WAXGATE and the Effects of Slick Cloth and Waxed Balls

dr_dave

dr_dave

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FYI, I just posted a new video that discusses the WaxGate controversy following the recent $1M World Championship in Saudi Arabia. I break down example shots from the tournament, comparing typical and slick or waxed conditions. I also demonstrate all ball-reaction effects that are different with a waxed ball. Finally, I offer recommendations for changes that should be made to the game in response to move forward positively. Check it out:


Contents:
0:00 - Background
2:42 - Example Shots
5:00 - Fedor's Banana Carom Shot
6:52 - All Waxing Effects
---- 7:01 - draw is easier
---- 7:06 - sidespin reacts less
---- 7:50 - rolling speed is similar
---- 8:05 - more speed loss off rails
---- 8:23 - pockets play larger
---- 8:39 - CB persists on tangent line longer
---- 9:40 - follow shots stall off rails
---- 10:40 - rolling kick and bank shots go longer
---- 11:20 - balls throw less
---- 12:31 - miscue limit no different
---- 12:46 - not all spin lost on kick
---- 13:33 - shallow-angle follow scratch more likely
---- 13:51 - massé shots are more impressive
14:32 - Recommendations
16:31 - More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
 
dr_dave said:
FYI, I just posted a new video that discusses the WaxGate controversy following the recent $1M World Championship in Saudi Arabia. I break down example shots from the tournament, comparing typical and slick or waxed conditions. I also demonstrate all ball-reaction effects that are different with a waxed ball. Finally, I offer recommendations for changes that should be made to the game in response to move forward positively. Check it out:


Contents:
0:00 - Background
2:42 - Example Shots
5:00 - Fedor's Banana Carom Shot
6:52 - All Waxing Effects
---- 7:01 - draw is easier
---- 7:06 - sidespin reacts less
---- 7:50 - rolling speed is similar
---- 8:05 - more speed loss off rails
---- 8:23 - pockets play larger
---- 8:39 - CB persists on tangent line longer
---- 9:40 - follow shots stall off rails
---- 10:40 - rolling kick and bank shots go longer
---- 11:20 - balls throw less
---- 12:31 - miscue limit no different
---- 12:46 - not all spin lost on kick
---- 13:33 - shallow-angle follow scratch more likely
---- 13:51 - massé shots are more impressive
14:32 - Recommendations
16:31 - More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Isn't possible for the cloth to be that slick? The very first tournament I ever played in was on Valley's with brand new cloth, I shot a 3 rail kick in practice and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the cue ball curve off each of the 3 cushions. It didnt even land close to my target, I think I had to change my normal aim point by a diamond and a half.
 
Great video.

One correction: at one point you refer to a draw shot by eventual champion Carlo Biado, when it is clearly Chua at the table.

Also, most examples from the tournament were from the Chua-KPC match. If the conditions were slick in general, shouldn't more matches have unexpected CB action?
 
fastone371 said:
Isn't possible for the cloth to be that slick? ...
Click to expand...
There is cloth that is very slippery and stays that way.

I've played recently on a home table with year-old cloth where it was impossible to make many standard position shots because the spin wouldn't take on the cushions.

Years ago a local room had cloth on their GC3s that was both very slippery and fairly slow, which is a strange combination.

But neither of those cases was Simonis.
 
dr_dave said:
FYI, I just posted a new video that discusses the WaxGate controversy following the recent $1M World Championship in Saudi Arabia. I break down example shots from the tournament, comparing typical and slick or waxed conditions. I also demonstrate all ball-reaction effects that are different with a waxed ball. Finally, I offer recommendations for changes that should be made to the game in response to move forward positively. Check it out:


