The tip is the most essential part of your Pool cue since it is the only object that makes touch with the cue ball when you make a shot. It doesn't matter how beautiful your pool stick is if you can't consistently make accurate contact with the cue ball. The type, density, and size of your tip can essentially make or break your success. As a result, the Pros will always choose the cue tip carefully to prepare for their game. You may wonder: what cue tip do the Pros use? We will show you the top 5 best professional cue tips that are popular among the Pros.
What makes a professional cue tip?
There are many factors that you need to consider to evaluate a pro-level cue tip such as the hardness of the tip, its type, its consistency, and durability.
Hardness
There is a wide variety of cue tip hardness, with soft, medium, and hard being the most frequent.
Soft tips
It absorbs more energy at impact, forcing the tip to stay on the ball for an extra fraction of a second. As a result, the cue ball will have more spin or "English." A soft tip is a way to go if you're the type of pool player who likes to move the cue ball about the table.
Medium-hard tips
This is the most common cue tip, and it gives players a good balance of cue ball control and consistency. Medium-hard tips also require less maintenance than soft tips. Most beginning and intermediate players will benefit from the medium-hard tip.
Hard tips
Because it absorbs less energy at impact, the cue ball spins less. Although hard tips last longer, require less maintenance, and provide some consistency to players, they are more likely to cause miscues since they absorb less energy at impact.
Phenolic tips
They're made of carbon fiber and are as durable as a pool cue. This type of tip is frequently used for breaking. Phenolic tips transmit the most energy when touched and require the least amount of maintenance.
Durability
The majority of pro players don't care if their cue tips are replaced. They may get them replaced after each game or for an extended period. The choice is entirely up to the player.
Because of their density, hard tips last longer. Soft tips, especially when utilized for break shots, can quickly mushroom. Some players, on the other hand, enjoy the feeling of their soft cue tips mushrooming and compressing.
Cue tip size
When selecting a pool cue tip, this is also an important thing to consider. The most frequent sizes of cue tips are 12mm, 13mm, and 14mm. The diameter of the cue tip has a big influence on your playing. While smaller diameter pool cue tips help skilled players put a side-spin on the cue ball known as English, larger diameter tips help beginner players pocket the balls more easily.
Cue tips with a large diameter (about 13 mm) are frequently recommended for newer players. The cue tip's increased surface area may help you land even the most challenging strokes. You can use smaller cue tips and practice on your side spin as your pool skills improve.
Consistency
One of the most important abilities in a cue tip is consistency. Pro players experiment with different tips until they find one that works consistently. Consistency, on the other hand, is more about a player's game skills than it is about the tip they are using.
Top 5 best professional cue tips
Understanding all the factors that make professional cue tips will help you find out which cue tip option should be in your mind. However, there are so many options available in the market that can make you feel confused. So what cue tip do the Pros use most recently? We will list here the top 5 best cue tips chosen by Pros for your reference.
Kamui clear black tips
Kamui clear black tip is an excellent choice if you don't mind paying a little more for a pro-level cue tip. It's constructed from Japanese pigskin, which creates the most uniform layers of leather. These models are popular among professionals because the tips are designed to decrease deflection and provide good positioning shots. The leather is protected from coming into touch with the adhesive by a shield at the base of the tip. The Kamui clear black tip is 14mm in diameter and has a gentle density.
Pros
- High-quality leather
- Provide consistency
- Durable
- Retain shape for a long time
- Hold chalks brilliantly
Cons
Predator victory tips
Predator victory tips are provided by the predator corporation, which has been in business for over 25 years. They produce tips in a variety of hardnesses, from mild to hard. This pro-level cue tip is popular among professionals because of its bright color, which allows it to be used even in low-light situations. Furthermore, the tip is long-lasting and requires little upkeep. As a result, if you're on a budget, it's a great option.
