A cue stick (or simply cue, more specifically pool cue, snooker cue, or billiards cue), is an item of sporting equipment essential to the games of pool, snooker and carom billiards. It is used to strike a ball, usually the cue ball. Cues are tapered sticks, typically about 57 inches (1.5 m) long and usually between 16–20 ounces (450–600 g) (cues for carom are shorter).