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Players Cues
Quarter King stocks 68 Players pool cues, organized into eight design lines from entry one-piece house cues to the HXT low-deflection tier. Pricing runs about $50 to $400, built around 100% North American Grade A hard rock maple and a standard 5/16x18 joint on most models. This page walks through what separates Classic, Graphic, Artistic, Exotic, House, Shortie, Break/Jump and HXT cues, with a comparison table, the joint and shaft details that affect compatibility, and what AZBilliards forum members say about buying one. For the shafts and other non-cue Players items we carry, see the Players brand page.
Every item is brand new and 100% genuine, backed by its full manufacturer warranty. Free shipping on orders over $98 (contiguous US) and 30-day returns. Every spec on this page is checked against the manufacturer's published data by our Wilmington, NC store team.
Read the Players Cues guide
About Players Cues
About Players Pool Cues
Players is a value-tier pool cue line built from 100% North American Grade A hard rock maple, sold across eight distinct design lines at Quarter King. We currently list 68 Players cues, priced from about $50 for a one-piece house cue up to about $400 for the top HXT model, with 61 of the 68 in stock as of this listing. All eight lines share the same 100% North American Grade A hard rock maple build; what changes line to line is the wrap, the finish and, in the HXT tier, the shaft technology itself.
The largest line by count is Classic Cues at 26 models, followed by the HXT low-deflection series at 12, Graphic Cues at 7, Artistic Cues at 6, Break/Jump Cues at 6, and House Cues, Shortie Cues and Exotic Cues at four, four and two models respectively. Black is the most common finish across the range, with white, blue and brown as the next most frequent colors, so most lines give a buyer at least two or three finish choices at the same price and spec. A handful of models also show up in silver, gold, yellow, orange or purple accents, mostly inside the Artistic and Graphic lines where the design work is the point of the cue. The table below breaks out shaft, wrap, price and availability for each line.
Construction, in plain English
A few construction details carry across most of the Players range and are worth understanding before comparing individual cues.
Wood, joint and shaft
The butt and forearm on every Players cue we carry is 100% North American Grade A hard rock maple. Most of the range uses a threaded 5/16x18 joint, the most common playing-cue joint size in North America, so a Players butt will generally take aftermarket 5/16x18 shafts if a player wants to experiment. Shaft diameter runs 13.00mm on most Classic, Graphic, Artistic and Exotic models, while the HXT line spans 11.75mm to 13.00mm depending on the specific model, and every HXT shaft carries Players' low-deflection shaft technology rather than a standard maple taper. Our glossary defines joint, shaft and ferrule terms in more detail.
Wrap and finish
Wrap choice varies by design line rather than by price. Our data shows wrapless handles, Irish linen wraps, leather wraps and rubberized sport wraps spread across the Classic, Graphic, Artistic, Exotic and HXT lines, often with more than one wrap option inside a single line. House Cues and Shortie Cues are one-piece builds with no separate wrap section.
The Players series lineup
The table below compares all eight Players lines we carry, followed by a short note on each one.
| Series | SKUs | Shaft | Wrap | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Cues | 26 | 13.00mm Classic Wood | Wrapless, Linen, Leather | about $150-$260 | 24 in stock |
| HXT Cues | 12 | 11.75-13.00mm Classic Wood, HXT low-deflection | Wrapless, Linen, Leather, Sport | about $240-$400 | 8 in stock |
| Graphic Cues | 7 | 13.00mm Classic Wood | Wrapless, Linen | about $220-$300 | 7 in stock |
| Artistic Cues | 6 | 13.00mm Classic Wood | Sport, Linen | about $230-$280 | 5 in stock |
| Break/Jump Cues | 6 | 13.00mm Classic Wood, Turbo-Lock joint | Wrapless, Linen | about $220-$260 | 6 in stock |
| House Cues | 4 | 13.00mm Classic Wood, one-piece | None (one-piece) | about $50 | 4 in stock |
| Shortie Cues | 4 | 13.00mm Classic Wood, one-piece | None (one-piece) | about $50 | 4 in stock |
| Exotic Cues | 2 | 13.00mm Classic Wood | Wrapless, Leather | about $200-$220 | 2 in stock |
Classic Cues is the largest Players line at Quarter King, 26 models built around traditional four-point and diamond-style inlays over a wrapless, linen or leather handle. Pricing runs about $150 to $260, with 24 of the 26 currently in stock. Examples include the 4 Point Antique Maple Wrapless Cue and the Blue Birdseye Cue with Black Linen Wrap. See the full line on the Classic Cues page.
