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Slug DoctorTM Template - Fixing Loose Racks One Ball At A Time
- Thread starter i4pool
- Start date
Works great
I play in a bar tournament last night. Before we started I brush the table and the rack area real well. I then used the template to tap the balls.
Myself and everyone else there were amazed at how well it worked.
Thanks Abe Great Product. :thumbup2::thumbup2:
I play in a bar tournament last night. Before we started I brush the table and the rack area real well. I then used the template to tap the balls.
Myself and everyone else there were amazed at how well it worked.
Thanks Abe Great Product. :thumbup2::thumbup2:
rackem-- Thank you. I'm glad it worked out good for you. You won the tourny right? :thumbup: :smile:
-Abe
It sounds like these are a real hit and I might just buy one anyway and try to sneak it into the pool hall.
One question, why does it take 10-15 minutes to set up? What is the setup process? I thought you set up by tapping the balls into the cloth, which would be 5 minutes or so. Is there more to it?
Also, to be fair I think you should put this in the FAQ's:
"Will the dents in the cloth affect the roll of the balls during a game?"
This is the very first question I thought of, and I think it will be one of the most frequently asked questions for any potential customer.
One question, why does it take 10-15 minutes to set up? What is the setup process? I thought you set up by tapping the balls into the cloth, which would be 5 minutes or so. Is there more to it?
Also, to be fair I think you should put this in the FAQ's:
"Will the dents in the cloth affect the roll of the balls during a game?"
This is the very first question I thought of, and I think it will be one of the most frequently asked questions for any potential customer.
Hi CreeDo,
You're absolutely right. I will address the roll-off question in the FAQs. Thanks.
With regards to the set-up time, realistically it would probably take less than 5 minutes. I said 10-15 min because I didn't want anyone to rush the set-up. This involves aligning the template exactly where you want and then securing the template in place while tapping one-by-one.
Actually, now that I think about it more... 10-15 is too long and should be changed. Thanks for highlighting this and for the Q's!
Time to make edits...
-Abe
Roll-Off Question Addressed
Thanks CreeDo! I added the following FAQ:
• Q: Will the indents in the cloth affect the roll of the balls during a game?
• A: There is the possibility that when a rolling ball is coming to a stop at or very close to an indent that it may roll off. Some will say that this is a very small trade-off when knowing you're going to have all balls touching/frozen for the break.
Here's a thread touching on this topic: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=93918&highlight=tap+rolloff
Specifically, here's a post by Bob Jewett from that thread:
Here's another thread: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=144581&highlight=template
Specifically, here's a post by ukpooladdict from that thread:
Thanks CreeDo! I added the following FAQ:
• Q: Will the indents in the cloth affect the roll of the balls during a game?
• A: There is the possibility that when a rolling ball is coming to a stop at or very close to an indent that it may roll off. Some will say that this is a very small trade-off when knowing you're going to have all balls touching/frozen for the break.
Here's a thread touching on this topic: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=93918&highlight=tap+rolloff
Specifically, here's a post by Bob Jewett from that thread:
Here's another thread: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=144581&highlight=template
Specifically, here's a post by ukpooladdict from that thread:
Click here for original thread --> http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=140846
The Slug DoctorTM Template - a.k.a. Tap Mat / Tapping Template
For AZB'ers only:
Special AZB Price is $18 shipped (within CONUS), with $2 to be donated to AZB for each template sold here. Paypal & Money-orders accepted.
If interested, please Paypal $18 to innovative4pool@yahoo.com .
Testimonials from AZB members:
Link--> http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=144581
Testimonial #1:
"...Wow!!!! every rack was perfect all balls touching and did not matter if we
racked 9 ball, 8 ball, straight pool. All balls were frozen perfectly."
-- Slate Billiards
Testimonial #2:
"I got mine a few weeks ago. It works perfectly for me. Every rack is nicely frozen... I'm very happy with mine."
-- EDRJR
Testimonial #3:
"I rate this product 10 out of 10."
-- Marop
Product Description
The Slug DoctorTm template is a setup tool that conditions your pool table's racking area to give you the tightest racks possible. Rest assured that all of the billiard balls will be frozen/touching before being blasted open by your break. WARNING!... you may experience more balls going in on your break!
Works on all size pool tables and all game formats (8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball, Straight Pool, etc...). Made for use with regulation-sized, 2 1/4" diameter billiard balls.
How Does It Work?
The Slug DoctorTm template is used to create small indents in the felt/cloth. These indents are specifically positioned so that the billiard balls are forced to lean up against each other during the racking process. Setup is easy. Simply position the template securely and, one-at-a-time, tap the indents into the felt/cloth using two billiard balls.
Racking The Balls
Racking the balls perfectly has now become easier. You can rack the balls as normal using your preferred rack or even rack by hand without one. (Reference marks or lines optionally placed on the felt help with faster positioning of the rack).
Typical Racking Sequence:
1. Place your triangle rack on the table.
2. Place the billiard balls inside the triangle rack.
3. Align the rack with the reference mark/line.
4. Push the balls forward towards the apex of the rack to bring all the balls together.
5. Remove the triangle rack. You will notice all balls frozen/touching.
14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the Slug DoctorTm template, you can return it and I'll refund your money less shipping charges. Intent to return/refund must be communicated within 14 days of receiving the template.
FAQ's
• Q: Why is it called the Slug DoctorTm?
• A: When one breaks into a loose rack and the balls don't spread very well, it's often referred to as "getting a slug rack". The Slug DoctorTm is your remedy for this.
• Q: How long should it take to setup?
• A: It shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to set up.
• Q: What's the big deal with having all the balls touching?
• A: You get better ball spread and have a better chance of pocketing ball(s) on the break.
• Q: How often does the racking area need to be conditioned?
