Looking for

the perfect gift for the pool player in your life? The options are as

rich and varied as the history of the sport. Whether you're buying for

a pro or a rank novice, there is something to fit the recipient's taste

and your pocketbook.

The pool cue

(or cue stick) is a vital piece of game equipment that must be kept in

tip-top shape. Gifts that help maintain this all-important piece of equipment

can be quite affordable, often less than $30. Maintenance kits that help

to clean, condition and repair the cue are greatly appreciated. So are

items such as tip picks, gloves, chalk and talc great additions to a gift

basket or affordable gifts on their own.

Pool cues run

the gamut from utilitarian to extravagant. Basic one-piece cues start

at $25, a two-piece cue stick ranges from $65 to $300 and a top of the

line custom cue can cost anywhere from $350 to $10,000. The "top

shelf" specialty cues, made of exotic woods and embellished with

inlays of wood, gems and stones, express the personality of the true pool

aficionado.

Cue cases to

transport and protect the stick start at about $35 and go up from there.

Colorful and unique billiard balls are another way to show your stripes,

or solids for that matter. A set of pool balls decorated with NFL teams,

glow in the dark colors, or patriotic stars and stripes add a dash of

design and color to a pool table for about $200 a set. Ball polishers

keep balls smooth and balanced and triangle racks perfectly align the

balls for clean and powerful break shots. Prices for polishers and racks

vary greatly, but your billiard retailer will help you find what's right

for you.

Gifts to improve

the game can also fill the bill for the person on your list. A set of

practice balls, for about $30 or more, provide vivid visual feed