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What do the pro’s use
Well I’ve been changing snooker tips for over 34 years now and people are still trying to find that perfect shape and get the edge on the opposition. Is there a perfect shape? Well we could debate that all evening and after discussing this with many players, conversations can get quite heated when discussing what constitutes the perfect strike from the best surface and that’s even without discussing which chalk should be used.
I watched this years World Snooker Championships and decided to observe a few of the tips on show and tried also to see if I could see what makes of tips the players used and how they had shaped them. One thing I did see was that not only did Stuart Bingham change his tip for the world’s but it was a completely different shape; was this because the old one had worn out or because he wanted to totally change the look and feel of it? Did this affect him going out in the first round? Well let me know what he says if you have the gumption to ask him; I wouldn’t and he’s a lovely guy by all accounts.
So, what tips do people ask for?
Snooker Tip – Domed
Very common tip and has a nice large dome on the top of the tip, this is certainly the tip shape I get asked for the most.
Snooker Tip – Mushroom Flat
This is just a tip that is a size up from the ferrule diameter and fitted in the usual way.
Snooker Tip – Coned Mushroom
This is an over-sized tip with the sides sliced diagonally to meet the ferrule diameter (see Barry Hawkins tip below).
Snooker Tip – Flat
This also a very common tip where the edges are sanded off but the top surface is pretty much flat.
So…
Take a look at some of the professional players tips below which I collected just prior and during and after the 2016 World Snooker Championships, why do you use the shape you use and do you need a change?
Barry Hawkins Snooker Cue Tip
I’m not so sure on the coned mushroom tip myself as it’s certainly way out there but it looks like it would have plenty of feel. Barry’s tip does look nice though and probably not too old I would guess?
Ding Junhui Snooker Cue Tip
Well this is more of a conventional snooker tip, I certainly fit a lot of these. It’s got a slight dome at the top and it’s not to high so another nice tip.
Ali Carter Snooker Cue Tip
Well this one looks a bit of a cross between a mushroom and a domed tip, either way, this doesn’t look too old so how old was this when he started this years world finals?
Martin Gould Snooker Cue Tip
This looks like more of a conventional tip, very close to the standard flat tip. The tip looks like it’s a nice shape and one I prefer, especially the height.
Ronnie O’Sullivan Snooker Cue Tip 1
Looking at the bottom edge of this tip of this tip, Ronnie uses the domed tip. It looks quite high off the ferrule but who’s gonna argue with that!
Ronnie O’Sullivan Snooker Cue Tip 2
Well Ronnie seems to have a different size cue tip and also the shape is now a little more standard and domed. The height is certainly a lot less and there is a slight cone where the tip is larger than the ferrule but nothing to write home about.
Mark King Snooker Cue Tip – Early 2016
Now there’s a mushroom tip without any depth to the ferrule. This is certainly an unusual one that I’d like to try for feel.
Mark King Snooker Cue Tip – Late 2016
As we can see here, Mark King’s snooker tip shape did not change from the Pre – 2016 World Championships to when he won the 2016 Northern Ireland Open.
Anthony McGill Snooker Cue Tip
Again, this is more of a conventional flat tip. A reasonable amount of depth with very little dome on the surface. Sits nice on this cushion.
Mark Selby Snooker Cue Tip
Well this is a nice big tip that is very domed. It almost looks like a slight mushroom but what sticks out for me most is the huge depth of the tip! I think he did ok with it though!
Judd Trump Snooker Cue Tip
Not the best picture but the tip is certainly domed without any real depth underneath the surface area. I like to see a little depth before the surface shape.
John Higgins Snooker Cue Tip
Well we’re back to that conventional shape for one of our established pro’s. Nice depth and average shape, tip looks a little hard, I wonder if it is?
Stuart Bingham Snooker Cue Tip
Just Prior to the 2016 World Finals, Stuart’s tip was borderline, this is where I love it for feel on the tip I use but maybe a bit close to the ferrule when defending your world title, was there a replacement for the first round.? Looks that way to me!
