Best Pool Cue Chalk (Reviews)

While the difference in performance may not be much between brands, but there is a substantial difference in how often you need to chalk your cue between shots. With premium chalks, you may need to chalk just once in the whole frame while cheaper ones may require you to chalk every time you take a shot. The other issue with cheaper chalks is that it's messier to apply and creates more dust.

In this buyer's guide, we've analysed of the top pool cue chalks and benchmarked each of them based on performance, ease of application, longevity and pricing.

Our Top Picks for Best Pool Chalks

Now that you’ve had a chance to familiarize yourself with some of the most popular and well-known chalks, you may have further questions. Obviously, you want to get the most for your money, and that’s why we’ve included this handy buyer’s guide!

Below, there are a few things to consider that will help guide you to the best pool chalk for you.

What is the function of a Pool cue Chalk

This might seem like an obvious question but a very important one actually. Simply put, using the chalk increases the friction between the cue tip and the cue ball, reducing the chances of miscues and increasing your capability to put more spin or English on the ball.

For dead-center shots, there is no visible benefit of using a chalk. It's the non-center hits where the cue chalks are helpful. Without a properly chalked tip, your chances of miscues will be quite higher.

Let's proceed to the factors you should consider while buying a cue chalk:

Price

As with our other guides, let's start with the price – this should always be one of the most important factors to think about. Chalks come at all price points from 10 cents/piece to high as $30/piece. The price you should pay depends on what are your expectations and your current skill level. 

Are you looking to spend a lot of money for the highest quality chalk available? Or are you looking for something functional which gets the job done? Are you looking for reliability and a longer life? Or are you happy with a short-lived, cheap and cheerful entry?

Cheap or Expensive? What's the Difference?

Aside from the price, there is a huge quality difference between the cheaper and more expensive chalk. More experienced players generally tend to opt for mid-grade to top-end chalks for this reason.

The main differences between these chalks are:

• Length of application – cheaper chalk may need to be applied after every shot, and in heavy amounts. Expensive chalks stick the cue tip for longer duration and may need to be applied after 4 to 5 shots or more.
• Messiness – Expensive chalks are much tidier than the cheaper variants, and will produce much less dust. The dust may stain your table, which may lead to unwanted clean-up.
• Cakiness: Expensive chalks are less likely to cake, unlike the cheaper chalks which will occasionally cake and become unusable.

It's also important to keep in mind that the expensive pool chalks are often much finer, and as a result, stick to your cue tip better than the coarser chalk.

Fine or coarse chalk really is a matter of preference, so it's recommended that you try both until you form your own preference!

Skill Level & Usage

How do you intend to use your chalk? Is it for private practice? A tournament or competition? Maybe you're just looking to restock your pool hall.

Depending on the usage and your skill level, you should choose a cue chalk. For example, if you're bulk buying for a casual pool hall, it will be a bad idea to buy the Kamui chalk – the players may not benefit from it as a professional would, and it could get wasted. A budget-friendly, more disposable option such as the Silver Cup chalk might be more appropriate.

If you are looking to prepare for a tournament, or are an experienced player looking to enhance your game, the Kamui may be more fitting – it is certainly expensive, but it has the potential to drastically improve your gameplay.

For players, till intermediate level, it's best to stick with something like Magic chalk, and there is not much sense to go for costlier options.

Everything Else

Just as a side note, it is essential to store your cue chalk properly, regardless of which option you go for. If you don’t, you may lose the chalk, or it could become damaged – either physically, or by changes in humidity.

The Predator cue chalk comes with a storage piece, though these are usually inexpensive and can be bought online. Keep it with your other accessories, such as your cue tips – that way, you’ll never lose it!

Don’t worry if you do notice any chalk marks on the pool table or your stick. The table can be cleaned with a billiard brush relatively easy, while for the marks on the shaft and ball simply wipe them with a damp cloth regularly.

How to Properly Chalk

You may have a really expensive chalk, but as long you don't chalk properly, it won't be of much use. Using proper technique not only lengthens the lifespan of the chalk but also keeps help you reduce miscues and keep the cue tip in shape.

Technique: Keep your pool cue at an angle, and slowly rotate the stick while gently brushing the chalk to give even coverage. Make sure you don't put extra pressure. It should as if a woman puts on lipstick.

1. Do not drill a hole - that's not right: This is what I see most beginners doing - drilling a hole in the chalk. This not only reduces the lifespan of the chalk but also just coats the center of the tip, leaving the rest tip exposed. 
2. Do not over chalk: Over chalking is also quite common. While this is not bad as per se but it leaves more dust on the table.
3. Do not chalk over the table: Again, when you chalk over the table, the dust falls on the table cloth, making it dirty and leaving a mess. 
4. Do not blow on the tip to remove the residue: When you blow, the moisture from your breath can collect on the tip, and when you re-chalk, the moisture is transferred to the cube. This can cause the chalk to crumble or flake.
5. Always remember to keep the chalk facing up to prevent the chalk dust to fall off on the table.