Pros
- Give a fantastic performance
- High quality
- Easy to install
- Bright color is good in low light conditions
Cons
- Just provide one suggestion
- Difficult to play
Elk Master cue tips
Elk Master cue tips are made by a company that has been in business for over 85 years. 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. Because the cue tips are comprised of a single strip of leather, they must be groomed on a regular basis. Other maintenance procedures, such as shaping the tip after numerous games, are also required
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Five options to choose
- Incredible control
- Allow players to obtain additional spin
Cons
- Require regular maintenance
HONBAY billiard cue tips
HONBAY pool cue tips are among the hardest available on the market. As a result, you don't have to be concerned about mushrooming when using these cue tips. The cue tips are constructed of aged leather, which adds to their durability. The tips also provide superb control of the cue ball.
Pros
- The cue tip is tough.
- Provide nice spin
- Affordable
Cons
- When compared to more expensive tips, it's not as much fun to play with.
Collapsar pool cue tips
Collapsar pool cue tips are regarded as providing the most value. Six tips are included in this package. It comes in three different hardness levels: hard, medium, and soft. The tip is popular among players because it gives the cue ball more spin. Furthermore, it holds chalk well and retains its shape even without routine maintenance. Collapsar is reasonably priced, making it one of the finest pro-level cue tip options for those on a tight budget.
Pros
- It's of good quality and doesn't fall apart.
- It is quite valuable.
- Controls the cue ball quite well.
Cons
- Its soft tips may be softer than expected
FAQs
How much is a pool cue tip?
That depends on your budget. A pool cue tip can be from a few dollars to a hundred dollars. There are many cue tips with affordable prices and good quality in the market. The most important thing is choosing the one that fits your needs and is within your budget.
How to replace a pool cue tip?
Pool cue tip replacement is simpler than you might think. If you are a beginner and don’t know how to do it, check here to find out 6 simple steps to replace a pool cue tip. However, you'll need to practice putting one on at first, but after a few tries, you'll be a pro at it.
What are pool cue tips made of?
Cue tips are created in a variety of ways by various brands. Many popular tips are manufactured from compressed chalk, which is why they are blue. Some new tips on the market, however, are made of laminated pigskin, which has a distinct orange color. Besides, some other tips are made by using leather. After trying out a range of tips, you'll have a sense of what kind of tip you prefer.
Conclusion
In general, there are a variety of Pool cue tips available on the market that are appropriate for each player's skill level. If you aspire to be a pool pro shortly, it is essential to know the answer to the question: what cue tip do the pros use?. Begin by selecting one of the suggested cue tips and practicing to reach your goal.
FAQs
Medium-hard tips
This is the most common cue tip, and it gives players a good balance of cue ball control and consistency. Medium-hard tips also require less maintenance than soft tips.
What snooker cue tips do professionals use? ›
Approximately 70/80% of players currently on the professional WPBSA snooker tour now use Century Pro Cue Tips!
What cue tip does Efren use? ›
Taper: Efren Taper. Tip: Kamui Original S.
...
SKU.
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.
What cue tip does Shaun Murphy use? ›
Century Pro Custom G5 Cue Tip
There are now more than ten professionals using the G5 including Shaun Murphy and Stephen Maguire. We have now decided to make this tip available for everyone to use, though they will be in very limited quantities made per year.
What tip does Joshua Filler use? ›
Joshua and Pia Filler
Playing cue: JF: 17-ounce, 58-inch Predator Panthera 5-2 with a lizard skin wrap. The cue has a low rise, professional taper Predator Z-3 shaft equipped with an 11.75 mm HOW tip.
Is a bigger cue tip better? ›
It should always be the same diameter as your shaft – no smaller. A smaller tip will give you more control over spin, but may also cause more miscues. A larger tip will give you less spin control, but a more powerful, consistent shot. With American cues, the standard size is usually around 12 or 13mm.
What cue tip does John Higgins use? ›
John Higgins uses 9.75mm. I use between 9.8mm and 10mm, depending on how my cue plays with the tip. The cue I have now is perfect for a 9.8mm tip so that's what I'm using.
