A quick cue question

[Handsumm]

How and why do snooker players let their tips mushroom a little? Is it a tip that is shaped that way, or is it just already made that way? What is the benefit?

 

[Boro Nut]

How and why do snooker players let their tips mushroom a little? Is it a tip that is shaped that way, or is it just already made that way? What is the benefit?

I don't honestly know. I personally don't like it, but notice a few of the Pros at least now favour this (eg Ebdon?). I would imagine it's deliberate fitting of an oversized tip. I always trim mine to size with a Stanley knife flush with the ferrule and will continue to do so. Old habits die hard.

I've certainly had soft tips that mushroomed a bit with use, but I don't like the deadness of a soft tip, and found bits tend to get nipped off between the sharp edge of the brass ferrule and the cue ball. I can't imagine a pro playing with a soft tip. You get no feedback through the cue. I'm quite prepared to be informed otherwise, I just wont be copying them.

Boro Nut

 

[McChen]

they call it a mushroom tip, but its really just an oversize tip, not a fitted tip that has mushroomed out due to play. so if you have a 9mm ferrule, you glue on a 10mm tip. supposedly it helps prevent unintentional side from being applied. i've never tried it myself.