Choosing a Pool Cue Tip | Pool Cues and Billiards Supplies at PoolDawg.com (2024)
It is widely known that most of the performance of a pool cue lies in the shaft and the first six inches are especially important. At the very end of this most important area is the pool cue tip. This is where “the rubber hits the road” so to speak. The pool cue tip is where the energy from your pool cue is transferred to the cue ball (with a little help from chalk) to create the desired results of accuracy, speed and spin. Because of how much effect a tip can have on your game, it is important to choose the right one.
At PoolDawg.com, we offer one of the widest selections of pool cue tips with over 25 different brands featuring multiple styles and hardness options. Feeling overwhelmed? Fear not, we are here to help!
Tip Density and Hardness
The main characteristics to look at when choosing a pool cue tip is density and hardness. Tips vary in hardness from “super soft” to being as hard as the cue ball itself (phenolic). The hardness of the pool cue tip that you choose will depend on your style of play and whether it is for a playing cue or a breaking pool cue. To see the full list of tips and their specific density check out our pool cue tip density chart.
Soft tips will absorb more impact causing the tip to stay on the cue ball for a split second longer than harder tips. This will result in more cue ball spin, commonly referred to as “English”, when struck off the center of the cue ball. Softer tips tend to get misshaped faster and will require more maintenance to keep a nice rounded shape and to fix any mushrooming when the tip bulges out over the side of the ferrule. Because of the additional maintenance, softer tips end up needing to be replaced more frequently.
If you really like working the cue ball around the table and do not mind regularly shaping and trimming your tip, here are some popular soft tip choices:
Hard tips do not absorb or stay on the cue ball as much at impact as a softer tip would. Because of this, hard tips create less spin and are more liable to miscue when striking the cue ball farther off the center point. They will play more consistently, last longer and require less maintenance.
If you value the most consistency and do not want to mess around with making sure your tip is always well maintained, here are some great harder tips to try:
Medium tips are usually the way to go for most pool players because they offer a combination of cue ball control and consistency. Most medium tips will get you plenty of spin but do not get as misshaped or wear out as fast as the softer tips. The vast majority of pool cue manufacturers will install some form of a medium hardness tip on the cue as the standard tip. For example, Predator, Lucasi Custom, McDermott, 5280, Poison and Viking all come standard with medium layered leather tips that are essentially a Tiger Everest.
If you want an all around tip that keeps its shape and plays consistently with less maintenance try some of these medium tips
Tiger Sniper
Fuji Black (Medium)
Tiger Emerald
Navigator Alpha (Medium)
Tiger Everest
Zan Plus (Medium)
Phenolic Tips (or Carbon Fiber) are now standard issue on most breaking cues and they are REALLY hard tips. Break shots are usually struck close to the center of the cue ball so Phenolic tips, which are just as hard as the balls themselves, can still put a smooth, solid hit on the cue ball without miss-cueing. Phenolic tips are very popular because they transfer the most power and require almost no maintenance.
NOTE: Some Pool Halls, Leagues or Tournaments do not allow Non-Leather (phenolic) tips so make sure to check if you think it could be an issue.
Here are some of the best tips for breaking cues:
Tiger Icebreaker
Elite Phenolic
Tiger Break Jump
Samsara Break Jump
White Diamond
G10 Break Jump
...and remember, folks, if you have any questions about these tips or anything we carry, please give us a call at 1-866-843-3294!
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In general, a smaller diameter cue tip provides players with a tighter hitting surface and allows for more spin on the ball. However, smaller pool cue tip sizes are also far more unforgiving of mish*ts, so if you're not too confident in your game, we suggest you stick with something a little wider.
Elk master 13mm pool billiard cue tips are popular among professionals because they enable them to achieve more spin on the cue ball thanks to their excellent grip on the chalk. Mistakes are therefore uncommon while employing these techniques.
A medium tip hardness is designed to be the best of both worlds with plenty of grip and minimal maintenance. Some pool cue brands come with a tip constructed from a single thick layer of pressed leather that is formed to shape.
Nonetheless, the majority of pool players tend to choose medium hardness tips as they combine the added control found in a softer tip with the increased consistency of a harder tip.
Most players find that a cue weight between 18-21 ounces is the sweet spot. This weight allows for enough control over the cue ball, while also providing a comfortable feel for the player. However, it's important to note that everyone's preferences are different, and the ideal weight for you may vary.
Predator pool sticks are designed to deliver the best performance and precision for your billiard game and are the best pool sticks available for sale.
These tips are made for chinese 8 ball. simple to fit, easy to shape and they hold chalk like a traditional pressed tip. They will last for ages and grip the cue ball better.
A good pool cue for beginners will cost between $100 and $150. More advanced players, on the other hand, will have to spend more money to buy a nice cue that is appropriate for their ability level. A skilled player might expect to spend between $300 and $500.
Tips shaped to a dime have a smaller contact point with the cueball, so in theory they can create more spin, but the smaller “sweet spot” can be slightly less forgiving. I prefer a nickel shape, personally, because I find that a nickel is more forgiving and versatile.
Whether you're a casual pool player or a serious competitor, owning a high-quality pool cue can make a big difference to your game. Not only can it help you make more accurate shots, but it can also improve your consistency and give you a more enjoyable playing experience.
The rule of thumb is that a harder tip transmits more force into the cue ball. This makes a harder tip better for breaking, jumping, or for those long power shots. The drawback is that a harder tip gives you less control over spin, and it can provoke more miscues.
Generally speaking most pool players prefer and 8mm to 8.5mm tip for a 1 & 7/8 pool cue ball, and most snooker players prefer a 9.5mm to 10mm tip for a full size 2 1/16 snooker cue ball. American pool uses an even bigger cue ball so the tip sizes are normally between 12.5 mm and 13.5mm.
It directly affects the amount of spin, control, and accuracy a player can achieve during shots. A larger tip provides a broader contact area, which allows for more control and stability, while a smaller tip offers increased precision and spin.
It's one of the ESSENTIAL parts of any snooker maintenance, as you will be able to play better spin shots with a better reaction on the cue ball if your tip is shaped like a dome, and not too FLAT.
A good leather cue tip should be somewhat rough. The roughness allows the tip to hold chalk, which in turn is what causes friction with the cue ball. In essence, the tip grabs the cue ball for an instant, allowing the desired spin to be transferred to the cue ball.
Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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