Pool glossary · Cue Ball & Spin
Tip offset
Also called: Tip position, Tips of english
How many tips of english can you use?
Tip offset is how far from center you hit the cue ball, measured in tip widths. About one tip (roughly half the distance to the miscue limit) gives strong spin; the practical maximum before miscuing is about half the ball's radius from center.
In more detail
Players describe offsets like 'one tip low' or 'half a tip right'. Learning to place the tip precisely is a trainable skill — use a striped ball as a cue ball to see your contact point.
People also ask
What happens beyond the miscue limit?
The tip slides off the ball instead of gripping it, producing a miscue with almost no spin and an unpredictable path.
Train it at the table
More guides on tip offset
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