Contents:
0:00 - Background
2:42 - Example Shots
5:00 - Fedor's Banana Carom Shot
6:52 - All Waxing Effects
---- 7:01 - draw is easier
---- 7:06 - sidespin reacts less
---- 7:50 - rolling speed is similar
---- 8:05 - more speed loss off rails
---- 8:23 - pockets play larger
---- 8:39 - CB persists on tangent line longer
---- 9:40 - follow shots stall off rails
---- 10:40 - rolling kick and bank shots go longer
---- 11:20 - balls throw less
---- 12:31 - miscue limit no different
---- 12:46 - not all spin lost on kick
---- 13:33 - shallow-angle follow scratch more likely
---- 13:51 - massé shots are more impressive
14:32 - Recommendations
16:31 - More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Hey Doc, as always you bring valuable content to the conversation. I do wounder though what you think about the possibility of wax staying on a cue ball when the refs are cleaning them before every rack before the break? And why wouldn't a pro notice the wax on the ball before he took the shot? I mean they are always asking for the cue ball to be cleaned? I mean your playing a match and all of a sudden the cue ball starts getting shiny??
 
Rocket354 said:
Great video.
Click to expand...

Thanks. This one took a lot of time and work.


Rocket354 said:
One correction: at one point you refer to a draw shot by eventual champion Carlo Biado, when it is clearly Chua at the table.

Also, most examples from the tournament were from the Chua-KPC match. If the conditions were slick in general, shouldn't more matches have unexpected CB action?
Click to expand...

Several errors have already been found, as documented by the “CORRECTIONS” in the YouTube video description and pinned comment:
- at 1m00s: the example shots are from the Hanoi Open, not the World Championship
- at 4m13s: the draw shot was by Johann Chua, not Carlo Biado.
- at 5m05s: Fedor's shot was from this year (2025), not last year.
 
King T said:
Hey Doc, as always you bring valuable content to the conversation. I do wounder though what you think about the possibility of wax staying on a cue ball when the refs are cleaning them before every rack before the break? And why wouldn't a pro notice the wax on the ball before he took the shot? I mean they are always asking for the cue ball to be cleaned? I mean your playing a match and all of a sudden the cue ball starts getting shiny??
Click to expand...

As I pointed out in the video, waxes are fairly persistent on the CB and aren’t that noticeable (look or feel). Silicone spray is another story. It is very messy and can definitely be felt.
 
There can also be a significant difference in how the cue ball plays without wax being involved. If the cue ball is scuffed up and rough. using Aramith ball cleaner, which smooths the surface, will make draw a lot easier. That's without leaving anything on the surface of the ball.

If you're playing in unfamiliar conditions, such as a tournament, you need to check out both short and long draws to see how the equipment is working. Another good test is a follow shot that might get the "banana" action shown in the video, which kills the distance.
 
First question I did not see answered is it Illegal to WAX POOL BALLS? Is there written RULE AGAINST PRACTICE? Know we have a Mechanic Ball Cleaner in our POOL ROOM. Part of process is using a liquid to SHINE & CLEAN Pool Ball Sets. They defiantly are different post cleaning. But you improvise, adapt, and overcome and both parties playing are using the same ball set, so is cleaning and polishing maintenance, that make the balls initially slicker post clearing Illegal?
 
dr_dave said:
As I pointed out in the video, waxes are fairly persistent on the CB and aren’t that noticeable (look or feel). Silicone spray is another story. It is very messy and can definitely be felt.
Click to expand...

I understand and the video was excellent, But I haven't seen anybody in a video was the cue ball while we're all watching to determine how long it would take for the wax to dry?

Some of the fellas tried just for the heck of it and we had to wipe it on and off very deliberately not something that could be done during a match???
 
almost all pool rooms now clean their balls with some kind of cleaner which many or most have some silicone in them.
years back only some soap and water was used. no way could you see the kinds of draw you see regularly now.

and even in tournaments they must use a waxy or silicone product in their ball cleaners.

and just touching the cue ball with some silicone or wax will change they way it plays to some extent.
as well as doing object balls when racking.
 
It's very easy. Don't allow the players to touch the cue ball. On breaks and ball in hand the ref should place the ball for the player.