The HXT line carries Players' own low-deflection shaft technology across 12 models, priced about $240 to $400, with 8 of the 12 in stock. Shaft diameter ranges from 11.75mm to 13.00mm depending on the model, and several HXT cues are sold as variable products with a choice of color. Browse the full line on the HXT Cues page, including the HXT15.
Graphic Cues covers 7 models with bolder overlay and transfer-point designs than the Classic line, most in a linen wrap over antique or cobalt-stained birdseye maple. All 7 are currently in stock, priced about $220 to $300. See the full line, including the Cobalt Blue & Black Cue, on the Graphic Cues page.
Artistic Cues is a 6-model line built around sport-wrap and linen-wrap grips with graphic transfer designs, priced about $230 to $280 with 5 of the 6 in stock. The line includes the DDRG and the Anarchy Blue Sport Grip Cue. Full details are on the Artistic Cues page.
Break/Jump Cues is a 6-model line built for the opening shot and jump shots rather than everyday play, priced about $220 to $260 and all 6 currently in stock. Every model in this line uses a Turbo-Lock joint instead of the threaded 5/16x18 pin used elsewhere in the range, letting a player swap shafts quickly. See the JB12 and the rest of the line on the Break/Jump Cues page.
House Cues are one-piece 58 inch cues built for commercial rooms, home tables and casual play, priced about $50 across all 4 models and all currently in stock. They use the same true four-prong maple construction as the rest of the Players range without the two-piece joint. Details are on the House Cues page.
Shortie Cues are one-piece maple cues built shorter than a standard 58 inch cue, running from 36 inches up to 52 inches depending on the model, priced about $50 across all 4 lengths and all currently in stock, sized for a kid, a tight room or a compact travel cue. Full sizing and pricing is on the Shortie Cues page.
Exotic Cues is the smallest line at 2 models, priced about $200 to $220 and both currently in stock, including a zebrawood-fronted sneaky pete build. See both on the Exotic Cues page.
Joint, shaft and compatibility
Compatibility questions on a Players cue usually come down to two things: the joint pin and the shaft diameter. Because six of the eight lines share the same 5/16x18 pin, a player who wants to try a different Players shaft or one of our standalone HXT shafts on an existing Classic, Graphic, Artistic or Exotic cue generally can, so long as the shaft diameter is close to what the cue was built around.
Joint choice on a Players cue affects what else it will accept. The 5/16x18 joint used on Classic, Graphic, Artistic, Exotic, House and most HXT cues is one of the most common playing-cue joint sizes in North America, which is part of why the standalone HXT replacement shafts we carry fit so much of the lineup. The Turbo-Lock joint on the Break/Jump line is a different, quick-connect design and is not interchangeable with 5/16x18 parts. Shaft diameter runs from 11.75mm up through 13.00mm across the range, with 12.00mm and 12.75mm options inside the HXT tier specifically. Every shaft in the lineup is listed under our Classic Wood shaft type. See the full 5/16x18 joint archive for other brands using the same pin. A player who owns a non-HXT Players cue and wants the low-deflection upgrade can generally add one of our standalone HXT shafts rather than replacing the whole cue, since both use the same joint pin. That is a meaningfully cheaper path to a low-deflection shaft than buying a whole new cue, and it keeps whatever wrap and finish a player already likes.
