What Cue Does Luca Brecel Use?
Short answer: Luca Brecel won the 2023 World Championship with a cue he called his favourite ever, and lost it in airline baggage handling a few months later. Since then he has been linked with Ton Praram III cues from Bangkok, whose maker has posted about sending him cues. His exact specifications have not been published.
| Spec | What we know |
|---|---|
| Maker | World-title cue: not named publicly. Since 2023: linked with Ton Praram III |
| Length | Not publicly documented |
| Weight | Not publicly documented |
| Tip | Not publicly documented |
| Joint | Not publicly documented |
| Source confidence | High on the lost cue; medium on Ton Praram; specs unknown |
The cue that went missing
After winning the world title in May 2023, Brecel set off on a round-the-world celebration. On a flight from Seattle to Frankfurt his cue disappeared in baggage handling. Speaking to TNT Sports in August 2023, he called it his favourite cue ever and the one he had won the World Championship with. He had owned it for about two years.
He did not hold back about the experience. It is a nightmare to travel with, he said, adding that sometimes he wished he was a darts player with a small case. He was left using a back-up cue he was less used to, and admitted that with the old one he sometimes felt he could not miss.
Ton Praram III
Ton Praram III, a handmade cue maker in Bangkok, has posted about Brecel using one of its Limited Pro cues and about sending him new cues. Thai makers have become increasingly popular on tour; John Higgins has also tried a Ton Praram cue. We could not confirm which cue Brecel uses in every event, so treat this as a strong association rather than a sponsorship.
How the cue suits his game
Brecel is one of the most exciting players in the world: incredibly fast, fearless and happy to take on long pots others would not attempt. Steve Davis has pointed to the power of his cue action and his long bridge. A player like that relies on complete trust in his cue, which is why losing the world-title cue hit him so hard.
Why a lost cue is so disruptive
A professional’s cue is not just a tool. Years of practice have tuned the player’s eye and action to its exact balance and response. Brecel’s comment that he sometimes felt he could not miss with his old cue explains why losing it was such a blow. With a new cue, pace control, the amount of screw and the effect of side all need relearning, and that can take months.
That is why many players keep a back-up cue that is as close as possible to their main cue, and why cue makers are often asked to replicate a lost or broken cue from measurements.
Thai cue makers on tour
Ton Praram is one of several Thai makers now popular with professionals. Their cues are handmade and often feature distinctive butt designs. Brecel’s association with the brand, alongside John Higgins trying one, shows how far their reputation has spread beyond Asia.
Travelling with a cue
Brecel’s advice by example is simple: a cue case is not just about protection from knocks. Keep your cue with you as hand luggage where airlines allow it, use a hard case with good padding, and consider a tracker. It is much easier than replacing a cue you love.
Playing fast needs a cue you trust
Brecel’s speed around the table is part of his appeal. Fast players do not spend long settling over each shot, so they rely on a cue whose response they know instinctively. That is another reason the loss of his world-title cue mattered so much: a fast, instinctive player has less time to consciously adjust to an unfamiliar cue. For club players who like to play quickly, the same principle applies. Pick a cue with a balance and weight that feel natural from the first shot, and stick with it long enough for your instincts to adapt.
Want a cue like Luca Brecel’s?
- Protect your cue on the move. Brecel’s loss is every player’s nightmare. A good hard case and sensible travel habits help; see choosing a snooker cue case.
- Consider a jointed cue for travel. A ¾-jointed cue fits a smaller case and is easier to carry. Read our explainer on cue joints.
- Have a back-up you like. Many players keep a second, similar cue. You can compare snooker cues at every budget on Best Snooker Cue.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Luca Brecel’s world title cue?
Luca Brecel’s World Championship-winning cue went missing in airline baggage handling on a flight from Seattle to Frankfurt in summer 2023. He told TNT Sports it was his favourite cue ever and that he was left using a back-up he was less comfortable with.
What cue does Luca Brecel use now?
Brecel has been linked with Ton Praram III, a handmade cue maker in Bangkok that has posted about supplying him with cues. We could not confirm exactly which cue he uses at every event, and he has not published its specifications.
Who made Luca Brecel’s original world title cue?
The maker of the cue Brecel won the 2023 World Championship with was not named in the reports about its loss. He said he had owned it for about two years and described it as his favourite ever, the cue with which he sometimes felt he could not miss.
