One of the critical features of a pool cue is that it can quickly be recognized if a player is a professional or not.
Typically, if a player is a skilled one, you can notice that their cue looks beautiful, professional, and intimidating.
Some say that it is a way for them to feel good about themselves and gain more confidence. Also, doing this can make the opponent or the other player figure out who he or she is dealing with.
On the other hand, some players want a simple-looking cue but have tremendous control like a Sneaky Pete Pool Cue.
Have you heard about them before? Are you aware of its qualities? What makes it well-known to most pool players? Here are a few reasons why:
- Behind its sneaky name has an interesting story. The Sneaky Pete is created to look like a traditional house cue instead of those customized cues.
- The idea of this is that people tend to underestimate the skills and capacities of their competitors. And that can be an advantage of using a Sneaky Pete Pool Cue.
Sneaky Pete cues are for all lifestyles. If you are on a tight budget, we got you covered. If you are a beginner or an experienced player, don’t worry. This article is what you are looking for.
Typically, the Sneaky Pete can be as cheap as $90 up to $500.
We are not only giving you a piece of brief information and in-depth reviews of each product, but we are also allowing you to know and understand its key features.
We have listed down these pool cues according to their features and qualities. Read on!
Best Sneaky Pete Pool Cues – Our Top Choices
Let’s start with the best Sneaky Pete Pool Cue, which is the Lucasi Custom Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Pool Cue.
Followed by the runner-up, the Pure-X Sneaky Pete Pool Cue; The best basic of all, which is the McDermott Star S1; The below $100 pool cue, which is the Players S-PSPR Rosewood and Maple; and the budget-friendly Rage Heavy Hitter Break Cue.
1. Lucasi Custom Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Pool Cue
First on the list is the Lucasi Custom Birds-Eye Maple Sneaky Pete Cue.
Typically, if you’re a very familiar player with how to play and do various tricks during the pool game, this one is definitely for you.
The key feature of this product is its low-deflection shaft which can be an opportunity for the player to make moves that are consistent and more predictable.
It has a birds-eye maple construction, which is rare and hard to find. The imitation mother of pearl inlays also adds to its beauty and elegance.
Also, considering that it has a Tiger Everest tip, it is one of the most durable, hard tips, according to Lucasi company. It is felt like a medium tip that can help you control and speed of the cue ball.
Another thing is that the Lucasi Custom Birds-Eye Maple has a solid-core shaft and lightweight polymer ferrule called the Zero Flexpoint.
This ferrule type is considered one of the best low-deflecting materials with a solid hit.
Aside from the mentioned advantages, the Lucasi Birds-Eye Sneaky Pete Pool Cue has Uni-Loc Joints meaning it can ensure that the two-piece construction will not negatively affect the pool cue when it comes to its alignment and accuracy.
Its finish is smooth and durable for long-term use.
Read: Best Pool Cues
Pros
- Low-deflection shaft
- Solid construction
Cons
- Expensive but you will love it for sure
2. Pure-X Low-Deflection Sneaky Pete Pool Cue
Second on our list is the Pure-X Low-Deflection Sneaky Pete Pool Cue.
Although it does not look as fancy and expensive as the Lucasi pool cue, this product will allow its player to enjoy its feature that is worth comparing to others.
Considering that it has a lower and cheaper price, it is very advisable for beginners and intermediate pool players. It has no crazy inlays like the Lucasi Sneaky Pete and it really does look like an ordinary house cue.
Some of its qualities include being consistent and more secure because it has a softer tip with a lightweight polymer core.
Also, it has a low-deflection shaft like the Lucasi but is not as consistent as the other.
This is why it may have a difference in the performance and the ability to help the player be more flexible and have better activity.
Read: Best Pool Cues for Intermediate Players
Pros
- Budget-friendly low deflection cue
- Has qualities closer to other expensive pool cues
Cons
- Not as consistent as the Lucasi Sneaky Pete
3. McDermott Star S1 Pool Cue
Next on the list is the McDermott Star S1 Pool Cue which is very common for pool cue beginners.
Luckily, it has genuine features, such as a rugged leather tip for prolonged use. Also, it can deliver lesser ball spin that will make a move even better and smoother.
For the McDermott Pool cue to have that extra sneakiness, it needs to have a wood-to-wood joint rather than a stainless steel butt.
Did you know that not all cheap cues have the kind of quality that the Star S1 have?
This is the reason why beginners, as well as intermediate players, love this product. It doesn’t have a low-deflection shaft, but still offers tons of playability. Right off the bat, this pool cue is straight as an arrow and is ready to be used immediately.
Pros
- Affordable
- Great starter cue
Cons
- Shaft is not low-deflection
4. Players S-PSPR Sneaky Pete Cue
The Players S-PSPR Sneaky Pete Cue. It is a more traditional pool cue with the same price point as the Rage Heavy Hitter cue below.
This Sneaky Pete is simple and easy to play with. I can recommend this pool cue if you are a beginner or wanted to get an inexpensive pool cue. It is a two-piece pool cue and has wood-to-wood joints.
