Aramith Red Circle

I personally don't find any significant playing difference between any of the premium cue balls - red circle, blue circle or the pro cup measle. Depending on how I'm playing, I can miss with any of them, or I can run out with any of them.

I'll admit I'm spoiled to the point that whatever set of balls I'm playing with (cue ball and object balls), they need to be cleaned and polished before starting a session - regardless of whether it's practicing by myself or matching up with another player.

It plays very well. And, after all is said and done, I think it really does draw a fraction more easily then the Blue Circle, but not as well as the Aramith Pro ( which is actually smaller than the Blue Circle and, I assume, than the Red Circle as well ). At any rate, I like it! Brings back memories, seeing the red circle every shot.
 
I personally don't find any significant playing difference between any of the premium cue balls - red circle, blue circle or the pro cup measle. Depending on how I'm playing, I can miss with any of them, or I can run out with any of them.

I'll admit I'm spoiled to the point that whatever set of balls I'm playing with (cue ball and object balls), they need to be cleaned and polished before starting a session - regardless of whether it's practicing by myself or matching up with another player.

I find the red circle to play the "lightest" of them all .
Easy to draw and slide. A little hard to force follow and break with.
But, it's the best playing cue ball imo.

The Measle is just about the worst imo. Specially if the set of balls are a little old .
 
I find the red circle to play the "lightest" of them all .
Easy to draw and slide. A little hard to force follow and break with.
But, it's the best playing cue ball imo.

The Measle is just about the worst imo. Specially if the set of balls are a little old .
Seems like I've heard the pro players prefer the Measle ball over any of the others.
 
we weighed the blue circles and red circle ballas and blue was a bit heavier

there was action on this proposition
verl horn pulled out the scales and we joined the betting back in LA some years ago

i personally think the difference is small but it does seem to follow at a different angle and draw easier

almost everyone plays the red circle these days
 
we weighed the blue circles and red circle ballas and blue was a bit heavier

there was action on this proposition
verl horn pulled out the scales and we joined the betting back in LA some years ago

i personally think the difference is small but it does seem to follow at a different angle and draw easier

almost everyone plays the red circle these days

I would agree, Dean. The difference is small but noticeable. I suspect the Blue Circles I have are a bit heavier than the Red Circle. The Blues seem to roll a bit farther than the Reds with the same amount of energy expended.

I WISH our room had the Red Circles. Every cue ball now and for the past 5 years or more, is the Amamith Super Pro Logo ball. They're good cue balls, I would simply prefer the Red Circle. Or, especially, the Blue Circle, even though they're seemingly slightly more difficult to draw.
 
Last edited:
Seems like I've heard the pro players prefer the Measle ball over any of the others.

I can't STAND that measle ball. I felt like I was in danger of having an epileptic seizure each of the ( very ) few times I've used it. :angry:
 
Last edited:
I would agree, Dean. The difference is small but noticeable. I suspect the Blue Circles I have are a bit heavier than the Red Circle.

No. They are the same, 168 grams, new.

What you all are noticing is the Red Circle is made of a smoother, more slippery resin, than the Blue Circe, or for that matter the Measle or Armamith Super Pro, as those latter three are all the same resin. The Red Circle is the different one, not lighter, and not smaller.

All the best,
WW
 
No. They are the same, 168 grams, new.

What you all are noticing is the Red Circle is made of a smoother, more slippery resin, than the Blue Circe, or for that matter the Measle or Armamith Super Pro, as those latter three are all the same resin. The Red Circle is the different one, not lighter, and not smaller.

All the best,
WW

What would make the blues roll a bit father than the reds, WW? It was, literally, noticeable. Not much, of course, but enough for me to have noticed it again and again over several hours. Could the material used, respectively between reds and blues, cause that? If the reds are "more slippery", I would think they would roll farther... but it's the blue not the red that does.
 
We never really had many Red Circle cueballs where I play. We mostly had blue circles and various other Aramith balls. I did try it on a few occations and the impression was always that it was light. It likely isn't, but that's what it looks/feels like when you play. It's really hard to trust impressions like that though.

For example we've had access to a few Cyclop sets for a while now. People keep telling me that the cue ball is light? It isn't, I've weighed it and the weight is the same as the object balls. But to me, when I play it feels heavy, and slippery. I can't believe ANYONE would think that ball is light! Don't trust opinions like these from anyone, not me either. The sound is very different as well. All the ball reactions seem delayed, which is what I normally think indicates that the ball is heavy or very slick, yet it isn't! I suppose it's the bounciness (or lack of) of the resin that gives this impression.

