If  you look at a cue rack in your local club you will see tips on cues of all shapes and sizes, and you could probably play a game with any of them.  However, to get the most out of your cue you will want to get a cue with the tip size that best suits your game. Tips DO make a difference to your game, after all, it is the only part of the cue that actually makes contact with the ball, so you want that part of the cue to be right.

Generally speaking, the bigger the ball you are striking, the bigger the tip. Blue Moon `pool cues` are fitted with a tip between 8 and 8.5mm, and Blue Moon `snooker cues` are fitted with tips between 9 and 10mm.  The American pool cues are often fitted with tips of between 12 and 13mm, because the balls are bigger in size again.

This is not to say that many excellent pool players do not play with bigger tips. In fact many players that play both pool and snooker using the same cue often prefer playing with bigger tips, because the smaller the tip size, the more accurate you have to be when striking the ball.  Too much side when striking a snooker cue ball with a very small tip could result in an embarrassing miscue.

Certainly,  many pool players feel that they can get more control of the cue ball by playing with a smaller tip.

As if tip size was not enough to concern yourself with, there are also other important issues such as tip shape and hardness.  Tip shape is again down to personal choice and you will probably try several different shapes before you settle for one that you particularly like to play with.  It is always a good idea to carry around a tip file / shaper (see our accessory page) so that your tip is shaped and holds the chalk well. Incidentally, it is also advised to chalk your cue before every shot to ensure good contact.

Though most players prefer to play with a simple dome shaped tip, others like to use a mushroom shaped tip, which have become more popular since many of the professionals have been seen using them on the T.V 

Firmness of the tip is again personal choice, and varies from some players preference for a rock hard tip, which will keep its shape longer, to a softer tip which some players claim gives `more bite` on the cue ball.  Tips and chalk are also available on our accessory page. 

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