
In all three cue sports, there is some variation in the tip sizes available, but usually only by 1-2 mm.
Check out this article comparing cue tip sizes to learn more about their pros and cons in snooker and pool.
Materials
There are two main differences to consider here: the wood and the ferrule. In both cases, English pool and snooker cues share the same features, whereas American pool cues differ from them both.
- American pool cues are typically made from maple and have plastic or carbon ferrules
- English pool and snooker cues are made from ash and have brass ferrules
Ash has a prominent grain, whereas maple is smooth and plainer looking. Ash has a density of roughly 700 kg/m3 whereas maple has a density of 740 kg/m3. This also means that American pool cues are harder and heavier, which again makes sense giving the emphasis is on power.
The plastic/ carbon ferrule on American pool cues is longer and capable of handling more force in comparison to the brass ferrule found on snooker and English pool cues. This is important because American pool cues need to be capable of handling more force as the cue ball is larger.
In all three cue sports, the cue tip is usually made from leather. Screw-in cue tips are also favoured instead of glue-on tips. Check out this article comparing screw-in and glued-on cue tips to learn more.
Length
Most pool and snooker cues are 57″ in length. It is very rare to find a snooker or English pool cue which is longer than 57″, but some American pool cues are 58″ in length. This is because the table is bigger in American pool compared to English pool.
Snooker tables are the largest but many players use a butt to extend the length of their snooker cue for certain shots. This ensures it is a manageable size when necessary. Some pool players will also use a butt but it is not as common.
Check out this article comparing pool and snooker tables to learn more.
Other Differences
Here are several other differences that can be observed between pool and snooker cues:
- Snooker cues are typically slightly stiffer compared to pool cues which are usually more flexible
- Some pool cues use wraps which are designed to offer more grip. Check out this article on pool cue wraps to learn more about their pros and cons.
- Cues can often be split into two pieces to make them easier to transport. American pool cues usually split in the centre, whereas English pool and snooker cues split at the 3/4 point. Check out this article comparing one, two and three piece cues to learn more.
Can You Play Snooker With a Pool Cue?
It is possible to play snooker with an American pool cue, however it is more difficult. American pool cues have larger cue tips and are heavier, which makes it more difficult to control the smaller cue ball found in snooker.
It is possible to play snooker with an English pool cue because they share many of the same features. The cue tips are a similar size, the weights are fairly similar and they both are made from ash and use a brass ferrule.
Can You Play Pool With a Snooker Cue?
It is not recommended to play American pool with a snooker cue because the cue tip is too small and may become damaged by the larger and heavier cue ball found in American pool. It is possible to play English pool with a snooker cue because the cue tips are a fairly similar size, and the weight is similar too.
Check out this article to learn more about the differences between American and English pool cues.
Here are some more articles that you might find useful: