Question for Pool Table Owners

9 Ball Fan

Darth Maximus
Silver Member
Why does Aramith have so many different Cue Balls?

I could understand them having a standard, high quality cue ball; and a measles cue ball.

What's their reasoning?

I have the Blue Logo model, btw.
 

Cadillac J

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm currently playing with Aramith Tournament TV Pro as my main billiard balls, but I have an older and newer sets as shown below:

Aramith Tournament TV Pro
Couldn't ask for anything more. I honestly don't even notice the red measles on the cue ball that so many seem to dislike.
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I believe these Aramiths are the set left by previous table owner left for me (would have originally been purchased in early- to mid-1990s), but I'm not totally sure as to the brand...but they look almost identical to what I have.
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Brunswick Centennials
From the very first time I laid eyes on them as a kid, my feelings have never changed in the past 25+ years. The were and still are the classiest billiard balls to exist, and hoped I would one day own a set...so when I saw a great deal I had to cop a set and haven't opened the box yet. Just too damn sexy.
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-Cadillac J
 

K2Kraze

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
How many Sets of Pool Balls have you purchased, and kept for use on your table?



....think it would seem strange to keep purchasing more sets.



However, I understand that some people Collect Pool Balls, and that's cool too.




Grab a seat, get comfortable for a minute or two and take a short stroll through KRazy territory.

“How many sets of Pool Balls have you purchased, and kept for use on your table?”

Ok...... you asked.

This whole thing started with my dear Dad. Pops.

I fondly remember the days leading up to me leaving for college and my father would talk about playing pool with me “on your table one day” and how we’d play every game we shared over the years - from my earliest childhood up to that very day. Pop didn’t make it to his 47th birthday - or get to see me have my own table. Things happen too fast sometimes. Seems like last year as I type this....

Those words above always make me smile - Pop always looked forward to the future. What could be and what would be. So that’s what I would do - fulfill the plans we had to play every game from those first formative years - and the hundred different games he showed me how to do play well. That was my start. And then I had a few ideas of my own

So, here are the ball sets that I’ve purchased TO PLAY (not collect) along with a word or two about why - so you’ll maybe understand. A stiff drink or two helps the understanding part....

Brunswick Centennials: the standard set served up in my small hometown poolroom. Elmer was the proprietor, which is what he called himself back then.

Aramith American Snooker: my favorite game to play as a kid on that 9’ Brunswick snooker table he had. Because the “kids” used the numbered snookers to start.

Aramith English Snooker: this is the set they’d give us when I played with Pop on the “good” snooker table. No numbers. It felt more important. Demanded better play that the “adults” were after.

Aramith Poker: this set no one ever played with - until Pop asked for them and showed me how to play (cards) on the table. The “old guys” caught on quick and then started to play poker pool every Sunday.

Hyatt Bicentennials: the ONLY ball set that be-speckled Elmer kept in its original shipping box - and only let his “best customers” play with. My Pop was one of his “best customers” so I was lucky to play those! They always left me feeling I was indeed one of Elmer’s special customers.

Aramith Baseball: one of my fondest games as a kid - so easy. Runs based on the value of the balls. Pop would play left handed to give me a chance. Now, 21-ball sets are my favorites to play.

Aramith Casino: this was actually the very first set of balls that I remember playing with when I was a wee lad. Except they were made up using the red snookers and some other yellow balls. So easy to see and play. Reds vs Yellows and the lone black ball. I loved that set. It was one of the first 3 coveted sets I ever purchased. A favorite to this day.

So, that’s HOW it started. I wanted to (always) play every game I used to play with my Pop. And specific balls were simply used for specific games. It was my normal. There was never “one or two set choices”. Even in my small town South Dakota. So I recreated that. In only 7 sets!

“Strange” is to play all kinds of games with one or two ball sets. That’s just downright silly.

And this is what that led to: (still not “collecting” yet - these were acquired to PLAY!)

Romanique IIs: if you saw them roll on the table under the bright lights you’d know why.

