Is a flat or rounded cue tip better?

Answer 1

A flat cue tip cannot hit the cue ball with predictable results. Cue tips are typically rounded to "nickel" or "dime" shapes. These terms indicate how round it is - with a dime shape being identical to the curvature of a dime, and nickel shpae somewhat flatter like the curve of a nickel. The cue tip in use by a good player when using much "English" will use the dime tip, as it will stay in contact with the ball longer than nickel shape. The nickel shape is more forgiving and an all around use shape, and is more common for most players.