Stuart Bingham Snooker Cue Tip
This looks like a larger tip than a few weeks previous to the World Championships or maybe it’s just the angle? The tip certainly looks a lot deeper and domed. Always difficult to decide the best time to change your tip!
Stuart Bingham Snooker Cue Tip
Well here we are in the 2016 China Championship and the tip looks similar to the worlds so I don’t think Stuarts undecided on tip shapes, the tip just wears like the rest of us and like us, he’s probably a bit apprehensive at changing it!
Jimmy White – Old Snooker Cue Tip
Well here is an old cue tip shape that Jimmy White used. There aren’t many defining lines but he plays the shots so well off the cushions so stable grip. Not a usual shape nowadays but who can argue!
Kyren Wilson Snooker Cue Tip
Well the snooker tip of Kyren Wilson looks like a standard domed tip in shape although at first glance the whole tip looks a bit miss-shaped. Looking closely, it seems that he may actually favour chalking the top part of the tip a little more?
Kyrom Wilson Snooker Cue Tip – Different Angle
Well considering that the first picture of Kyrom’s snooker tip looked miss-shaped, this second picture shows that it wasn’t the picture angle, he does actually seem to prefer chalking the top of his tip more, would this be for screw and stun shots?
Mark Williams Snooker Cue Tip
Well this looks like a very tidy domed snooker tip shape. Giles Martin fitted this for Mark and has made a very neat job of burnishing the tip edges to protect the shape of the tip and help prevent mushrooming.
Anthony Hamilton – Snooker Cue Tip
Again we can see that this is s standard dome type snooker tip shape. On the side the tip has been burnished to prevent mushrooming and it does make the tip look neater. It shows how small the tip playing area is when you look at the chalk.
Mark Allen – Snooker Cue Tip
At first glances this looks slightly like a mushroom tip but that’s because the top of the ferrule is darker. It is actually a standard domed tip shape with burnished edges to help protect the tip from mushrooming, looks like a nice size snooker tip.
David Gilbert – Snooker Cue Tip
Not a great deal of tip here which is how I like it. Burnished well on the edges and just maybe a tad mushroomed but not much. I’d say overall it is pretty standard as tips go.
Marco Fu – Snooker Cue Tip
This a standard dome shaped snooker tip for Marco here; nothing out of the ordinary and a reasonable distance height from the ferrule. This is the tip he won the Scottish Open with in 2016 so i’m sure it’s not doing him any harm!
Subcategories
Billiard Cue Tips Brand Article Count: 3
What Tip suits your Cue?
There square measure myriad cue stick tips accessible on the market these days and various variables which will have a considerable impact on your shot. once it comes time to alter your tip think about the subsequent to go with your taking part in vogue and come through the simplest potential scores.
Soft or Hard
The most crucial part to contemplate once choosing a cue stick tip is that the density; laborious or soft? laborious tips have a far larger period than their softer counterparts that means lower maintenance, replacements and checks. They conjointly play a lot of systematically. Soft tips, however, tend to mushroom and flatten, that means way more effort to keep up. They need regular checks and frequent replacement. Despite this, several novices and professionals alike select a soft cue as a result of they believe they equate to larger ball control; they’re definitely ideal if you place tons of spin in your shot and hold chalk higher thanks to being easier to scuff.
Pool tips vary in density from super soft to phenolic resin, thought of to be as laborious because the ball itself. several players like better to use a tougher selection to interrupt and a softer tip for ability shots. the quality go-to gift on most new pool cues could be a medium density tip; that is taken into account a decent middle ground in terms of maintenance, consistency and ball management. On the way finish of the scale; the additional laborious carbon fibre phenolic resin tip needs next to no maintenance and transfers the foremost power to the billiard ball, creating them the right option to part. If phenolic resin is your weapon of selection make certain to countercheck along with your tournament that non-leather varieties square measure permissible as a result of some leagues don't allow their use.
