jay helfert said:

My previous playing cue was a house cue that Pappy Winkler (the owner of Wink's Pool Room which was the forerunner to Forest Park Billiards in Dayton) cut in two and put a brass joint in for me. All for $5! I loved that cue until someone stole it from me in a little pool room in Richmond, IN. I was beating up on their .50 cents and a dollar ring game and they didn't like it.

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Brother Ron said:

Understanding Cue Tip Softness and Spin​

To understand how a soft cue tip can increase the amount of spin on a cue ball, we need to break down the mechanics of how the cue tip interacts with the cue ball during a shot.

1. Contact Time and Friction​

When a player strikes the cue ball with a soft tip, the softness allows for greater deformation upon impact. This deformation increases the contact time between the cue tip and the cue ball. A longer contact time means that there is more opportunity for friction to act on the cue ball, which is crucial for imparting spin.

• Friction: The friction between the soft tip and the surface of the cue ball is what allows spin (or “English”) to be applied effectively. The increased grip from a softer material helps in transferring rotational energy to the ball.

2. Tip Offset and Spin Generation​

The amount of spin imparted on a cue ball is also significantly influenced by where on the ball it is struck (the offset). When using a soft tip, players can hit further off-center without risking a miscue because:

• Deformation: The soft tip compresses more easily, allowing it to maintain contact with the cue ball even when striking at an angle. This ability enables players to apply more sidespin or backspin effectively.

3. Energy Transfer Efficiency​

While some might think that harder tips would impart more spin due to better energy transfer, studies show that within typical ranges of hardness, both hard and soft tips can generate similar amounts of spin when struck correctly.

• Energy Transfer: A well-chalked soft tip can still transfer sufficient energy while allowing for greater control over spin due to its ability to deform and grip better during impact.

4. Psychological Factors​

Players often feel more confident using softer tips because they perceive them as being more forgiving when applying spin. This psychological aspect can lead players to experiment with hitting off-center more frequently, thus increasing their overall ability to generate spin.

Conclusion​

In summary, a soft cue tip increases the amount of spin on a cue ball primarily due to its ability to deform upon impact, which enhances contact time and friction between the tip and ball, allowing for effective energy transfer and greater control over off-center hits.

The combination of these physical properties makes softer tips particularly advantageous for players looking to maximize their spin capabilities during play.

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Cue Tip Hardness Effects - Dr. Dave Pool Info

Answers to frequently-asked questions about cue tip hardness comparisons.

drdavepoolinfo.com

jbart65 said:

Down to 10.

I predicted Nhiet (Bui Trong An), Koyongian and Styer near the bottom. An was last (16th), Koyongian 13th and Tyler 12th.

Did not bank on Eklent Kaci finishing at 14th. He struggled, especially on longer shots. Just not the same player who crushed Filler in the UK Open a few years ago. Didn't look confident. Good news, to me, is he was angry at himself. Showed that he cared. Supposed to play a lot in the US this year to try to get back up to speed. We'll see.

Pijus Labutis was the only disappointment to me. Seemed to struggle with the tight pockets - tightest I've seen at a MR event since the UK Open. Got a second gear toward the end, but had an awful start that he just could not overcome.

AJ Manas finished 15th, but he actually played quite well. Needs a big boy break and better safety and defensive play, but what a talent.

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sjm said:

CJ was a very elite player. I often saw him play in his prime. He attained the #1 ranking on the PBT in what I believe was 1996. Had to avoid guys like Sigel, Strickland, Parica and a few others in action, but was one of the very best money players in the world.

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