What weight pool cue should I choose?

Most players find 19-20 oz ideal for all-around play. Heavier cues (20-21 oz) provide more power for breaking, while lighter cues (18-19 oz) offer more finesse and control. Beginners should start with 19-20 oz as it provides good balance between power and accuracy.

What is low deflection in pool cues and is it worth it?

Low deflection (LD) refers to how much the cue ball squirts sideways when you apply english (sidespin). LD shafts have reduced tip-end mass, causing less cue ball deflection and making aiming more intuitive. They are worth it for players who use a lot of english or are struggling with accuracy on spin shots.

How much should I spend on my first quality pool cue?

For your first quality cue, $150-300 provides excellent options that will last years and support your development. Cues in this range feature straight maple shafts, quality tips, and reliable construction from brands like Action, Athena, and entry-level McDermott.

What tip size is best - 11mm, 12mm, or 13mm?

Standard tips are 12.75-13mm, which are forgiving and great for beginners. Smaller tips (11-12mm) allow more precise cue ball contact and spin generation but require more accuracy. For general play and learning fundamentals, stick with 12.75-13mm until you develop preferences through experience.

Carbon fiber shaft vs wood - which is better?

Carbon fiber shafts never warp, provide consistent hit regardless of humidity, and offer maximum low-deflection. Wood shafts provide traditional feel and feedback many players prefer. Carbon fiber typically costs $500-1500 for the shaft alone. For most recreational players, quality wood shafts perform excellently.

What brands make the best pool cues?

Premium American brands include Predator (low-deflection technology leader), McDermott (Wisconsin craftsmanship, lifetime warranty), and Jacoby (handcrafted customs). Mid-range value leaders include Cuetec, Viking, and Lucasi. Budget-friendly options from Action and Players serve recreational players well.

How do I know if a pool cue shaft is warped?

Roll the cue on a pool table or flat surface - a straight shaft rolls smoothly while a warped one wobbles. Also sight down the shaft like a rifle, rotating it to check for curves. To prevent warping: store cues vertically in a case, avoid car trunks and temperature extremes, and never lean cues against walls.

Do I need separate break and playing cues?

For serious players, yes. Break shots stress equipment significantly - the repeated hard impacts can damage playing cue tips, joints, and even warp shafts over time. Dedicated break cues feature reinforced construction, phenolic tips, and heavier weight optimized for powerful breaks.

What is the difference between 1-piece and 2-piece cues?

Two-piece cues disconnect at the joint (mid-cue) for easy transport and storage in cases. One-piece cues do not come apart. Two-piece is standard for serious players - the joint does not affect playability when properly manufactured. One-piece cues are typically inexpensive house cues.

How often should I replace my cue tip?

Replace tips when they are worn down to 1/8 inch height, become mushroomed (wider than ferrule), harden significantly, or will not hold chalk properly. Typical replacement frequency is every 6-12 months for regular players. Proper tip maintenance (shaping, scuffing, chalking correctly) extends tip life significantly.

Sale!

McDermott Stinger NG01 Jump/Break Cue

Rated 4.79 out of 5 based on 38 customer ratings

(38 customer reviews)

Original price was: $485.00.Current price is: $436.50.

McDermott NG01 pool cue featuring 29″ hard rock maple patented Stinger shaft with a 10-12″ pro taper shaft. G-Core.

Select an option

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McDermott Cue Manufacturing has produced premium American-made cues since 1975, setting industry standards for quality and innovation. The McDermott Stinger NG01 Jump/Break features 29″ hard rock maple patented Stinger shaft with a 10-12″ pro taper shaft, None wrap for exceptional playability.

Weight	1.4 lbs
Dimensions	3 × 3 × 33 in
Tip	13mm Phenolic
Ferrule	1/2" Ivorene ferrule
ColorSB	Pink, Yellow
Shaft	29" hard rock maple patented Stinger shaft with a 10-12" pro taper
Pin	3/8×10
Collar	No Collar
Forearm	Maple with four recon ebony and yellow veneer points, quick-release joint for jump cue , Maple with four recon ebony and yellow veneer points, quick-release joint for jump cueÿ
Wrap	None
Butt Sleeve	Rosewood , Rosewoodÿ
Butt Plate	Cream composite with gold McDermott logo , Cream composite with gold McDermott logoÿ
Bumper	Black rubber with McDermott logo, Black rubber with McDermott logoÿ
Weight Changable	Yes
Type of weight bolt	WBMCD
Select an option	18, 19, 20, 21
Comes With Joint Protector?	No
Comes With Extension?	No
Comes With Case?	No
Warranty	Lifetime
Made in	US

38 reviews for McDermott Stinger NG01 Jump/Break Cue

Rated 4 out of 5

Karen P. – January 10, 2020

pleasant solid break cue

Without a doubt, i won this in a tournament raffle and was hesitant at first to use it only b/c it has a phenoic tip and i’m used to breaking with a leather tip…. this is a very solid break cue stick IF you don’t use a lot of english in your break. i use english and find a leather tips grabs the ball better – so if you’re used to that you might have to adjust your break for this stick but overall this is a amazing cue with a solid feel.
Rated 5 out of 5