What is Elk Master tip? ›
The Elkmaster tips are made in the USA by the Tweeten Fibre Company, the same company that makes Triangle and Masters Chalk. The tips are impregnated with chalk for less miscues. These tips are available to buy as a pack of fifty in their original box (as per image).
What kind of cue tip does Shane Van Boening use? ›
Additional Information
| Tip: | Tiger Sniper (Soft) |
|---|
| Diameter: | 12.5mm |
| Ferrule: | Poly-carbonate |
| Joint: | 3/8 X 14 |
| Shaft: | Cuetec Cynergy |
1 more row18 Apr 2022
Tip: 12.5mm Ultra Skin Medium tip. Shaft: The Pro Shaft - Hard rock maple shaft (29" long). 14" pro taper. Shaft collar is black with silver train track rings.
What is the hardest pool cue tip? ›
Here is a summary of some durometer hardness test results from FLYINGSNAIL on AZB:
- SAMSARA JUMP – 86.0.
- BLACK DIAMOND – 81.0.
- SUPERPRO – 81.0.
- WB USA – 77.0.
- BLUE ELF – 76.0.
- LePRO – 74.5.
- TALISMAN – (M) 70.5.
- TAD – (M) 75.0.
Therefore, a rounded tip is better than a flat tip. You shape the tip with a tip scuffer, a file, a piece of sandpaper, and other similar abrasive tools. Most players like their tips rounded with the radius of either a nickel or a dime; a coin can be held next to the tip for reference.
What is the best cue tip for English? ›
If you are looking for the best pool cue tip for english or draw, the Predator Victory billiard tip is the right cue tip for your pool stick. It has been developed and tested with our team of professional players. Available in Soft, Medium, or Hard.
What size cue do pros use? ›
Select the Right Cue Stick Weight
While professional billiards players tend to use pool sticks that weigh about 19 ounces, it is a better idea for beginners to use pool sticks that are a bit lighter (around 15 ounces) while they are still learning how to pocket those tough shots with ease.
What tip does McDermott use? ›
Premium Tips & Chalk. McDermott Cue is the exclusive distributor of Navigator premium tips and chalk for Canada, Mexico and the USA.
What tip does Mark Selby use? ›
What cue does Mark Selby use? Mark Selby uses a snooker cue with a 9.5mm tip.
What cue does David Alcaide use? ›
LONGONI CUE MINERVA "LINEN"
What tip does Chris Melling use? ›
England's Chris Melling is using a Predator Blak 4-4 with a custom 12.4 Revo shaft to play. His unrivaled talent paired with one of our most popular lines of cues gives results! Out Blak4 line features sleek ebony accented with brilliant silver, elegant Micarta, and warm Curly Maple inlays.
What cues do professional pool players use? ›
The only universal similarity you are going to find with the cues pro players use is that they are almost always two-pieces, a butt and a shaft. Next most common factor is probably an Irish-linen or leather wrap on the butt if the cue. Generally speaking, most run-out pool players use cues that weigh under 21 ounces.
KwikFire Cues are WPBA professional Kelly Fisher's Signature line of cues, proudly hand crafted in the USA by Carolina Custom Cues. This KwikFire Cue comes with a numbered letter of Authenticity hand signed by Kelly Fisher.
Is a heavier break cue better? ›
the bottom line is that a heavier cue will not always mean a more powerful hit or break. In some cases, it may even create less power depending on how much force you can create. So, when selecting a cue, go for the weight that feels the most comfortable to you.
Are screw on cue tips any good? ›
The answer to the question Are screw-on cue tips good for playing pool? is no. They do not play as well as a fixed pool cue tip.
What cue does Jeffrey de Luna use? ›
Jeffrey de Luna
| Playing Cue | EXC-S0601CWE |
|---|
| Playing Shaft | IGNITE 12.2 |
| Break Cue | PBGG-H |
| Jump Cue | AD2-K |
| Cue Case | MZ-35K |
The softness of these tips, which are the most widely sold by Elk Master, can be hard to assess from the product pages here on Amazon. They are not super soft, but more of what I would consider soft or medium-soft.
