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.