Although this product may seem very basic, it is expected to make the pool cue ball move effectively.
Not only that, but it allows the player to deliver more consistent balls. Its durability is more than enough for starters but don’t expect that you can get the same quality as the Lucasi or Predator pool cues.
Given its price point, the shaft is not a low-deflection one but the Players S-PSPR is decent and can be used as your everyday carry.
Out of the box, the Players S-PSPR is straight as an arrow. However, its tip may need some shaping to accommodate your playing needs.
Read: Best Pool Cues for Beginners
Pros
- It has a decent cue ball control
- Performance is on par with other entry-level cues
Cons
- It doesn’t have the most durable construction
5. Rage Heavy Hitter Sneaky Pete Break Cue
If you are looking for a Sneaky Pete Break cue, then you might consider this amazing product from RAGE.
It’s an affordable break cue but has amazing features. It has an exciting quality that can also be a good competitor to other expensive break cues.
The Heavy Rage cue weighs about 25 ounces.
Also, it has a hard-ish leather tip that moves for accuracy and gives you power breaks.
Although it is mainly a break cue, I know some players who love using it as their full-time shooter. And if you are like them, using a heavier cue, then you might like the idea as well.
I like to point out that because this is a very heavy cue, it also has heavy english. It can draw the cue ball fairly strongly!
Read: Best Break Cues
Pros
- It has a solid break cue that doesn’t easily break the bank
Cons
- Some players experienced warping after a year of usage
What Should You Look for In Buying A Sneaky Pete Pool Cue?
The primary purpose of letting you know the advantages and disadvantages of a Sneaky Pete cue is to make your opponents not underestimate your skills and capabilities as a player.
It is pretty simple; you might wonder how you would pick a cue that won’t give away its advanced performance features.
For you to determine what pool cue you would pick, let’s take a look at the key features of a Sneaky Pete cue.
The Design
The most essential feature of the Sneaky Pete cue is its design. You need to know that a high-quality Sneaky Pete will look like a cheap one-piece house cue. Here are some of the reasons why:
- It has a wood-to-wood joint.
- It does not have a wrap. Most expensive pool cues have a wrap to secure the outer look of the product.
- It has a wood-grain finish. Typically, an expensive pool cue requires a well-finished and colorful design, but the Sneaky Pete cue has that wood-grain finish that makes it seem cheaper.
- The less fancy the pool cue looks, the better.
The Shaft diameter
The diameter of a typical pool cue is about 11-14 mm.
As a general rule, a thinner shaft provides more refined control over the tip’s position against the ball. Meaning it can make easier moves and english.
On the other hand, a thicker tip can provide lesser control but makes the shot more predictable. To be sure, you can go for the 12-13 mm cue.
The Deflection
When it comes to pool cue performance, deflection is the most essential feature of all Sneaky Pete pool cues.
It is the displacement of the ball from the trajectory.
Result-oriented buyers need to look for a pool cue that has a low-deflection shaft. It has a thinner and lighter shaft that makes it more flexible and convenient to use.
In addition, it allows lesser vibration when you are hitting the pool ball.
The Tip
A pool cue can have a hard, medium, or soft tip.
Hard tip usually is more durable but can be more predictable because of its lower spin, while the softer tip is more forgiving to off-center shots and can have more potential.
A professional player usually uses hard tip cues, while newbies prefer soft or medium ones.
The Taper
Pool cues have a taper from the bottom part to the tip, and it usually has two types; the pro and conical. The pro taper is more gradual, wherein it gets narrow faster. With this, pro cues can be more consistent as you pull it back.
The Weight
Normally, a pool cue weighs about 17-21 ounces. It is most likely the ideal cue for a pool player. The light cues have lesser deflection and allow a more precise move for a more skillful shot.
But, a lighter cue will probably be more disadvantageous since it is more difficult to use.
Generally, lighter cues have less deflection and allow for more precision for skill shots.
However, a cue that’s too light for you will probably put you at a disadvantage since you won’t have a good feel of it. While a heavy cue will make you lower the butt when hitting the pool ball.
Final Words
Now that you have all the information you need, we hope to help you decide to buy the best Sneaky Pete Pool cue that will eventually satisfy your pool playing needs!
If you ask us, what is our personal favorite? Well, we’ll go with the Lucasi Custom Sneaky Pete Pool Cue. It can go well with both professional and beginner pool players, considering its very unique features.
But if you like the other pool cues that we mentioned above, you are free to choose what suits you better. Remember that you should always consider the value and quality.
No matter what product you are going to use, a Sneaky Pete pool cue is one of the best buys you can see on the market. Having good material and perfect practice will help you gain your confidence and eventually win a game.
It may sound cliché but it will definitely be a game-changer.
Always make room for improvement, you cannot win every time, there might be struggles and challenges but do not let them hinder you from achieving your goal to win with the help of the Sneaky Pete Pool Cue.