They are each made by hand and are very expensive. Players say they compete with much more confidence when then find a cestato their liking. Cestas are constructed according to a player's specifications, although no two cestas are exactly alike. The life of a typical cesta is about three weeks. Each player receives a cesta stipend to help cover some of the seasonal cost.
Granite is able to withstand the tremendous and repetitive pounding of the pelota.
Other than the front wall, a jai-alai court is virtually all concrete. The wooden area that runs along the side of the cancha is 15 feet wide. The numbers painted on the side of the court are used as reference points by the players. Doubles partners communicate with each other by referring to positions on the court by their corresponding numbers. Jai-alai players marching out to music is a tradition that began in the United States.