What weight pool cue should I choose?

Most players find 19-20 oz ideal for all-around play. Heavier cues (20-21 oz) provide more power for breaking, while lighter cues (18-19 oz) offer more finesse and control. Beginners should start with 19-20 oz as it provides good balance between power and accuracy.

What is low deflection in pool cues and is it worth it?

Low deflection (LD) refers to how much the cue ball squirts sideways when you apply english (sidespin). LD shafts have reduced tip-end mass, causing less cue ball deflection and making aiming more intuitive. They are worth it for players who use a lot of english or are struggling with accuracy on spin shots.

How much should I spend on my first quality pool cue?

For your first quality cue, $150-300 provides excellent options that will last years and support your development. Cues in this range feature straight maple shafts, quality tips, and reliable construction from brands like Action, Athena, and entry-level McDermott.

What tip size is best - 11mm, 12mm, or 13mm?

Standard tips are 12.75-13mm, which are forgiving and great for beginners. Smaller tips (11-12mm) allow more precise cue ball contact and spin generation but require more accuracy. For general play and learning fundamentals, stick with 12.75-13mm until you develop preferences through experience.

Carbon fiber shaft vs wood - which is better?

Carbon fiber shafts never warp, provide consistent hit regardless of humidity, and offer maximum low-deflection. Wood shafts provide traditional feel and feedback many players prefer. Carbon fiber typically costs $500-1500 for the shaft alone. For most recreational players, quality wood shafts perform excellently.

What brands make the best pool cues?

Premium American brands include Predator (low-deflection technology leader), McDermott (Wisconsin craftsmanship, lifetime warranty), and Jacoby (handcrafted customs). Mid-range value leaders include Cuetec, Viking, and Lucasi. Budget-friendly options from Action and Players serve recreational players well.

How do I know if a pool cue shaft is warped?

Roll the cue on a pool table or flat surface - a straight shaft rolls smoothly while a warped one wobbles. Also sight down the shaft like a rifle, rotating it to check for curves. To prevent warping: store cues vertically in a case, avoid car trunks and temperature extremes, and never lean cues against walls.

Do I need separate break and playing cues?

For serious players, yes. Break shots stress equipment significantly - the repeated hard impacts can damage playing cue tips, joints, and even warp shafts over time. Dedicated break cues feature reinforced construction, phenolic tips, and heavier weight optimized for powerful breaks.

What is the difference between 1-piece and 2-piece cues?

Two-piece cues disconnect at the joint (mid-cue) for easy transport and storage in cases. One-piece cues do not come apart. Two-piece is standard for serious players - the joint does not affect playability when properly manufactured. One-piece cues are typically inexpensive house cues.

How often should I replace my cue tip?

Replace tips when they are worn down to 1/8 inch height, become mushroomed (wider than ferrule), harden significantly, or will not hold chalk properly. Typical replacement frequency is every 6-12 months for regular players. Proper tip maintenance (shaping, scuffing, chalking correctly) extends tip life significantly.

Tiger Onyx QTTON1 Tip - Single | Premium Pool Cues & Billiards

Tiger Onyx Tiger Onyx QTTON1 Tip – Single Boar Hide 11 layered 14mm

Tiger Onyx Tips

Boar leather
This leather is tanned using a special process that turns the tips black without the use of dyes
Hardness level: Medium
Available in 14mm
This tip is sold individually or boxes of 12

Weight	0.5 lbs
Brand
Made in	US
Size	14
Material	Boar Hide
Layers	11

36 reviews for Tiger Onyx QTTON1 Tip – Single

Rated 5 out of 5

Morgan P. – February 26, 2020

Perfect

tip works perfectly Happy with my choice.
Rated 5 out of 5

Taylor T. – April 8, 2020

Love the tiger onyx!!!

Am thrilled with the tiger onyx!!!
Rated 5 out of 5

Sam W. – April 17, 2020

First time I tried Tiget Onyx and very impressed.

Tried the Tiger Onyx for the first time on my McDermott stick. Wow what a amazing tip….good english action as it sticks to the ball but also gives a good durable hit. Construction is really solid and no issues with deformation. Holds chalk very nicely and no edge feathering or chipping. I think I found my current favorite tip.
Rated 5 out of 5

Drew J. – May 19, 2020

finest

this is the best tip that I’ve ever used to date thank you
Rated 5 out of 5

Bob J. – June 29, 2020

Tiger Onyx

Grabs the ball – Wonderful strike –
Rated 4 out of 5

Pat B. – June 29, 2020

Tiger Onyx cue tip

this tip does a good job. It was effortless to shape and seems to hold it so maintenance maybe less than other tips I have tried. It has a good feel on impact with a decent english response. Too early to be totally positive on how this tip will hold up under day to day use. Initial impressions are good.
Rated 5 out of 5

Mary H. – July 21, 2020

Tiger Onyx

Stellar tip!! Fantastic control and feel on soft or touch shots.
Rated 4 out of 5

Sam L. – September 1, 2020

it’s OK

Honestly, it’s OK
Rated 5 out of 5

Karen E. – October 31, 2020

Best tip out there by far.

