A cue stick (or simply cue, or more specifically pool cue, snooker cue, or billiars 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 1.5 m (58 in) and 510–600 g (18–21 oz). Most cues are made of wood, but occasionally the wood is covered or bonded with other materials including carbon fiber, fiberglass and/or aluminum.