How do you identify play cues?

I have to be honest and not quite sure what your question is here :) but here are some basics.

Cues are either 1 or 2 pieces. A one piece cue is mainly used as a "house cue", the kind you see on the walls of bars that look like if you add a paddle at the end you could jump into a canoe. However most pool and billiards enthusiasts, both casual and higher level players use 2-piece cues as they are easier to transport and from a design and function they are better and there are more choices.

Standard cue lengths are 58-60" with most people playing with 59". There are 5 main components to a cue: the butt, the joint, the shaft, the ferrule and the tip. There are what are called production cues which you will find on-line or in pool and billiard supply retail stores quite easily. Two piece production cues can range in price from under $20 all the way up to roughly $1000 or so. There are also "custom cues" made from individual cue makers. Custom Cues are a mix of art and function. To learn more about the work of custom cue makers I suggest you look at "The Blue Book of Cues". It is in it's 3rd edition and can be found easily for under $30. For those not familiar with this aspect of the sport it is a real eye opener. Custom cues can range in price from $200 to tens of thousands with the average being over $1000.

Hope that helps :)