Bonus Ball 99: this was the predecessor to the recent Bonus Ball that so many folks dissed and joked about. But I’ll bet NONE of them played the actual game or with those balls. That’s too bad. They just don’t know what they’re missing.

....which led to the new era Bonus Ball set: but, of course. I received a unique set from Max Eberle as well as a signed version from JA.

Vigma Hearts: if you have a significant other that has any interest in playing, or when playing Mr & Mrs with another couple, I’d suggest you give these darlings a try.

Vigma Hot Pinks!: well, this was my crazy idea to entice my wife to play a bit more since she loves things that sparkle - and she loves pink. It worked. Never possible with any other set. These were special.

Cuemate Chess: made specifically for a specific game. Chess. On the baize. I love specialty games - especially those requiring unique strategies. Can’t play chess with any old ball set. Flew into Atlanta specifically to get these from the creator himself.

Crown Games Poker: because I have friends that wanted to play poker pool but didn’t care for the typical poker set. This one got their attention and many hours of hoot’in and hollerin have been played with these. Can’t do that with Cents.

Raschig Turniersatz: the incredible Raschig Tournament unnumbered 9-Ball set. To SEE them and to HEAR them play....you’d understand. The only way to treat guests that love to play 9-Ball.

Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals: this is a no-brainer for ANY sports fan. Play with these beauties during football season before kickoff to really get things started. Another great, easy and fun way to play numerous 8-Ball games with friends and family.

Aramith Crown Standards: the darling of 21st century ball sets IMHO. Great visibility. Perfect playability. Right near $100 new. Aramith perfection. Plus, our local 14.1 league uses these and most of my friends like playing with sets they use in tournaments and leagues. This is that set. I like to help keep my friends happy and playing their best.

Aramith Tournament TV Pro-Cup: IF you love to play or even watch snooker, you’d instantly recognize that THIS ball set is quite possibly the BEST colors ever put on a standard 15-ball set. The perfect pinks replace purples. Beauteous browns replace the mournful maroons. Stunning. The latest and greatest phenolic blend called Duramith. In a few words - there simply is nothing better. A must-have. This is your chance to imagine playing on television.

Budweiser Red Stripe: for my regular Pals & Pool nights when I serve up the best BBQ Texas has to offer pre-game. And one night the boys requested Bud. So I obliged and served up Bud. Budweiser balls. Playing with a special, unique ball set with special friends on special occasions makes it even more special, doesn’t it? What other reason does one need to have? Otherwise it’s “just pool”. Not so when I pull these out.

Vigma Russian Deluxe: playing with a colored cue ball and beautiful white numbered balls quickly separates the men from boys - or put another way, separates those with excuses from those with talents. Unique balls for playing numerous unique games. My friend Tony makes the white balls. He’s “not used to it” and so on. “Tony, you’re not ‘used to’ shooting well, either. Now shush and shoot!”

There you have it. I set out to cap my “playing sets” at about 21.....which was well before anyone accused me of being a collector. A collector collects for many reasons, but a player that just so happens to have a few hundred sets of cool balls and plays with each and every one of those balls is now a collector? Au, contraire my fine friends of phenolic fans... I’m a PLAYER that so happens to have a collection of fun sets. I’m merely a man that finds it quite strange to play the same games with the same balls. Life is short. And if I can afford to have a pool table and a few custom cues as well as the home and cars and all the other miscellany in life, then I can certainly have more than two silly sets of spheres to shoot with strangers soon to be swayed to a new way to play the grand games.

One or two sets. Surely you jest.

You asked

~ K.
 

robertod

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
3 sets, 2 centennials (one TV colors) and one Aramith Super pro, with my game I can't tell the difference. I will clean them all at the same time. Use one set until they get a little too dirty and then go on to another set.
 

