A pool cue is made of different parts that only a pool player will understand. Suffice it to say that the heavy, lower piece of the cue is the cue butt, and the smaller, narrower end is the shaft. The two cue pieces are attached at the joint. Traditional designs employ a fully-threaded connection. Newer versions employ half-threaded “quick pin release” connections that allow players to assemble and disassemble their cues faster.

Pool cue joints are made of various materials. Plastic, brass, stainless steel or wood are common. Some custom made cues are made of bone, antlers and other exotic materials. Seasoned players lean towards brass of steel joints because they respond less to temperature changes. This preserves the life of the cue because the materials contract or expand less.