Karen G. – January 11, 2020

18oz stinger

To be frank, i wanted a lighter break/jump combo with more control. I adore this cue,it fit the bill perfectly. I also had a samsara hard leather tip installed instead of the phenolic, so much more control.
Rated 5 out of 5

Amy C. – January 16, 2020

Breaker Breaker

Good silky powerful breaks with no ‘WOW’ to the Cue. Transfers English to the pool cue ball with accuracy for excellent action.
Rated 5 out of 5

Bob A. – January 27, 2020

McDermott Stinger

I have to say, awesome cue!! Feels amazing breaking the rack & makes jump shots almost effortless. Very well made and balanced and a excellent value for the price point ! I would also recommend the McDermott jump handle as a excellent addition to this already fantastic cue.
Rated 5 out of 5

Beth N. – February 11, 2020

Great Stick

Works fantastic, I got a custom tip on it so I’m not sure how the stock stop is.
Rated 5 out of 5

Sam T. – February 20, 2020

Break stick

So far so satisfactory
Rated 5 out of 5

Jordan M. – February 21, 2020

Break jump

Great cue. Dropped it on my first day in the parking lot and dinged it up but it still shoots superb!
Rated 5 out of 5

Dan C. – February 25, 2020

McDermott NG01 Stinger Break Jume Cue

Really like this stick! Busts the balls apart on the break and jumps well too!
Rated 5 out of 5

Lisa F. – March 14, 2020

It’s very nice (in Borat voice)

I love this cue stick. I’ve been breaking much better with this cue than my previous break pool cue. It provides a sturdy hit every time.
Rated 5 out of 5

Sarah N. – March 20, 2020

I’m very content with my experience!

I purchased a McDermott Stinger jump/break cue stick from PoolDawg. The pool cue itself is just what I hoped for and I couldn’t be happier with the cue stick. PoolDawg customer service was outstanding. I am really satisfied with my experience with PoolDawg and suggest them.
Rated 5 out of 5

Jordan A. – March 26, 2020

Stinger NGO1

This NGO1 is everything I hoped it would be.
Rated 5 out of 5

Lisa E. – June 27, 2020

McDermott NG01 Stinger break/jump cue

I must admit, i previously used a McDermott jump handle with standard maple shaft and phenolic tip for jumping. Was very surprised with the ease that the Stinger gets the ball in the air. Superb value.
Rated 5 out of 5

Pat F. – September 25, 2020

Stinger break cue

The stick breaks good and the cost was good.
Rated 5 out of 5

Taylor W. – October 16, 2020

Joss Thorhammer

Ended up sending it back because it wasn’t the color I was looking for, my own fault. Michele from returns was very helpful in exchanging it for the Joss Thorhammer Break cue. Appreciate the look of the new pool cue and can’t wait to try it once pool halls open Back up.
Rated 5 out of 5

John K. – October 25, 2020

Amazing break/jump cue stick

From my perspective, i use this break/jump cue to break on a 7′ bar table for APA. It really scatters the ball without having to power break. My stick is 18.5oz (lowest it can go without weights; ordered 18oz), but I’ve learned to adjust to the extra 0.5oz. Build and finish is top notch. The jump handle unscrews easily since it’s a quick release. The shaft is really durable built. The phenolic tip is perfectly shaped where you don’t have to worry about miscue, but it launches the pool cue ball hard into the rack. It also jumps amazing, especially if you buy the stinger jump handle. And McDermott has excellent warranty and customer service, so you don’t have to worry about anything. Plus, their products are American made. This is an amazing break/jump pool cue that I made this my dedicated APA break cue and ordered another Stinger shaft for my Stinger jump handle for my other set of cues (for non-APA format). Lastly, people at Pooldawg.com are amazing, friendly people. They will take care of you if you have any issues or just not happy about a product you’ve bought.
Rated 5 out of 5

Taylor P. – November 3, 2020

McDermott NG01 Improved Break Consistency

The McDermott NG01 cue stick is better than I could have hoped for. My breaks are much more consistent resulting in better ball distribution and increased frequency of pocketing a ball in the break. Looks great as effectively.
Rated 4 out of 5

Amy W. – December 16, 2020

Functions good

Operates good
Rated 4 out of 5

Rick E. – January 25, 2021

I am very happy with

I am quite satisfied with the way it delivers power to the cue ball and the rack however it’s the first actual break cue i have used and the shaft seems a little thick to me but that doesn’t stop me from using it i really like the way it breaks and it is definitely a well made stick Thank you!
Rated 5 out of 5

Jim F. – March 21, 2021

Outstanding break pool cue

Amazing break cue
Rated 5 out of 5

Mike F. – May 10, 2021

Since I purchased my Stinger,

Since I purchased my Stinger, i’m breaking better and often making 1 or 2 balls both with 8ball and 9ball racks!
Rated 4 out of 5

Beth D. – May 22, 2021

Cue brakes well.

