Ten Tools Every Pool Player Needs

There are tons of gadgets and gizmos for pool players all stating they are 'the last tool youll ever need' or 'the only tool youll ever need'. When you break past the marketing hype and look at daily activities of pool players there are a few things that you simply must have as a regular pool player. Weve compiled a quick list of these for you (assuming of course that you already have your pool cues):

#1 Pool Cue Case

It seems obvious, but youd be surprised at how many people dont have a quality case for their pool cue. If youre traveling around with your pool cue, you simply must have a quality pool cue case. Any case is going to provide protection, but a good hard case or box case is almost always preferable to a soft case.

#2 Pool Cue Cleaner

Lets face it, shafts get dirty. The more you play, the dirtier they get. Every pool player needs something for a quick clean in between racks. Thats why pool players carry around shaft cleaners with them. Whether it be a quick cleaner like the Q Clean or disposable towels like the Dawg Wipes by Slip Stic, you need something to give your shaft a quick clean to get rid of topical grime and stickiness.

#3 Shaft Sanders and Burnishing Papers

Topical cleaners will get most of the tackiness off of your cue, but over time youll need to do a deep cleaning. The best way to give your shaft a deep clean is with burnishing papers. Products like Nicks Edge and Q Smooth come with a variety of grades of micro-grit film depending on the level of cleaning you need. In addition, we highly recommend the Q-Wiz, as it is safe for your shaft, washable and reusable.

#4 Scuffers and Shapers

Always at the top of any pool players list are tip scuffers, a absolute essential for any player. Everyone has their own favorite brand of scuffer, whether it be the Cue Cube, Tip Pik or just a simple nickel or dime scuffer, but they all do the same thing. They rough up your tip to maximize chalk retention and as every pool player knows, the better the chalk retention, the less likely you are to miscue.

#5 Joint Protectors

If you care about extending the life of your pool cue, youll invest a few bucks in a set of joint protectors (also known as joint caps). Joint protectors do exactly what they say theyre going to do: protect your pool cue joint and pin from damage. They keep debris and lint from getting stuck in your threads and keep your cue just a little bit safer. As an added bonus, they look pretty slick, especially the branded joint caps.

#6 Break Cue

One of the first rules of owning your own cue is dont break with it. Break cues are made for a reason. They have harder tips, stronger ferrules and some even feature reinforced joints. Theyre made just for breaking so you dont mushroom and damage your shooting cue. Even if you dont want to use a break cue, just dont use your shooting cue to break.

#7 Hand Towel

It seems silly to mention because it is such a basic tool, but a hand towel of one sort or another is essential for any pool player. All that grime, sweat and grease that gets on your hands over the course of an evening at the pool hall belongs on a towel, not on your cue shaft and your linen wrap. Keep your hands clean and youll keep your cue clean, giving you a much smoother stroke.

#8 Pocket Marker

If you play 8 ball in a league like the APA, chances are you need some sort of pocket marker. Theyre used to show the pocket youre calling to sink the 8 ball. Not only do they help avoid arguments, but in the case of the APA, its the law. You cant play 8 ball in the APA without a pocket marker and using a bar coaster is just embarrassing, so get yourself a decent marker and use it regularly.

#9 Coin Holder

If youre like most of us, more often than not youre likely playing on coin-op tables. Unless you like walking around with a heavy, jangling pocket of quarters, you should consider investing a few bucks in a coin holder. Most coin holders carry up to $10 in quarters and fit in your case pocket.

#10 Entertainment

If youre playing in a tournament, theres lots of down time. If youre not in Vegas, typically theres very little to do between matches, so bring along some entertainment. Whether its an iPod, a deck of cards or a good book, bring something to pass the time.