Gunn_Slinger

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
If you use a ball cleaner, whatever set you use will wear after a time. About every six months or so, I weigh the set and measure with calipers. All pool ball sets will wear and become smaller than standard. The pool rooms in my area have sets that are very worn. The CB and the 1 ball wear the fastest. Compare the 1 ball to the 15 ball and you can see the difference on sets that have been in service of 2-5 years.
I try to practice with what I play with in the local rooms. I have 2 sets of centennials , one new and one 7-8 years old. They play very different. I have a number of CBs from new to old and different styles. I have 3 red circles that ALL weigh different ! I have 4 blue circles that ALL weigh different. I have a knockoff measles ball and an aramith pro cup ball that play different from each other ( I prefer the knockoff ball ).
So, its whatever helps your game .
Good luck
 

jrctherake

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I like all the top tier cents and aramith ball just fine for rotation type games or any game where the balls can be replaced with out being a foul.

However, for 14.1, I like cyclop balls. Cents and Aramith balls start to play a little sticky around 6 or 7 racks into it and IMO, stand more chances of error. Sometimes even sooner depending on weather, room and table conditions.

I used to not think it made a difference until recently.

When someone matches or beats cyclop performance, I may switch.

Jeff

Ok, someone ask through pm if it mattered even if your average run is 10, 20 or 30?

My answer:

What matters is not "just" your high run per inning but, how many times will the rack in general get broke, moved about the table and then pocketed before the balls can be cleaned.

So, you dont have to be a 100 ball runner or even a 50 ball runner to have the need for balls that stay cleaner (slicker) longer.

If you average even less than 14 balls per inning during practice, well, if you practice for 3 or 4 hours straight, the balls will be in same shape as someone on a 400 to 500 ball run unless you stop and clean the balls ever so often.

So, if you stop and clean balls, it don't matter what set you use as long as they meet specs of weight/size.

But, if dont stop and clean, well, your playing experience will deteriorate after a certain number of racks, especially on the breaks....Lol....and everyone knows the break shot and how the balls open doesn't matter in 14.1.....lol....yeah, right.

Get the balls that will stay slick the longest or clean them more often.

Then again, if you ever run a bunch of balls and realize:

Hey, the balls aren't spreading the way they were 5 racks ago, well.....your screwed unless you gotzzz a reeeal high gear.

Thats been my experience.

One of my best runs ended because a few of the OBs had smudge marks all over them and the rack didn't spread at all.

Dont know what games your best at or if you'll ever get serious with 14.1 but, just in case you do, get the balls that are the hardest material and stay slicker longer. You can thank me later.

Jeff
 

ChrisinNC

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The Vigma Diamond and Vigma ZigZag balls are both really unique and sharp looking sets! Do they play as good as they look?
 

Black-Balled

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Used to have Aramith pro cups and Centennials.

Got a set of cyclop skittle balls.

Play just the same but don't need to be cleaned all the time.

Got rid of the Aramith and the Centennials and got two more sets of cyclop

TV balls with the pink 4 and the brown 7 and a regular colored set.

I clean them about once a month and rotate another set onto the table to keep life fresh.

JC
Then you will understand my happy anticipation...

I put the cyclop set away for about a year and used the super pros, just to see if my happiness with the cyclop set was justified.

My year is over. Next time I play, it will be back to cyclop.
 

9ball5032

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Had a cheap set in the 90s. They got dirty fast after using an abrasive cloth to clean them.
Now I have 2 sets of Aramith Premiums, one for the house and one goes to the pool room in an Aramith case.
 

Banger

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
One set of Aramith Duramiths. Not sure what I would do with another set of balls, as a single set seems to be plenty for the games I tend to play.

I do understand those who end up with many different sets, though, as I sometimes end up multiples of other various things, and most of the time, they never really get used. :confused:
 

jtaylor996

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
3 sets, 2 centennials (one TV colors) and one Aramith Super pro, with my game I can't tell the difference. I will clean them all at the same time. Use one set until they get a little too dirty and then go on to another set.

Of course you can't tell them apart... those are all identical other than the color and decoration. Super pro and centennial are the same material and finish level from the same factory.
 