Who Players Pool Cues suits
Players on the AZBilliards forums describe the Classic and HXT lines as an easy recommendation for a first real cue, particularly an APA or BCA league player stepping up from a house stick. A buyer weighing the HXT tier against pricier low-deflection shafts should expect a bit more deflection on hard English in exchange for a lower price, a tradeoff several forum members describe as worthwhile at this price point. The Graphic, Artistic and Exotic lines suit a player who wants a design statement rather than a plain build, while the House and Shortie lines are built for rooms, families and casual tables rather than league play. A shopper who cannot decide between two colorways in the same line is choosing on looks alone, since shaft and joint spec do not change within a line. A shopper outfitting a home table for kids or casual guests, rather than buying a personal playing cue, is generally better served by a House or Shortie cue than by stepping up to the HXT tier.
Warranty and what to know
Every Players model on this page lists a lifetime guarantee against warpage as its warranty coverage; we have not been able to confirm additional written terms beyond that guarantee. Quarter King's standard 30-day return window applies separately to any Players cue bought from us, with the buyer covering return shipping. Keeping a cue cased and away from direct heat, including a hot car trunk, is the simplest way to avoid a warpage claim in the first place.
For the rest of what we carry under the Players name, including three standalone HXT replacement shafts sized to fit most of the cues on this page, see the Players brand page. To compare Players against the rest of our lineup, browse the full pool cues category, or step over to pool cue cases if a new cue needs somewhere to travel.
Players Cues Specs at a Glance
- Joint Type: 5/16X18, One-Piece, Turbo-Lock, 5/16X18 Piloted
- Shaft Size: 13.00mm, 12.75mm, 12.00mm, 11.75mm
- Wrap Options: Wrapless, Linen Wrap, Sport Wrap, Leather Wrap
- Shaft Material: Classic Wood
- Colors: Black, White, Blue, Brown
What Players is known for
Players is one of the longest-running mass-market pool cue brands in North America, built around affordable, durable cues rather than custom-shop pedigree. The catalog runs from decorative graphic and classic cues through break/jump and artistic designs, all built on 100% North American grade hard rock maple with a high-gloss UV finish that resists chipping and fading. Players' step-up move was rebranding its low-deflection shaft as Pure X (formerly HXT), a lightweight polymer-core shaft paired with a Kamui Black soft tip, priced well below most low-deflection competitors. The brand is a fixture at pool halls and sporting goods retailers, often a player's first "real" cue. Every Players cue, from the cheapest graphic stick to the Pure X line, carries the same manufacturer's lifetime warranty against warping and defects.
We currently stock 67 Players items, from $47 to $385.
| Line | Typical price | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Classic & Graphic Cues | $47 – $150 | Entry maple cues with decorative wraps, points, and graphic designs on a standard shaft |
| Break/Jump & Artistic Cues | $100 – $250 | Specialty hitting cues and artistic designs on the same maple platform |
| Pure X / HXT Series | $250 – $395 | Performance tier with the Pure X low-deflection shaft and Kamui Black soft tip |
The Players lineup
Players Classic Series Cues $153–$263
The Players Classic Series is Players' longest-running line of affordable maple cues: simple point patterns and solid colours in wrapless and linen-wrapped styles. Built on the same hardrock maple shaft, high-gloss finish, and lifetime…
Players HXT Cues $242–$385
Players HXT Cues are built around the PureX low-deflection shaft — a lightweight polymer-core shaft designed to cut cue-ball deflection versus a solid maple shaft — and ship standard with a Kamui Black soft…
Players Graphic Series Cues $219–$301
The Players Graphic Series takes the same hardrock maple platform as Classic and adds transfer-printed artwork — metallic finishes, tribal and floral patterns — sealed under a high-gloss UV coating. It sits a step…
Players Break & Jump Cues $219–$263
Players' Break/Jump Cues (the JB and E-JC models) are dedicated, purpose-built cues for breaking and jumping, sold and priced separately from Players' playing cues. We could not independently verify shaft, tip, or ferrule specifications…
Players Artistic Series Cues $231–$285
The Players Artistic Series swaps Classic's simple points for full illustrated themes — dragons, wolves, jesters — wrapped up the forearm and sleeve. Built on the same hardrock maple platform as the rest of…
Players House Cues $50
Players House Cues are a single one-piece maple cue built for pool rooms, bars and home game rooms that need a durable rack cue rather than a two-piece playing cue. We list this cue…
Players Shortie Cues $47–$53
Players Shortie Cues are the same one-piece hard rock maple cue as our Players House Cues, cut to four fixed-weight compact lengths instead of a full 58 inches: 36, 42, 48 and 52 inches.…
Players Exotic Series $199–$219
The Players Exotic Series puts figured hardwoods and hand-applied graphics on an otherwise standard two-piece playing cue. Across the line, forearms and butt sleeves come in cocobolo, walnut, purple heart, birdseye maple and zebrawood,…
What joint does Players use, and which shafts fit?