Personally I've never been all that good at adjusting my game to stuff like this, even though I've tried many times to vary the sets I play with. The difference is HUGE to me. But if I HAD to choose, I'd prefer a livelier ball like a Red Circle, over a "heavy" cannon ball like the Cyclop, every time! It just seems you can do more witht the cueball when it's a shade lighter or bouncier. At the moment I've adjusted my game to the Measle ball, but if I had a choice I'd always play Centennials with a Blue Circle.
 
Last edited:
What would make the blues roll a bit father than the reds, WW? It was, literally, noticeable. Not much, of course, but enough for me to have noticed it again and again over several hours. Could the material used, respectively between reds and blues, cause that? If the reds are "more slippery", I would think they would roll farther... but it's the blue not the red that does.

Michael, you can only look at it empirically, if you're going to look at it at all. They are made of different resins, the Red Circle, and Black Circle, for that matter, out of Super Aramith, and the Blue Circle, Measle, and Aramith Pro, made of Super Aramith Pro Resin. They do have different playing characteristics on the table, as well as cleanliness. You can believe me, you can believe other nitwits who want to argue, or you can study the following, from Aramith, if you need other verification.

All the best,
WW
 

Attachments

  • Aramith Cue Balls.jpg
    Aramith Cue Balls.jpg
    72.4 KB · Views: 246
Michael, you can only look at it empirically, if you're going to look at it at all. They are made of different resins, the Red Circle, and Black Circle, for that matter, out of Super Aramith, and the Blue Circle, Measle, and Aramith Pro, made of Super Aramith Pro Resin. They do have different playing characteristics on the table, as well as cleanliness. You can believe me, you can believe other nitwits who want to argue, or you can study the following, from Aramith, if you need other verification.

All the best,
WW

WW, you misunderstand me. I wholly believe you. I am simply trying to reconcile the seeming logical disconnect. I would think per your description, the Red Circle would be the one to travel a bit father per the same energy applied. I was asking if you knew the explanation as you're extremely knowledgeable about these things. My first thought was a weight difference. But if there is no difference, the explanation must lie elsewhere. Freddie said earlier the material used explains why the Red Circle draws a bit more efficiently. There perhaps is a similar explanation for the blue vs the red rolling a bit father.

As the Marine defense counsel in The Caine Mutiny said: "It is not the defence's contention that Commander Queeg is a coward. We assume that no commander of a US naval ship can possibly be a coward. If he commits questionable acts, the explanation must be elsewhere."
 
Last edited:
WW, you misunderstand me. I wholly believe you. I am simply trying to reconcile the seeming logical disconnect. I would think per your description, the Red Circle would be the one to travel a bit father per the same energy applied. I was asking if you knew the explanation as you're extremely knowledgeable about these things. My first thought was a weight difference. But if there is no difference, the explanation must lie elsewhere. Freddie said earlier the material used explains why the Red Circle draws a bit more efficiently. There perhaps is a similar explanation for the blue vs the red rolling a bit father.

As the Marine defense counsel in The Caine Mutiny said: "It is not the defence's contention that Commander Queeg is a coward. We assume that no commander of a US naval ship can possibly be a coward. If he commits questionable acts, the explanation must be elsewhere."

We'll assume for the moment, that you're sure the Blue Circle travels farther on the table than the Red Circle does. Have you accounted for the differences on those particular cue balls. Exact weight and size? Or is one worn more than the other? A very worn cue ball will draw very easy, because, due to it's smaller size, it bites into the table, as it spins backward. On the other hand, it's very hard to follow through a stack of balls, because of its lower mass, going through heavier balls.

And, by traveling farther, what do you really mean? Is it with draw, follow, or a neutral stroke? You expect me to diagnose what is happening to different cue balls in states several hundred miles away, your pool room, without knowing all the conditions?

The Red Circle is definitely a smoother surface than the others mentioned. It will draw easier. It gets quick spin easier, but remember, that spin may wear out quicker as well, as it's not gripping the cloth as tightly as the others, so it might not produce as much distance, if that's what you mean. It could be that in your room, that spin wears out quicker than a rougher, more porous blue circle or measle ball. Or it could be other conditions, including your perception, that may not be fact, if not reproducible. Have you actually tested this on days with equal table cleaning, temperature, and humidity? I have no way of knowing what you ask, though I do know these cue balls react differently.

Am I capable of instantly knowing all these conditions in your pool room? It is more like the Kung Fu Student asking the Master, "How is it that you can hear the caterpillar on the ground?" The Master replies, "How is it that you cannot?"