• A: Unfortunately, there's is no definite answer. It's possible that over time the indents may revert back. If you notice balls start to not freeze, then it is probably time to recondition the racking area.
• Q: When re-conditioning the racking area, how do I know I'm placing the Slug DoctorTm template in the same original location?
• A: During the initial set-up there is a step that includes making alignment marks for future use. You would use these alignment marks to put your template back in the original location.
• Q: Will the indents in the cloth affect the roll of the balls during a game?
• A: There is the possibility that when a rolling ball is coming to a stop at or very close to an indent that it may roll off. Some will say that this is a very small trade-off when knowing you're going to have all balls touching/frozen for the break.
Here's a thread touching on this topic: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=93918&highlight=tap+rolloff
Specifically, here's a post by Bob Jewett from that thread:
Here's another thread: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=144581&highlight=template
Specifically, here's a post by ukpooladdict from that thread:
The Slug DoctorTm template works best with equipment in good condition, preferably newer felt/cloth and newer billiard balls. If the template does not seem to work for you, you may find that one or more of your balls are smaller than the others or that the felt has pre-existing damage making it impossible to condition.
For AZB'ers only:
Price is $18 shipped (within CONUS), with $2 to be donated to AZB for each template sold here. Paypal & Money-orders accepted.
If interested, please Paypal $18 to innovative4pool@yahoo.com .
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact via email... innovative4pool@yahoo.com or PM or post here.
Thanks for Looking!
Additional Feature:
This also doubles as an aid for outlining the triangle area in straight pool / 14.1. How? Assuming you have a center-line from the spot down to the short rail, all you would do is line up the template (with your rack of choice) sighting the spot and center-line through the slit openings. Even better... If you also have a line drawn from the spot center to the long rails, you can more accurately position the template. Then you outline your rack of choice using your preferred method (Sharpie?).
Regards,
When you indent the cloth you cause problem areas to the table.
This is why alot of people break the and send the cue ball flying across the room and it's also why when you shoot across this area where the balls have been indented , you can't slow roll thru this area without the cue ball or other balls being diverted away from the original path.
Most pool hall owners will not alow this type of tapping to be used is discredits the qaulity of the palying table. Maybe it'd be alright for a bar table, most drunks don't care.
Yes, the dents in the cloth will affect the roll of the balls going thru that path. Also, if you break with a lot of english, this will cause the cue ball to go flying over the table, becaUSe the dents are holding the balls and they don't move out of their dents very well.
most pool halls DESPISE TAPPING OF THE BALLS
shotmaker- Thanks for your input. However we do have differing opinions on this. IMO, when the cue ball flies off the table it's a result of too much speed & not hitting the head ball square in the face and/or the CB being not at the same level as the head ball. In other words, the CB is in the air upon impact.
We have differing opinions on this as well. Most tournament players I've seen break don't use a lot of english... maybe a little... but not a lot. And even if the CB was spinning after the break I'm not completely sure the player intended it. IMO, breaking on CB vertical axis only yields more accuracy & power.
Also, I don't think the indents are significant enough to really make it difficult for the balls to move during the break.
-Abe
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Naturally you would disagree, because you're pushing these things.
I didn't come up with this information on my own. There have been many pros thoughout the years that have taught me this. There can be many reasons that the cue ball goes off of the table and one is being that the front ball is tapped, the others are as you pointed out, but time and time again, when different players continually do this, on the same table, it points to the person that originally tapped the head ball.
It 0nly stands logic , if you put little dents all over the place in a general location , that a round object will not roll through there normally as it did before the dents were made.
Can you drive down a road with small holes or bumps in it and tell me it;s the same as a newly paved road? Most of the time it take alot mor effort to control the vehicle than it does after they repave it.
See how pool halls run people out with these tappers, I view this item as a short lived product.
Just adding my 2 cents for what's it's worth
i completely agree with shotmaker.
The very nature of this product is to compromise the flatness of the playing surface... it says so in the product description.
This would be a useful tool for bad bar tables where the rest of the playing surface is already poor and totally uneven... but i would never let this touch a properly felted and leveled good table.
The very nature of this product is to compromise the flatness of the playing surface... it says so in the product description.
This would be a useful tool for bad bar tables where the rest of the playing surface is already poor and totally uneven... but i would never let this touch a properly felted and leveled good table.
This product is obviously not going to be for everyone. And I completely understand that. No hard feelings here.
shotmaker & Da Bank, I do appreciate the input... sincerely.
Fwiw, it is interesting to note that the WPA has accepted this technique of tapping balls:
http://www.wpa-pool.com/index.asp?content=rules#4
All the Best,
Abe
shotmaker & Da Bank, I do appreciate the input... sincerely.
Fwiw, it is interesting to note that the WPA has accepted this technique of tapping balls:
http://www.wpa-pool.com/index.asp?content=rules#4
"4. Racking / Tapping of Balls
A table is said to be “tapped” when a template is placed in the rack area, balls are placed in the holes in the template and are tapped into place. This procedure replaces the use of the traditional triangle rack, and ensures a quick, tight rack. The choice of tapping over traditional racking with a triangle is at the discretion of the event organizer. Players must never tap balls; only tournament officials should tap or re-tap (if needed) the racking area.
For further information about tapping and the templates, contact the WPA Sports Director."
A table is said to be “tapped” when a template is placed in the rack area, balls are placed in the holes in the template and are tapped into place. This procedure replaces the use of the traditional triangle rack, and ensures a quick, tight rack. The choice of tapping over traditional racking with a triangle is at the discretion of the event organizer. Players must never tap balls; only tournament officials should tap or re-tap (if needed) the racking area.
For further information about tapping and the templates, contact the WPA Sports Director."
All the Best,
Abe