Solid or Layered?
The great animal skin discussion has divided the best pool players for many years. ought to we tend to select solid animal skin or a laminated animal skin tip?
Solid animal skin tips square measure made-up by punching a hole through specially tanned animal skin, and in and of itself square measure a awfully efficient possibility. wide thought of to be the foremost applicable selection for one-piece home cues, they turn out a terse hit on the billiard ball. this selection is additionally convenient to switch, requiring borderline trimming. Solid animal skin tips aren't while not their disadvantages but, they have a tendency to misshape and compress quite superimposed alternatives and might become spongy thanks to the larger grooming demand. present inconsistencies within the animal skin also can turn out unpredictable results.
Layered animal skin tips, because the name suggests, square measure created from skinny layers of animal skin stuck beside adhesive. the following pointers last longer as they need less grooming and have a tendency to supply a lot of consistent results thanks to negating the danger of natural imperfections within the animal skin by exploitation multiple items. superimposed tips, conjointly called laminate tips, square measure stronger and hold chalk higher, providing higher billiard ball management.
Different cue tips square measure a reasonable thanks to experiment with parts that greatly have an effect on your shot. think about that density and material is best suited to your taking part in vogue and if doubtful you can’t go way wrong with a medium density tip.
Have your Say!
If you are playing Snooker then it is very important for you know about the cue tips. There are different types and fittings of cue tips available in the market. Hard tips are really good to use but it ‘s a players personal preference which tips are best.
Here are some very popular cue tips
-Elk Master is a fine tip made by Tweeten and it is regarded as the most popular soft cue tip across the globe. This is one of the most popular tips for snooker.
-LePro is one of the most popular cue tip used across the world. This is a medium hard tip.
-Moori is a type of a layered cue tip. This cue tip manufactured from pigskin. This is the choice of the professionals. It is available in all types such as hard, medium, and soft. Layered tips give a different feel and consistency of shot.
Most of us play snooker in our leisure. We are well aware of the rules of the games but sometimes we tend to miss out on the other aspects of the game. One such thing is the types and fittings of the Snooker Cue tips. Most of the Snooker cue tips nowadays are made from various types of leather, the process manufacturing of which is still a very well kept secret. Various pieces of equipment are available for cue tip fitting. There are various vice grips, sanding pads, tip glue etc. It’s best to experiment to find a system that works for you.
A cue is the most vital element in the game of Snooker and it is essential to own your snooker cue if you are actually looking forward to develop your ability in playing the game. While you are buying a cue you will get a variety of choices. Choosing the right type of cue is very important when you wish to excel in the game. Bought cues may come with a cue tip pre-installled. make sure that this tip is suitable for you before playing. Some cheaper cues will install an extremely poor variety of tip on the cue while custom cue makers will often ask which type of tip you prefer to be installed.
The standard length of a cue is around fifty-eight inches and the recommended weight should be not more than seventeen ounces. Snooker cue tip vary in sizes but 10 millimeters is taken to be the standard size. Although experts use 9mm and 11mm tip sizes, it is best to learn the game in a 10mm tip size. At the end of the cue a ferrule remains attached so that it can prevent the tip from splitting.
Pool Cue Tips Article Count: 3
Elk Master Cue Tip
Crafted from prime mineral tanned animal skin. The cervid Master tips ar created within the USA by the Tweeten Fibre Company, a similar company that creates Triangle and Masters Chalk. the information ar fertile with chalk for fewer miscues.
These tips ar obtainable to shop for as a pack of fifty in their original box (as per image). These 5 pack tips are going to be decanted from the box shown and provided in a very tiny re-sealable bag to form it less expensive for our customers. Tips ar obtainable within the following sizes:
Chalking your cue tip should be an every shot occurence. The reason being that when we do not chalk the tip it becomes easy for the fibres within the tip to become impacted. When they are impacted then it becomes very hard for the tip to ‘grip’ the cueball. The chalk holds the fibres open and stops them from fusing together.