The cue stick breaks nicely , but the fit of one of the joints is not as decent as thought. Its not bad enough to return, just worse than expected from a name brand cue.
Rated 5 out of 5

Jen R. – July 3, 2021

Fantastic breaking pool cue

This break cue gets the job done. It’s stiff, seems wonderful, and hits hard. If only I could jump shot…
Rated 5 out of 5

Dan T. – December 9, 2021

This cue does just what

This cue does just what it is designed for but the tip is extremely hard Would buy again.
Rated 5 out of 5

Beth N. – December 26, 2021

Amazing stick for breaking, which

Great stick for breaking, which is what we bought it for. No complaints so far
Rated 5 out of 5

Tom N. – January 8, 2022

it’s wonderful I can put

it’s great I can put a fine amount of power behind it with out any deflection so with the worry of deflection gone I can make sure I hit it true and that way I have started putting balls in on the break much easier and more consistently .
Rated 5 out of 5

Taylor M. – August 24, 2022

Don’t know how they do

Don’t know how they do it but this thing hits like a sledgehammer. Very happy with the craftsmanship and performance.
Rated 5 out of 5

Morgan T. – March 1, 2023

Good cue for the money

good cue for the money
Rated 5 out of 5

Sue S. – March 18, 2023

McDermott stinger

Love the new break cue stick. making more balls on the break has been solid. Also giving more opportunities at break and runs.
Rated 5 out of 5

Casey E. – April 8, 2023

Nice break cue stick

the stick hits much better then my old
Rated 4 out of 5

Mary D. – April 19, 2023

Superb Cue So Far

I must admit, looks and feels fantastic. I have only played about ten games with it, but so far so satisfactory. Solid contact on breaks. McDermott’s warranty (including warpage) was a big factor in deciding to go with this cue. Only negative is that the butt arrived a bit scuffed.
Rated 5 out of 5

Rick J. – May 24, 2023

It’s a great cue stick and

It’s a great cue and I’ve had decent success with it so far. Content with my purchase.
Rated 4 out of 5

Drew B. – August 12, 2023

I like it but I

I must admit, i like it but I haven’t been able to exploit it’s and capitalize on it’s full potential yet. Other players appear to have better breaks than I so far when using the cue stick. However I do like the weight and distribution of the balls on my breaks, and I do like that the cue breaks down smaller for jump shots, and when needed for tight quarter shots advantage.
Rated 5 out of 5

Jordan R. – October 19, 2023

Bought your McDermott NG01 Stinger

From my perspective, bought your McDermott NG01 Stinger Break/Jump pool cue to use as such. I can not put the pool cue down as I have to use it to play the entire game with it. It is the top-notch stick I have ever used.
Rated 5 out of 5

Sarah J. – February 19, 2024

Doesn’t compromise quality despite multi-purpose design.

From my perspective, i primarily needed a break stick, and was drawn to this because of my expectation to someday need a jump cue as properly. The break cue stick is great. I can’t offer any comparison to dedicated break cues or other brands, but what I needed was a stick to help me find consistency in my break. Having a quality break cue has helped me systematically improve my breaks, where I previously saw varying results despite similar setups and strokes. Despite not intending to use the jump pool cue offering, I tried some out anyway. I can confirm that the claim of having a larger “sweet spot” must apparently be true. I’ve only ever seen videos of people doing jump shots, so I understand the *idea* of how to set one up. I had no issue at all getting proper contact and action on the stick ball. It is an incredibly user-friendly jump cue.
Rated 4 out of 5

Casey P. – May 14, 2024

Light Manufacture for a breaker

Default stick appears to be manufactured at 18oz, ordering at 21oz results in a 3 oz weight bolt. Which means the stick maxes out at 22 oz with the McDermitt offered weight bolt with 4 oz max if it’s the ‘new’ (thin) style, or 23.5 oz with the old (fat) style. Was hoping to get this close to 25oz, but seems like I will not be able to without an off brand weight. If the weight change is nothing but a bolt change (and not a base stick manufacture weight), when why not offer the full range of bolts instead of requiring a secondary purchase of a weight bolt to further increase cue stick heft?
Rated 5 out of 5

Jen G. – June 17, 2024

GREAT breaking stick

Without a doubt, fantastic cue stick for breaking. I never would’ve thought of buying a breaking cue until I tried this. It’s a must have for anyone. Even the casual player.
Rated 4 out of 5

Jordan T. – January 2, 2025

Doug’s Cue & Dart Owner

Superb break cue w/ crushing break. Use this cue personal break 15 years plus good cue value to jump w/ say average pretty lovely overall break controls cue stick ball well w/ 13. 25 tip
Rated 5 out of 5

Tom H. – February 11, 2025

Witched

I would shoot with anything else . But only this jump/ break cue. It is totally awesome when you get used to using and understanding how to break. Again Thank you PoolDawgs.