There are many, many ways to blow five or 10 grand, but few are quite as satisfying as a decadently handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pool cue, like these softly speaking big sticks from Custom Collectible Cues, Ltd. in Elgin, Illinois (847-614-0061). If you can come up with the scratch, bust your last ugly stick over your knee and make the move to eightball's seventh heaven ... You'll never roll a cue across a table to check for warpage again.

Purpleheart wood base inlaid with ebony, ivory, and silver. Artist: Bill Stroud for Josswest ($5,995)

Ebony base with ivory and snakewood inlays. Artist: Bill Stroud for Josswest ($3,000)

Ebony base with gold and ivory inlays and Buckeye burlwood faux cigars commemorating 1992's 25th anniversary of Cohiba. Artist: Bill Stroud for Josswest ($25,000)

Ebony base, lizard-wrapped handle, and inlays of ivory and gold. Artist: Bill Schick ($12,500)