Pool cues are a staple in any pool player’s arsenal. They’re the tool that helps you make shots more accurately and consistently, which is crucial for anyone who wants to be competitive. However, once you surpass the title of “beginner” in your pool gameplay, it’s time to upgrade your low-quality starter cue to a higher quality intermediate cue for improved technique and productive training.
The best pool cues for intermediate players include:
- Pure X by Players Technology Series HXT15
- McDermott Lucky L65 Leprechaun Cue
- Viking Valhalla Cue
- Viper Revolution Spider Pool Cue
- Lucasi Custom Mystic Black and Curly Maple Pool Cue
Each cue has its own pros and cons, rendering it the better choice for intermediates of varying ambitions.
There are many different kinds of pool cues on the market today, but not all of them are created equally. Therefore, in this article, we will list our top pool cue choices for intermediates, as well as why these are the best options available today.
Top 5 Pool Cues for Intermediate Players
Amidst the vast number of pool cues available to avid intermediate pool players, these five are undoubtedly the best.
- Pure X by Players Technology Series HXT15
- McDermott Lucky L65 Leprechaun Cue
- Viking Valhalla Cue
- Viper Revolution Spider Pool Cue
- Lucasi Custom Mystic Black and Curly Maple Pool Cue
This fact has been supported by countless sources with their own intermediate pool cue rankings. Of course, not everyone looks for the same thing in their pool stick, which is why we are going to detail the advantages of each stick. This will help you quickly find the one that suits you and your priorities, whether budget-related, technique-oriented, or purely linked to material quality.
Pure X by Players Technology Series HXT15
Players is one of the most renowned brands in the industry of pool cues, and for a good reason. The visual impact of this two-piece pool cue is astounding from its walnut-stained Birds-eye Maple forearm to the black double-pressed Irish linen wrap.
Of course, aesthetics isn’t just the only benefit of this cue; it also offers state-of-the-art technology that significantly decreases cue ball deflection, effectively elevating any intermediate’s gameplay. Additionally, its well-balanced build and high-tech ferrule with a Ledpro tip increases shot power and accuracy.
Apart from its significant cost and slight tendency to vibrate upon ball contact, there are few cons of opting for this cue.
McDermott Lucky L65 Leprechaun Cue
If the Leprechaun graphic on this cue isn’t enough to convince you it is the best and luckiest choice on our list, let us take through some of its more significant advantages.
This hard rock maple cue with Irish linen can definitely stand its ground amongst some of the highest quality intermediate cues on the market. The material ensures the cue is exceptionally durable and easy to grip, while the overall design allows for a smooth shot. The only complaint any players have with this cue is that the tip might feel uncharacteristically hard.
However, what it loses in tip softness, it makes up for in a vibrant exterior design and unbeatable price. This is arguably the best cue for intermediate players on a budget who don’t want to sacrifice cost for quality.
Viking Valhalla Cue
If you liked the looks of the McDermott Lucky L65 Leprechaun Cue, but it’s still a tad out of your budget range, then we’d like to introduce you to the Viking Valhalla Cue.
This cue is available for an even less expensive price while still retaining all of the qualities that make an intermediate cue an essential upgrade from low-quality beginner cues. Boasting the classic Irish linen, the Viking Valhalla cue provides exceptional grip and a durable tip for a smooth, controlled shot. However, you can also adjust the butt weight for additional control if necessary.
The cue also comes in a wide range of exterior designs, none of which inhibit its functionality and superb design.
Viper Revolution Spider Cue
Old-styled pool players might not always love Viper’s new Revolution Spider Cue, but many players nowadays praise this cue for its modern design unlike any other. Therefore, if you’re looking for something unique in your cue design, this might be the choice for you.
Starting with its exterior design and materials, the Viper Revolution Spider cue is wrapped in a webbed graphic for sinister presence at the pool table. The wrap is made from siliconized infused felt varnished with nine coats to prevent water absorption and warping. There is also a silicone-wrapped butt for additional grip. The shaft is made from hard Canadian maple, resulting in an overall lightweight pool cue.
Lightweight pool cues are relatively rare on the market, and finding one with exceptional performance is rarer still. Thankfully, this cue delivers on all accounts and more. Unfortunately, this also comes with a cost many pool players are reluctant to pay.
Lucasi Custom Mystic Black and Curly Maple Pool Cue
If none of the other pool cues have appealed to you, don’t worry. We’ve saved arguably the best choice for last.
The Lucasi Custom Mystic Black and Curly Maple pool cue already does a good job of detailing one of its many advantages in the title, meaning its durable and sleek black and curly maple material. However, this isn’t the cue’s feature players purchase it for.
Each cue is built with a Zero Flexpoint Solid Core Low Deflection Technology Shaft professional taper which is a long way to describe a type of design that’s caused numerous World Champions to drop their old cues for one of these bad boys.
Paired with a quick-release Uni-Loc® joint and a premium Tiger Everest Tip, this cue provides exceptional grip, ball control, and low deflection technology that’s nearly unmatched as far as intermediate pool cues are concerned. Of course, its classic and sleek exterior design doesn’t hurt either.
Final Thoughts
While we concede there is definitely a long list of other decent intermediate pool cues you could opt for, we believe these five are always amongst the top. Ultimately, you can’t really go wrong with choosing an intermediate pool cue from any of these brands; just make sure you know what you’re looking for in terms of technology, interior and exterior design, materials, and, most importantly, cost.
Intermediate pool cues aren’t cheap, but they can take your gameplay to the next level in a way beginner cues can’t, so if you intend to compete and even reach expert levels, you’ll want to invest in a decent intermediate cue sooner rather than later.