How to Improve the Tip of a Snooker Cue

Altering or replacing the tip of a snooker cue will noticeably improve control and overall performance of the stick. The tip of the snooker cue makes direct contact with the ball and absorbs a large amount of the impact force. These collisions may cause the tip to wear, compact or misalign with the end of the snooker cue. A few simple adjustments or a full tip replacement will return the snooker cue to accurate shooting condition.

Add chalk to the tip of a snooker cue when you notice it is sliding off the sides of the ball and causing misdirected shots. Hold the billiard chalk still as you gently twist the tip of the cue into the divot.

Round the tip of the snooker cue with fine grit sandpaper to improve the spin control. Use the edge of a nickel as an arc guide for medium spin and the edge of a dime as a guide for maximum spin. The tiny abrasions made by the sandpaper also increase surface area to improve traction at the tip.

Remove heavily worn tips by laying the cue on a towel and pressing the blade of a box cutter in between the tip and the plastic or metal ferrule. Push down as you spin the cue until the blade cuts away the tip.

Sand away residual dried adhesive from the end of the snooker cue to leave a smooth flat surface for the new tip.

Squeeze a very small dab, approximately 5mm, of Super Glue or a related substance onto the centre of the smoothly sanded end of the snooker cue.

Press the replacement tip onto the glue with the flat side facing down and align it to the edges of the ferrule. Many tips label this as the "glue side" to avoid a mistake.

Hold the tip onto the glue for three minutes before setting the cue aside overnight to dry.

Shape the end of the new tip with sand paper using the nickel or dime edge as a guide.

Apply chalk to the new tip and take at least 20 soft shots on the snooker table before using the newly tipped cue in a full game. These soft collisions gently compress and seat the tip properly for accurate shots.