The tip of a cue is the part that takes the most physical abuse in the game of snooker. So it’s understandable that much like the cue itself, there are a few different variations of cue tips that can be used in order to have your desired outcome. This post will look at elements such as tip size and density (soft vs. hard).
Firstly, tip sizes in snooker generally fall between 9.5-10mm in diameter. This is reasonable for snooker but some players like Shaun Murphy do tend to opt for a smaller tip size like 8.75mm. Similar to snooker cues, tip variations and success is subject to personal preference. A larger tip will help with striking the centre of the cue ball easier however, you will have to compensate when playing with side as the cue ball will be deflected more than with a smaller tip.
The general consensus with a smaller tip is that it aids in playing shots with more spin. Despite this, the difficulty arises in having to be more accurate when playing shots due to the risk of placing unintentional side. Selby answered a fan question years ago stating the shot has to be spot-on when playing with a thin tip. Although, as always, success with side/screw shots will come down to practice and an effective cue action.
The next factor concerns the softness/hardness of the cue tip. Some players prefer the sound and feel of a softer tip. Although in practice we are talking about milliseconds, a softer tip ‘grips’ the cue ball a little longer which can create more spin. However, a softer tip will need to be replaced more often and will lose its shape more quickly (sometimes known as mushrooming). Also, a softer tip can leave more chalk marks which can lead to more kicks so that’s something to keep in mind. I’m personally not a fan of the loud clack sound that’s emitted from a hard tip so would opt for a soft-medium tip.
Some may prefer the louder, crisper sound that comes with a hard tip. A harder tip can transfer a little more speed to the cue ball which can help in long power pots. Furthermore, they hold their shape/maintain its durability for a longer period of time thus, offering a little more consistency. There is a slight chance to miscue more but if you know what you’re doing, this shouldn’t happen often. Additionally, harder tips will need to be sanded and filed to spec so that they can hold chalk better.
It’s difficult to know for certain the kind of density individual players’ use in their tips unless you have ask them directly or have a keen sense of hearing. This is why it is important for them to carry spare tips with them when they compete because chances are they won’t have the exact same replacement tips in the back on the occasions that a tip falls off. Fu, O’Sullivan and Robertson have all fallen victim to this.
Jimmy White once described it best where a tip can’t just be replaced then the player will carry on as before. Players hold the butt of the cue at the flat end so if the existing tip is repaired as opposed to replaced, but in the wrong orientation, this could have a negative impact. This is in particular for pros who play a lot of screw shots, and if the tips are soft, can cause a slight dent in the surface of the tip, which is why it’s paramount to orient the tip correctly.
A future Short will likely go into the different brands of cue tips like Elkmaster and Kamui. What are your thoughts on these brands and what density suits you best when playing snooker?