In snooker and pool, players often spend a great deal of time choosing a cue that feels “just right.” Weight, tip size, balance, and wood quality all play a role. But one often overlooked aspect is the joint — the way the cue is put together. Cue joints influence portability, feel, and even how a player connects with their shot.
When you strike a cue ball, the energy you create has to travel from your body through the cue, before finally transferring into the ball. How smoothly that energy travels is influenced by the cue joint — the way the cue is constructed.
To make sense of this, imagine each cue type as if you’re pushing a brick across the floor. How that brick reacts — whether it shifts smoothly or loses energy along the way — depends on whether the brick is one solid piece or broken into smaller sections. This is exactly how cue joints affect the transfer of power from the player into the cue ball. The fewer interruptions between you and the end of the brick, the smoother and more efficient the push.
In this article, we’ll explore the four main types of cue joints — Two Piece, 3/4, One Piece, and Multi Joint — breaking down their advantages and disadvantages to help players make an informed decision.
One Piece Cue (approx. 150 – 155cm long including the case)
With a One Piece cue, it is a single length of wood — there are no joints at all. A One Piece cue is like a solid, unbroken brick. When you push against it, all the force goes directly through to the other end. There are no cracks, no joins, no interruptions. This is the most used type of cue by professional and semi-professional players.
Advantages:
- Power transfer: The energy flows in one clean motion, without interruption, which can provide a smoother and more consistent strike.
- Feel: Provides the most natural and consistent feedback when striking the cue ball.
- Durability: There’s no joint to loosen or wear out, making it more robust over time.
- Traditional aesthetic: Many players love the classic look and feel.
Disadvantages:
- Portability: At full length, a One Piece cue is not convenient for travel and is awkward to carry. You must accept that you’ll be carrying around a case almost as tall as yourself, and that it would be difficult to place in your car.
- Cost: Requires a long, flawless piece of timber, making it more expensive.
Summary: Purest transfer of energy and best feel, but not the most practical to carry around.
3/4 Joint Cue (approx. 120 - 125cm long including the case)
With a 3/4 joint cue, the joint is closer to the butt, leaving most of the shaft intact. The 3/4 cue is like having a large solid brick with only a small portion at one end joined on separately. Most of the brick remains one piece, so the energy still flows through smoothly, but you’ve gained the convenience of being able to break it down. This is why many professionals prefer it.
Advantages:
- Power transfer: Stronger energy transfer than a Two Piece, as the shaft remains largely uninterrupted.
- Feel: Provides a solid, true strike that feels close to a One Piece.
- Portability: Easier to carry and store than a One Piece cue.
- Professional appeal: Favoured by many serious players as the best compromise.
Disadvantages:
- Portability: Not as compact as a Two Piece cue for travel.
- Power transfer: Slightly less pure than a One Piece cue due to the joint.
Summary: The best compromise — efficient power transfer, good feel, and reasonable portability.
Two Piece Cue – The Brick Split in Half (approx. 75 – 80cm long including the case)
A Two Piece cue breaks in half at the centre. Now imagine the brick cut cleanly in two, joined back together in the middle. When you push, the brick still moves, but there’s a small seam where energy has to travel across. That joint can absorb or disturb some of the power.
Advantages:
- Portability: Easy to carry and store, breaking neatly into two smaller sections.
- Cost: Uses two shorter sections of wood, which are cheaper and easier to source.
- Convenience: Ideal for casual or travelling players.
Disadvantages:
- Power transfer: Less efficient than One Piece and 3/4 cues due to the centre joint.
- Feel: Not as smooth or natural as a single-piece shaft, with slightly less feedback.
- Durability: The centre joint can loosen or wear out over time.
Summary: Maximum portability and affordable, but with compromises in feel and power transfer.
Multi Joint Cue – The Brick in Segments (approx. 75 – 80cm long including the case)
Finally, picture a brick broken into several smaller segments, reconnected with joints. When you push against it, the brick still moves, but each seam has the potential to interrupt the flow of energy. The more seams, the less direct the power transfer feels.
Advantages:
- Portability: Easy to carry and store, breaking neatly into smaller sections
- Flexibility: Can be shortened with removable sections, alleviating difficulty whilst playing in tight spaces making it perfect for pub or home use
- Convenience: Ideal for casual or travelling players.
Disadvantages:
- Power transfer: Every joint creates a chance for energy loss.
- Feel: Feels less natural and smooth than other cues, with interruptions in feedback.
- Durability: Multiple joints mean more parts that can loosen or wear over time.
Summary: Maximum portability and adaptability, but the least direct power transfer and feel.
Choosing the Right Cue Joint
The “best” joint really depends on your priorities as a player:
- If you want the purest feel and power transfer: Choose a One Piece cue.
- If you want professional-level performance with practicality: The 3/4 joint cue is ideal.
- If you want something portable and affordable: Go for a Two Piece cue.
- If you want adaptability and maximum portability: A Multi Joint cue might be the answer.
Ultimately, the cue joint is just one part of the bigger picture. Shaft quality, tip size, weight, and personal comfort often matter just as much, if not more. Still, understanding how joints affect playability and convenience can help you choose the right cue for your needs.
Cue joints may seem like a minor detail, but they play a big role in how a cue feels, performs, and travels. From the classic simplicity of a One Piece cue to the flexibility of a Multi Joint design, each option carries its own strengths and compromises. By considering your playing style, how often you travel, and what matters most to you — feel, convenience, or adaptability — you can select a cue that not only fits your game but enhances it.
