When not in use daily, place Chinese No. 8 billiard cue Store the cue in a cue case—preferably a hard-shell case—rather than leaning it against a corner or placing it in an excessively hot environment, such as next to a refrigerator or in direct sunlight. Never leave a pool cue in a car for extended periods, nor store it in a dark, damp location. High temperature and high humidity can alter the cue’s flex.

　　If you notice that your cue feels sticky after use, wipe it from top to bottom with a damp cloth and a soft leather pad. Avoid sanding the cue with sandpaper, as this can gradually damage the tip.

　　When using a billiard cue on a regular basis, it is important to periodically rub the cue with raw linseed oil—typically every 3 to 6 months. Begin by wiping the cue from top to bottom with a damp cloth and a soft leather pad. If the cue is particularly dirty, you may add a small amount of mild detergent, but avoid using excessive water, as this can lead to wear and tear. Alternatively, use paper towels to blot away any excess oil from the cue. If the cue has not been oiled for an extended period, you can also soak it in oil for several hours. Afterward, wipe it dry with a clean cloth until it is smooth, completely dry, and free of any residue. Finally, finish by drying the cue thoroughly with a damp cloth and a piece of chamois leather.

　　If your mid-8 pool cue comes with a cue case, you should regularly clean the case’s surface with steel wool, as dirt and grease left on the case can interfere with the cue’s contact with the balls during shots.

　　1. Place it correctly; hang it up to prevent deformation.

　　2. Use it correctly; do not strike it with brute force.

　　3. Even with a great rod, there will always be ordinary ones—it all depends on the user.

　　4. Proper maintenance: After closing the switch each day, inspect the pole components and check the straightness of the pole head, among other things. Purchase matching accessories.

　　It’s best to hang an eight-ball cue vertically. Cue cabinets designed specifically for billiard rooms are typically quite “slender” and, when placed in the room, should be positioned nearly upright. For players with modest requirements or whose cues aren’t particularly expensive, a standard cue cabinet will generally suffice. (To add: lower-quality cabinets can easily warp, so as long as they remain undistorted, they don’t demand such meticulous care. High-quality eight-ball cues, by contrast, are much less prone to deformation.) For amateur players, even if you’re somewhat casual about day-to-day maintenance and avoid applying excessive force, minor deviations won’t significantly affect your game. Therefore, for an eight-ball cue, as long as no external force is applied, simply keeping it in a relatively vertical position is perfectly adequate.

　　If the climate is relatively humid, wipe the club frequently with a dry, pure-cotton towel. Newly purchased clubs usually have a layer of paint on them, which should be sanded off using fine-grit sandpaper. As for other sanding methods, types, grit levels, and grades, these can be fully adjusted according to personal habits and preferences. Avoid using coarse sandpaper, as it can severely damage the club; instead, start with a finer grit and then make fine adjustments with very fine “metallographic sandpaper.”