ChrisinNC

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Why does Aramith have so many different Cue Balls?

I could understand them having a standard, high quality cue ball; and a measles cue ball.

What's their reasoning?

I have the Blue Logo model, btw.
Likewise, I have no clue why Aramith choses to offer so many different cue balls - measle, red logo, black logo w circle around it, blue logo, and red circle, not to mention their blue dot, red dot and plain white cue ball at the lower price points than the first five mentioned above.

I'm particularly confused why they now send the black logo w circle around it cue ball as standard with the Aramith Duramith Tournament set, but I can't find anywhere that sells this cue ball separately as a replacement.
 

AtLarge

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
Silver Member
... I'm particularly confused why they now send the black logo w circle around it cue ball as standard with the Aramith Duramith Tournament set, but I can't find anywhere that sells this cue ball separately as a replacement.

I imagine it's their Duramith technology, like the other balls in the set, whereas their other cue balls are not. But you're right that it would be nice to be able to buy that cue ball separately, too.
 

mrpiper

Registered
1 Set Brunswick Centennial
1 Set Arcos II
1 Set Tournament Black
3 Sets 29 Color Set (Mix and match to form DOZENS of combination sets for many games including Snooker)
1 Set "Scrabble"
1 Set Elephant Standard (And Baseball Add On Set from Canada Billiards)
1 Set of 15 assorted interesting 8 Balls
1 Set of 2" AC/DC Band Pool Balls
1 Set Elephant Beautiful (and they are)
1 Set Aramith Disney Red / Yellow Mickey and Goofy 8 Ball
1 Set Novelty Aramith "Royal Card Games" set
1 Set Vigma CUEMATE Chess Pool Set
1 Set Vigma Red White and Blue / Stars and Stripes

2 Red Dot Aramith Cue Balls
1 Measle Areamith Cue ball
1 Blue Dot (Came with Centennials)
1 Elephant Cue ball

I keep all the cue balls cleaned and change out every couple of playing hours or as needed.

I rotate between the Centennial and Elephant every couple of months and clean the other set.

If anyone would like to buy a really nice set of Disney 8 ball with a "Mickey" cue and 8 ball in red and yellow, my set has been played less than a dozen times. I bought them in hopes of my daughter enjoying the game and she never had any interest. They are 20 years old and i still have the original box and they are in "new old stock" condition. Don't even know what they are worth but I'm sure we could work something out.
 
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Dan_B

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
Silver Member
well,
a properly built table can handle all games with 2 1/8 with acceptable results and 2 1/4 for the maximum pleasure of 4Ball and snooker with giving all the other games the needed thrill to be sustainable. That dynasphere rotor has a more lively response than the aramiths premiums, so witnessed.
looking to get the centennial looking Ultra C.
 

Geosnookery

Well-known member
I have about 25 sets. I get them at the local thrift store along with cues, etc. Usually $10 a set regardless of brand, condition.

I don’t Play with a given set of Snooker or American pool balls. I change out every so often. This helps simulate conditions with unfamiliar balls when playing away from home. If friends over, I’ll use tournament Aramiths Snooker or Pool balls depending if we are playing on the Snooker or Pool table.

We make up a lot own games so we use a variety of size balks. One is using 4 sets of balls on the Snooker table. Begins like playing on a bar box and ends with sharp shooting as in Snooker. I mark all balls with a non visible phosphorous tag and use a special light so I can match up sets.
 

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ChrisinNC

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
How many Sets of Pool Balls have you purchased, and kept for use on your table?

I have 2 sets at the moment, and think it would seem strange to keep purchasing more sets. I have Aramith Premium, and Elephant brand "Beautiful Balls"

However, I understand that some people Collect Pool Balls, and that's cool too.
Just depends what you are happiest with. The elephant balls would never leave the box and I would give them to someone who would appreciate and use them, or use them when you have company of recreational non-pool players who might think they are unique. I will readily admit I am a pool snob!
 
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