When I'm racking...I finish racking the ball before I give my opponent the cue ball. I don't want him to mess around with it. It also kills whatever pre-shot routine they have.
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
First question I did not see answered is it Illegal to WAX POOL BALLS? Is there written RULE AGAINST PRACTICE? Know we have a Mechanic Ball Cleaner in our POOL ROOM. Part of process is using a liquid to SHINE & CLEAN Pool Ball Sets. They defiantly are different post cleaning. But you improvise, adapt, and overcome and both parties playing are using the same ball set, so is cleaning and polishing maintenance, that make the balls initially slicker post clearing Illegal?
Click to expand...

I show and discuss the rule near the end of the video. See also: WPA Equipment Spec 16. You are not allowed to polish balls with a dedicated wax, but it is okay to use a pool ball cleaner that might have a small amount of wax in it.
 
Bob Jewett said:
There can also be a significant difference in how the cue ball plays without wax being involved. If the cue ball is scuffed up and rough. using Aramith ball cleaner, which smooths the surface, will make draw a lot easier. That's without leaving anything on the surface of the ball.

If you're playing in unfamiliar conditions, such as a tournament, you need to check out both short and long draws to see how the equipment is working. Another good test is a follow shot that might get the "banana" action shown in the video, which kills the distance.
Click to expand...

Bob,

Do you know if Aramith ball cleaner has any wax in it? The website says it has no silicone but says nothing (one way or another) about wax. Someone on FB got AI to say it has wax, but my gut says it’s just cleaner/polishing agents and no wax.
 
dr_dave said:
I show and discuss the rule near the end of the video. See also: WPA Equipment Spec 16. You are not allowed to polish balls with a dedicated wax, but it is okay to use a pool ball cleaner that might have a small amount of wax in it.
Click to expand...

The WPA press release cites unsportsmanlike conduct, which I agree applies. “Any intentional behaviour … that disrupts or changes the game to the extent that it cannot be played fairly.”
 
GideonF said:
Bob,

Do you know if Aramith ball cleaner has any wax in it? The website says it has no silicone but says nothing (one way or another) about wax. Someone on FB got AI to say it has wax, but my gut says it’s just cleaner/polishing agents and no wax.
Click to expand...
I think it has some petroleum of some kind in it but I don't know if it is waxy. I believe Dr. Dave's testing showed that it changed the playing characteristics very little compared to other things you can do to the surface of the ball.
 
I hope Aramith ball cleaner change their formula and add the more waxy substance. Ball will stay a lot cleaner. They don't do it because they want you to continue to buy their cleaner. The gloss on the ball wears away after a game.
 
billiards_watch said:
I hope Aramith ball cleaner change their formula and add the more waxy substance. Ball will stay a lot cleaner. They don't do it because they want you to continue to buy their cleaner. The gloss on the ball wears away after a game.
Click to expand...
After giving this whole polishing/waxing/slicking controversy further thought IMO it started from industry interference in the game. Back in the day, players didn’t even like playing with brand new balls. Taking care of your equipment is and has always been a thing and part of that is cleaning the balls but polishing… that was not a thing.soap and water is all we used. May father would have me use toothpaste of some of the balls and more on the cue ball because it would get the dirtiest. That was the extent of it.

Just like they’ve pushed jump cues which the industry has now normalized. Never mind professional players would have ditched those things long ago. Now the industry normalized not just cleaning but polishing. And once that caught on, they conveniently introduced “restore” products to counteract the damage polishing causes and if you know anything about the polishing process it’s probably highly unlikely that those restore products even do what they claim. It’s all part of a money making cycle: polishers, polish, restorers none of which were part of the game before the marketing kicked in. Now that it’s all normal that evolved into the players finding a way to emulate a new set of balls at any moment. I don’t think what it has evolved into actually came from them trying to cheat at first… maybe ever.

Now players can simulate a brand set anytime they want. But this shift wasn’t player driven it was industry market driven, shaping what people think the game “should” be, just like with jump cues.

Even in the NBA, when the league tried introducing new balls in games (likely under pressure from manufacturers), players pushed back… they hated them. That’s the difference: in pool, the industry says jump, and everyone jumps… pun intended!

People always think as humans beings we have “free will” but we don’t… monkey see monkey do. Industry and power have known that long ago.
 
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