About 89% of the Players cues we stock use the 5/16X18 joint. The joint is what decides shaft fitment — thread and face both have to match, so a shaft cut for a different pin will not thread on no matter how good it is.
Shafts that fit most Players cues
Everything with a 5/16X18 joint · Joint & pin identifier · Shaft fit finder
Players technology, in plain English
- Pure X Low Deflection Shaft
- A lightweight polymer-core shaft (formerly branded HXT) built to reduce cue ball deflection at a budget price.
- Kamui Black Soft Tip
- A soft, high-grip tip fitted standard on Pure X cues for better spin control.
What players say about Players
Consistently praised for
- Great value for a beginner or league cue that won't warp
- Pure X shaft plays noticeably softer than the price suggests
- Graphic and classic designs look sharp for the money
- Lifetime warranty gives peace of mind rare at this price tier
- Widely available so parts and replacements are easy to find
Common criticisms
- Fit and finish is mass-production quality, not custom-shop level
- Joint and ferrule hardware feel basic compared to $400+ custom cues
- Non-Pure X models still use a standard maple shaft with normal deflection
- Resale value is low since these are entry cues, not collectibles
Who makes Players?
Players is an independent cue brand; Energy is its own separate, lower-priced product line rather than a distinct manufacturer.
Brands under the same roof:
- Energy — Players' own budget-tier line, sold under a separate name but made by the same company
- Made in: Not disclosed by Players or its retailers
- Warranty: Manufacturer's lifetime warranty against warping and defects
Also worth a look at this price
If you like where Players sits on price but want to compare before you commit, these land in the same range:
- Cuetec — similar low-deflection technology at a comparable price
- McDermott Star Series — a step up in fit and finish for players outgrowing an entry cue
Brand Compatibility
The joint is what decides whether a shaft fits, and most cues in Players Cues use the 5/16X18 pin. That is the same 5/16X18 pin used across Action, Meucci, Rage, Valhalla and Xcel, so shafts move between them — always confirm the exact pin before buying.
Browse Players Cues
Brands in Players Cues
Shaft Type in Players Cues
Guides & buying advice
- Pool Cue Purchasing Guide
- Biado, Duong and Maciol Are Out: What Early Exits at the $300,000 World 10-Ball Championship Teach Club Players
- Ashley Benoit Goes Undefeated to Win the Palmetto State Women’s Championship: What League Players Can Take From Spartanburg
- Sixty-Four Players, Races to Four, and a Shootout: Inside the 2026 Poison Saigon Women’s 9-Ball Open
- Roland Garcia Runs Undefeated Through the 2026 Predator Texas Open 9-Ball: Three Lessons From Round Rock for League Players
Frequently asked questions about Players Cues
How many Players cues does Quarter King carry?
We list 68 Players pool cues across eight design lines, priced about $50 to $400, with 61 currently in stock.
What is the difference between Players Classic and HXT cues?
Classic Cues use a standard maple shaft, while HXT cues add Players' low-deflection shaft technology. HXT models cost more, about $240 to $400 versus $150 to $260 for Classic.
What joint does a Players Break/Jump cue use?
Break/Jump Cues use a Turbo-Lock quick-connect joint instead of the threaded 5/16x18 pin used on the rest of the Players range, letting a player swap shafts quickly.
Are Players House and Shortie cues different from the two-piece lines?
Yes. House and Shortie Cues are one-piece maple cues with no joint at all, priced about $50 each, while the rest of the Players range is two-piece.
Which Players shaft size should I choose?
Most Players cues run a 13.00mm shaft. The HXT line also offers 11.75mm, 12.00mm and 12.75mm options for a player who prefers a slimmer pro-taper feel.
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