Jump/Break Cue Tip Shape

[BassMasterK]

I decided to get a dedicated break cue after years of just grabbing a house cue as a break cue and after trying out quite a few, I decided on a McDermott Stinger with a Samsara tip. As I was getting ready to shape the tip to match my playing cue, I decided to read up more about the cue first since I had never dealt with a break cue tip before.

On McD's site they say "Our tip can be shaped flatter than a typical break cue’s tip. The flatter profile causes the Stinger tip to have a huge “sweet spot.” You can mishit and still get the result you intended."

I'm wondering a couple of things. First, are break cue tips in general better when flatter than a players cue tip that is dime shaped? Second, does their even flatter shape really create a bigger "sweet spot"? If yes, then why doesn't every company do the same? It sounds like marketing hype to me. Lastly, would the same flat tip be superior for jump shots over a dime shaped tip?

 

[StretchMXZ]

Following this thread bc I just bought a stinger

 

[Johnny Rosato]

Nickle for breaker, dime for player!

 

[mattb]

Quarter

I go a little flatter and shape it more like a quarter radius. It's not much difference but just what I prefer.

I would suggest you start with a flatter radius, break for a while with it then reshape if you aren't getting what you want.

 

[BassMasterK]

Thanks for the replies. After thinking about it more, I realized that a flatter tip would indeed offer a wider margin of compensation for error as long as you are always hitting center ball or very close to it, which for a break cue you should be.

I'll stick with the stock shape and then correct if I need to. Honestly, as I thought back to most of the house cues I have been breaking with, a lot of them have flatter tips as well just because they rarely are taken care of and see a ton of play.