Are Elk Master Pro Tips good? ›
Elk Pro Snooker Tips: Pros and Cons
The advantage with these is you are getting a high-quality ElkMaster in exactly the grade you want. The medium tip was easy to put on and it was a delight to play with. It was simple to knock in and we found we were getting a lot of spin on from little effort.
What weight break cue do pros use? ›
The average and most common weight is around 19 oz. Breaking cues, on the other hand, usually start at 21 oz. and can weigh over 27 oz. Most players assume that a heavier cue means a more powerful break.
What PIN does cuetec use? ›
Joint Pin: 3/8 x 14 Cuetec.
What cue does Florian Kohler use? ›
The ultimate masse cue was created by Mezz engineers and Mezz Pro Florian Kohlar. With its one-of-a-kind design, the Mezz butt and the Hybrid Kevlar design give the masse shaft optimal flexibility providing maximum spin with supreme cue ball control.
What is the heaviest break cue? ›
They want more power and more action. If you can handle it, the answer for you may just be the Elite “Heavy” Break Cue. This breaker generates power through its massive weight. Rather than weighing just 20oz or 21oz, the Heavy weighs in at approximately 27oz, making it one of the heaviest breakers on the market.
Mosconi used several Balabushkas during a career capped by 15 straight world championships from 1941 to 1957 and his record 526 straight shots at a two-day exhibition in Ohio in 1954.
Which legendary cue is best? ›
The Supreme Cue is the best cue in the game, with every pool skill only one or two bars away from max.
Is a lighter or heavier cue better? ›
For a given cue speed, if the cue has more mass, the CB will go faster; and for a given cue mass, if the cue has more speed, the CB will go faster. Both factors (cue speed and cue mass) are important. Some people can generate more breaking power with a lighter cue, and some can generate more with a heavier cue.
What is the best size cue stick? ›
If you are mostly playing an eight-ball pool game, the stick you would generally use is about 1.39 to 1.44 metres or 55-57 inches. Some manufacturers provide up to 58 inches. Professional players opt for between 56 and 57-inch cues because they believe these are the perfect sizes for the cue ball.
Are Blue Diamond cue tips good? ›
Due to their special design, they are consistently reliable with each tip so you don't need to search for a good one. If you haven't used one before and need a comparison, Blue Diamond tips are a little harder than an Elkmaster. These tips are very easy to change and take glue easily.
How long do Kamui Tips last? ›
Although you do have to reshape the tip just a little once every week or two. I have had this tip a little over a month and looks like it should last 7 months to a year. Last week I purchase a backup Kamui tip (Medium) for when this one requires replacement.
What weight cue is best? ›
Pool, snooker and billiard cues range from 17 ounces to 21 ounces, and we recommend a cue between 17 to 19 ounces for snooker and standard English and Australian pool playing. A heavier cue (between 20-21 ounces) is often recommended for American Pool as the balls and table are bigger.
What tip does Jayson Shaw use? ›
Specifications
| Tip: | 12.5mm Ultra Skin Medium |
|---|
| Wrap: | Laquered black and green speck Irish linen |
| Sleeve: | Grey stain with black rectangles separated by green and maple splices |
| Plate: | Cream with black Meucci logo |
| Bumper: | Black rubber, plug style |
9 more rowsIt should always be the same diameter as your shaft – no smaller. A smaller tip will give you more control over spin, but may also cause more miscues. A larger tip will give you less spin control, but a more powerful, consistent shot. With American cues, the standard size is usually around 12 or 13mm.
What cue tip does Shane Van Boening use? ›
The only universal similarity you are going to find with the cues pro players use is that they are almost always two-pieces, a butt and a shaft. Next most common factor is probably an Irish-linen or leather wrap on the butt if the cue. Generally speaking, most run-out pool players use cues that weigh under 21 ounces.