Pool Cue Tips Review Article Count: 4
Kamui Laminated Snooker Tips
2 completely different styles of top quality KAMUI laminated snooker cue tips excellent for any player.
KAMUI Black:
The KAMUI Black tip is intended to feature a lot of spin to the billiard ball. additionally to the advantages of KAMUI Original, the player will place a lot of spin to the billiard ball with a comparatively slower speed of the snooker or pool stick. The physical property of the black animal skin absorbs the momentum of the cue therefore on propel the billiard ball with the desired spin.
(M) MEDIUM – Adjustable to most of the conditions and have a sensible balance of the billiard ball spin and its momentum. prompt initial to any or all players United Nations agency perceive the relation between spin and momentum.
(MH) MEDIUM exhausting – counseled for players United Nations agency square measure assured in their cue action and time the ball well. once placing the billiard ball exhausting tips produce a less elastic collision which implies sensible temporal order is important to eliminate miscues and generate spin.
KAMUI Original:
The KAMUI Original tip has become accepted for adding grip and consistency to the flexibility of a cue. Now, KAMUI animal skin maintains even a lot of consistency facultative the tip to grip the billiard ball to stop miscuing. The KAMUI tip incorporates a high normal of quality which ends inconsistent playability over the other on the market. The characteristics of the tip combined with the talent of the player drive them into the “ZONE”.
(M) MEDIUM – Adjustable to most of the conditions and have a sensible balance of the billiard ball spin and its momentum. prompt initial to any or all players United Nations agency perceive the relation between spin and momentum.
(MH) MEDIUM exhausting – counseled for players United Nations agency square measure assured in their cue action and time the ball well. once placing the billiard ball exhausting tips produce a less elastic collision which implies sensible temporal order is important to eliminate mis-cues and generate spin.
Snooker Cue Tips Article Count: 2
Blue Diamond Cue Tips
Created within the USA by Brunswick, from hand-selected water ox hide. the information square measure then infused with velvet-grade silicon dioxide for max adherence and shaped with forty,000 pounds of pressure that ensure a consistent density.
The tips square measure on the market in 9mm, 10mm or 11mm sizes. Please live the diameter of your cue collet rigorously and that we would counsel that if you're undecided, you decide for the larger sized tip which might then be filed down.
Features:
- Pack of five x Blue Diamond glue on snooker or cue tips.
- Available in 9mm, 10mm or 11mm.
Snooker Cue Tips Review Article Count: 4
Elk Pro Snooker Cue Tip
The Alces alces-Pro may be a skilled version of the ever standard Alces alces Master tip, it had been developed for a lot of serious players UN agency just like the characteristics of the Alces alces Master tip however area unit trying to find bigger consistency and need the choice of sentimental, Medium or exhausting tips. it's factory-made to new tolerances of form and hardness by the world’s most revered tip manufacturers, Tweeten Fibre co. in the U.S.A. Boxes of 3 tips area unit out there in sizes 9mm, 9.5mm, 10mm, 10.5mm, 11mm, 13mm & 14mm within the Soft, Medium or exhausting choices.
Features:
- Made mistreatment solely hand chosen animal skin from the prime portion of the hide.
- New increased treatment processes eliminate impurities and guarantee total saturation of the animal skin.
- Pressed into form employing a new technique to enhance consistency of form.
- Tip consistency maintained through new correct hardness testing techniques.
- The fibre of the guidelines has been maintained therefore even the exhausting tips don't feel or sound too solid.
- Incredible grip and chalk adhesion.
- The perfect partner for Triangle-Pro chalk.
- Available in three grades: Soft, Medium and exhausting.
- Available in seven sizes: 9mm, 9.5mm, 10mm, 10.5mm, 11mm, 13mm and 14mm