Will not have any other tip on my cue’s but this one from now on. Performs amazing.
Rated 4 out of 5

Rick B. – November 9, 2020

Onyx tip

A friend recommended this tip and so far I am pleased. I’m not miscuing nearly as much as I was with the Kamui soft I was using.
Rated 5 out of 5

Taylor J. – November 22, 2020

Tiger onix tip is amazing,

Tiger onix tip is amazing, great feel to it. Operates perfectly with the kumi chalk Satisfied customer here.
Rated 5 out of 5

Karen J. – January 25, 2021

Really like the super soft

Really like the super soft tip. Had thought a long time about trying it pretty happy with it.
Rated 4 out of 5

Sue W. – February 1, 2021

A little harder then i

A little harder then i anticipated
Rated 5 out of 5

Alex H. – March 15, 2021

Fantastic cue tip

have tried several different brands/models over the years. Really like this one….think I found a new favorite. Holds up nicely, no chipping or fuzziness. Sticks to the cue ball well. Works effectively for nice soft hits for finessing the shot. Control very good. Looking forward to trying this with my CF shaft at one point….now it is on cue with traditional shaft.
Rated 5 out of 5

Steve C. – April 2, 2021

Awesome tip

Amazing tip
Rated 5 out of 5

Mary A. – June 9, 2021

thanks for the quick shipping.i

thanks for the quick shipping.i was using sniper and wanted to compare with onyx. it feels a bit harder than sniper,and the power is transmitted more directly to the cue ball ,i guess. i like it.
Rated 5 out of 5

Karen A. – September 14, 2021

Have not miscued since installing

Have not miscued since installing this tip.
Rated 5 out of 5

Dave K. – October 30, 2021

PoolDawn has the best pool

PoolDawn has the premier pool billiard products in the world I highly endorse everyone to purchase they top quality billiard accessories I encourage all my friends and family members to pick up from PoolDawn I guarantee they will be quite happy with there products I will always get from PoolDawn knowing I’m getting the very finest products in the world for the game I truly love and have unconditional passion for thank you I’m very satisfied with my products from PoolDawn
Rated 5 out of 5

Karen D. – December 13, 2021

Awesome tip puts great spin

Incredible tip puts fantastic spin on the cue stick ball and you can control the spin. I break with it and no mushroom at all. So far it’s seems to wear well and I sand paper it up before ever tournament I play in and I contact one to three a week. So I will definitely purchase another one.
Rated 4 out of 5

Karen B. – January 27, 2022

Tiger onyx operates for me,

Tiger onyx performs for me, less miscues, better feel
Rated 5 out of 5

Jesse H. – February 15, 2022

great tip

best tip I have personally tried. That said once I tried this tip I didnt try any others.
Rated 5 out of 5

Jordan J. – March 26, 2022

Tiger Onyx a good deal the extra money.

Tiger Onyx a step above any other tip i have used. Excellent control on soft or hard pocket shots. Has really increased my ability to use any english when needed. Really strikes true. Tiger Onyx delivers amazing performance for only a few dollars more. Am impressed by it.
Rated 5 out of 5

Dave K. – September 5, 2022

Amazing tip!

My new favorite playing tip, especially on the Tiger Pro shaft. It transfers power like a good medium tip, spins and controls the stick ball like a decent soft tip, seems to be wearing properly, holds chalk well, etc. Most importantly to me it doesn’t compress/harden or start glazing mid-match after a few weeks of constant use. I do clean it, shape and burnish it regularly.
Rated 5 out of 5

Pat E. – February 9, 2023

I’ve been exploring playing with

I’ve been exploring playing with various tips and I have to say the Tiger Dynamite is the finest of the bunch. Great feel for a medium/hard tip. Control is excellent.
Rated 5 out of 5

Jesse W. – February 16, 2023

very good tips

Honestly, extremely nice tips
Rated 5 out of 5

Mike P. – July 18, 2023

Service was outstanding Tip little

Service was great. Tip little softer then wanted. But is getting better the more I use it. Need more at table to give a better report.
Rated 5 out of 5

Casey N. – September 7, 2023

Tips are the best in

Tips are the best in the world. Your delivery was rapid and precise. I’ll purchase again and tell all 600 members of The Villagers Billiard Club to look at Pool dawgs before ordering from somewhere else. Thank you, DS
Rated 4 out of 5

Mary D. – December 29, 2023

Tiger Onyx

A durable feel and confident hit. Medium tip that produces major spin! I’ve had no problem drawling the ball. Shots are precise also. Over all a wonderful tip. Produce that soft tip spin without the work you have to put into keeping a soft tip playable!
Rated 5 out of 5

Jesse W. – January 7, 2024

Great service and products.

In my experience, as usual Pooldawg had the items that I needed and I ordered and received them really quickly. The Tiger tips are my favorite.
Rated 5 out of 5

Mary E. – May 10, 2024

Nice tip. Scuffs nicely and

Nice tip. Scuffs well and hols shape
Rated 5 out of 5

Chris M. – August 6, 2024

performs effectively and has held

performs properly and has held up through increased play time so far.
Rated 5 out of 5

Rick E. – September 11, 2024

Holdsverygood

Very good
Rated 5 out of 5

Amy K. – September 23, 2024

Adore these tips!!

Adore these tips!!
Rated 5 out of 5

Alex H. – December 31, 2024

I’d purchase the Tiger Onyx tip again!

This is a great tip. I actually wanted a kamui tip, but after a lot of research, I decided to give this one a try. Holds chalk really nicely! I’m making more accurate shots with fewer miscues. Excellent construction.
Rated 5 out of 5

Jesse S. – November 13, 2025

Tip was simple to install.

Truthfully, tip was easy to install. Really moves the ball on my predator Z2 shaft. Play a Carolina Custom I designed before they went out of business. I’d get another one.
Rated 5 out of 5

Steve H. – March 26, 2026

Tiger Onyx tip

This has been my go to tip for years. Fantastic feel and holds chalk effectively. Pooldawg shipment is the premier around.