All the best,
WW
 
Last edited:
We'll assume for the moment, that you're sure the Blue Circle travels farther on the table than the Red Circle does. Have you accounted for the differences on those particular cue balls. Exact weight and size? Or is one worn more than the other? A very worn cue ball will draw very easy, because, due to it's smaller size, it bites into the table, as it spins backward. On the other hand, it's very hard to follow through a stack of balls, because of its lower mass, going through heavier balls.

And, by traveling farther, what do you really mean? Is it with draw, follow, or a neutral stroke? You expect me to diagnose what is happening to different cue balls in states several hundred miles away, your pool room, without knowing all the conditions?

The Red Circle is definitely a smoother surface than the others mentioned. It will draw easier. It gets quick spin easier, but remember, that spin wears out quicker as well, as it's not gripping the cloth as tightly as the others. It could be that in your room, that spin wears out quicker than a heavier blue circle or measle ball. Or it could be other conditions, including your perception, that may not be fact, if not reproducible. Have you actually tested this on days with equal table cleaning, temperature, and humidity? I have no way of knowing what you ask, though I do know these cue balls react differently.

Am I capable of instantly knowing all these conditions in your pool room? It is more like the Kung Fu Student asking the Master, "How is it that you can hear the caterpillar on the ground?" The Master replies, "How is it that you cannot?"

All the best,
WW

I noticed it more on follow than draw although there was some difference drawing as well. And given that, new, the weight is the same, this would be the case as both the Blue and the Red Circle are brand new. And I was using them both today on the same table, same conditions over the course of several hours.

And I didn't expect or want you to diagnose anything at all, I merely value your opinion and felt you may be willing to offer it. If not, that's fine as well.
 
I noticed it more on follow than draw although there was some difference drawing as well. And given that, new, the weight is the same, this would be the case as both the Blue and the Red Circle are brand new. And I was using them both today on the same table, same conditions over the course of several hours.

And I didn't expect or want you to diagnose anything at all, I merely value your opinion and felt you may be willing to offer it. If not, that's fine as well.

I think I gave you plenty to think about, no problem. Half the battle is in your head, when you think something should be happening, based on the equipment. In a truly blind test, the results may not be what you think.

All the best,
WW
 
I think I gave you plenty to think about, no problem. Half the battle is in your head, when you think something should be happening, based on the equipment. In a truly blind test, the results may not be what you think.

All the best,
WW

Point well taken...
 
Seems like I've heard the pro players prefer the Measle ball over any of the others.

I've heard the opposite .

PS
People need to realize, the sets of pool balls at your local hall are most likely old and are smaller due to polishing .
The Measle cue ball really plays heavy on them.

The opaque Red Circle is much easier to play with .

And rumor has it, there are a lot of fake measle cue balls.
 
Last edited:
And...I have an older set of Aramith balls that came with red triangle cueball.
It seems to play like the red circle cueball, to me.

Josh
 
I can't STAND that measle ball. I felt like I was in danger of having an epileptic seizure each of the ( very ) few times I've used it. :angry:

I’m not a fan of the measle ball either....the red dots don’t bother me...
...but they wear unevenly....and THAT bothers me.
...it was thought that phenolic break tips could’ve been the reason for this...
...but I saw a video of carom balls settling on the flat spot when they came to rest...
....the video is now unavailable...:angry:

And there is a lot of bs about some cue balls that are yellowish...
...I got some news for youse guys..they ALL go yellow if left in the dark...
...even new ones.
I just acquired two measle balls that a friend had for a few years...one is barely used...
...one is still in the sealed package...they’re both yellow.
They will both go White if used for a while...may take months.

But the misinformation continues...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtKhO7H0VN8
 
I’m not a fan of the measle ball either....the red dots don’t bother me...
...but they wear unevenly....and THAT bothers me.
...it was thought that phenolic break tips could’ve been the reason for this...
...but I saw a video of carom balls settling on the flat spot when they came to rest...
....the video is now unavailable...:angry:

And there is a lot of bs about some cue balls that are yellowish...
...I got some news for youse guys..they ALL go yellow if left in the dark...
...even new ones.
I just acquired two measle balls that a friend had for a few years...one is barely used...
...one is still in the sealed package...they’re both yellow.
They will both go White if used for a while...may take months.

But the misinformation continues...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtKhO7H0VN8


Great vid, PT, thanks!
 
On the subject of knock off measle cue balls,the average price for aramith
brand seems to be about $36 .Found a knock off for $4.83.depending on your room owner, you may have some sprinkled in among ball sets.I know we do.lol
 
Back
Top