You have been playing pool for a while and are wanting to get more serious. What is the next step? Maybe ready to step up from your beginner cue to the next level. The Viper Sinister could very well be the step up you are hunting.
Deflection Level
Mid level deflection60%
Hit and Feel
Solid contact with minimal vibration80%
Cost
Inexpensive80%
Appearance
Classic Look w/ Ash Butt & Linen Wrap90%
Overall Review
4/5
In a hurry? Here’s the bottom line. If you’re a casual player (Skill Level 3 to 4-ish) who doesn’t use extreme spin, this cue is the perfect one for you. The Viper Sinister has a classic look with its Irish linen wrap and even comes with a detachable scuffer from the bottom of the cue.
What's Deflection?Having low deflection is a good thing when shooting pool, especially among the higher skill. When English or Spin is applied to the cue ball, it creates "squirt" which veers the cue ball away from the intended direction. Using a Pool Cue with lower "deflection" helps negate that effect.
About Viper
Viper Sinister 2-Piece Cue w/ Natural Ash
Viper mass produces a wide variety of cues from one-piece house cues to mid-price 2 piece cues overseas. They have been a well know name in cue production for years and with the high volume they produce, they have been able to develop a consistent product for the price ranges they serve.
What Kind of Player Does this Suit?
Intermediate players looking for a better quality cue and who want to stay under $100 will appreciate what the Viper Sinister offers them.
Are you tired of taking a gamble on house cues/low quality cues that aren’t balanced or straight?
We’ve seen consistent well-balanced quality cues from Viper over and over again.
The consistent feedback of the cue, the standard Le Pro leather tip and a traditional linen wrap make this a good choice for the competitive players’ go to cue.
What Other Owners Have Said About It
We see very few complaints from its owners.
Like all maple shaft cues, the occasional warped shaft is mentioned but the distributor seems to be willing to make it right.
Many owners say that the feel of the Viper Sinister 58″ 2-Piece Billiard/Pool Cue is comparable to more expensive cues that they have used.
The nice weight balance is one of the top features that is mentioned by players that regularly use this cue.
Viper and Players are both reliable brands that have been around for a long time. You can’t go wrong with either, I’d argue at this point it’s a matter of appearance.
Bottom Line
The Viper Sinister is a well balanced cue. For under $100 it offers classic styling and a traditional look that could be expected in higher priced cues.
PROS:
Traditional Look
Built-in Tip Scuffer
Multiple Weight Options
CONS:
Contoured Butt may not be comfortable for everyone
Wood shaft vulnerable to warp
Less control than composite cues
Of course, its maple shaft will require proper care and treatment to prevent warping and nicking. You could easily spend $50-100 more on a different pool cue and not see an appreciable difference in performance over the Viper Sinister 58″ 2-Piece Billiard/Pool Cue. For APA skill levels 2 through 5, this will be a solid pick up.
Benny is the owner of Supreme Billiards and has been shooting pool and teaching people how to shoot pool for a few years now. He enjoys showing new players techniques and drills to improve their pool game.
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