The forearm of the cue is the part between the wrap and the joint usually about 12 inches. This is also the part of the cue where the inlayed or decaled points will be. If the cue is under $100 you are probally looking at decal, above $150 and up and it is most likely inlay. Inlay is what raises the prices of cues. The more inlay a cue has the more money the cue is going to cost however, more inlay does not mean the cue is going to play any better then a cue with no inlay because it is just a visual.