The Bull Associated With Cushions; The Post Of All Important Posts; Need King Cobra?
OK, I spent over an hour using the search option to get as much info as possible about the best cushions to have on a table for play, and none of the postings were specific enough on this website. There does not seem to be a standard anywhere on the internet about what constitutes true professional play when the speed of the cushions is mentioned.
I have played at many pool spots here in Arizona. A place called Metro has rails so fast on their Brunswicks that the balls jump when contact is made, the balls speed up and shoot too fast up and down the rails, they rebound at odd inconsistent angles, and they limit control of the cue ball because they're just absurd. Another place called Main Street has these rails on their Gandy tables that are not quite as fast, but are still just too damned fast. The balls pick up speed after making contact with the rails and are bounced at strange angles which creates inaccuracy when playing typical shape or when banking balls.
At both of the aforementioned places you can do a 5 rail kick shot relatively easy compared to other places. Now, there is a 3rd place called Six Shooters which has rails that seem to play precisely the way rails should. The balls dont pick up speed, they rebound at perfect angles, the cue doesn't jump when contacting the cushion, and a 5 railer isn't too easy, you have to put some real mustard on it to make it work. Now these tables play the same as the tables at another place called Colby's. I've talked to many good local players, a couple who compete in or have competed in pro tournaments and they have all noticed the same thing.
Now the question is how exactly are pro rails (cushions) supposed to play? Obviously each of the poolhalls with those rediculously fast cushions suck because most good players will not play under those conditions. The other two places with the accurate rails which play good are chalked full of seasoned players who never complain about those specific conditions because they play good. So how are rails supposed to play? Which play exactly the way pro rails are supposed to play? I just purchased an AMF which resembles the Gold Crown III. My table will likely have the K-66 size cushions, but I have no clue which brand to get because they all likely play different. No one so far on the site has gone into specifics about the speed of cushions and how fast too fast is. When I have examined video from pro tournaments which use Brunswick, Oldhausen, and Diamond Tables, I've noticed all three play about the same with regard to the speed of the balls off the rails.
Is there a difference? A noticable difference? Which are the fastest or are too fast, which are the most consistent, which are supposed to be the "gold standard" for speed? I dont care about cost, I dont care about the reputation of the rails for how long they last before they break down because if I have to, I will replace the rails every 3 or 4 years, I dont care, as long as they play the way they should. Do I need a specific type of facing for the pockets, and do I need those pads behind the rails? how does that work?
Now I need someone to tell me what I need to get here. I will have the Simonis 860 cloth, the table is a 9 ft, the pockets will be double shimmed and not too big, I've got Aramith balls, so what type of rail do I need here?
I need specifics of why too, not amatuer rambling. Are there any experienced players or mechanics who know what I'm talking about here?
OK, I spent over an hour using the search option to get as much info as possible about the best cushions to have on a table for play, and none of the postings were specific enough on this website. There does not seem to be a standard anywhere on the internet about what constitutes true professional play when the speed of the cushions is mentioned.
I have played at many pool spots here in Arizona. A place called Metro has rails so fast on their Brunswicks that the balls jump when contact is made, the balls speed up and shoot too fast up and down the rails, they rebound at odd inconsistent angles, and they limit control of the cue ball because they're just absurd. Another place called Main Street has these rails on their Gandy tables that are not quite as fast, but are still just too damned fast. The balls pick up speed after making contact with the rails and are bounced at strange angles which creates inaccuracy when playing typical shape or when banking balls.
At both of the aforementioned places you can do a 5 rail kick shot relatively easy compared to other places. Now, there is a 3rd place called Six Shooters which has rails that seem to play precisely the way rails should. The balls dont pick up speed, they rebound at perfect angles, the cue doesn't jump when contacting the cushion, and a 5 railer isn't too easy, you have to put some real mustard on it to make it work. Now these tables play the same as the tables at another place called Colby's. I've talked to many good local players, a couple who compete in or have competed in pro tournaments and they have all noticed the same thing.
Now the question is how exactly are pro rails (cushions) supposed to play? Obviously each of the poolhalls with those rediculously fast cushions suck because most good players will not play under those conditions. The other two places with the accurate rails which play good are chalked full of seasoned players who never complain about those specific conditions because they play good. So how are rails supposed to play? Which play exactly the way pro rails are supposed to play? I just purchased an AMF which resembles the Gold Crown III. My table will likely have the K-66 size cushions, but I have no clue which brand to get because they all likely play different. No one so far on the site has gone into specifics about the speed of cushions and how fast too fast is. When I have examined video from pro tournaments which use Brunswick, Oldhausen, and Diamond Tables, I've noticed all three play about the same with regard to the speed of the balls off the rails.
Is there a difference? A noticable difference? Which are the fastest or are too fast, which are the most consistent, which are supposed to be the "gold standard" for speed? I dont care about cost, I dont care about the reputation of the rails for how long they last before they break down because if I have to, I will replace the rails every 3 or 4 years, I dont care, as long as they play the way they should. Do I need a specific type of facing for the pockets, and do I need those pads behind the rails? how does that work?Now I need someone to tell me what I need to get here. I will have the Simonis 860 cloth, the table is a 9 ft, the pockets will be double shimmed and not too big, I've got Aramith balls, so what type of rail do I need here?
I need specifics of why too, not amatuer rambling. Are there any experienced players or mechanics who know what I'm talking about here?
Last edited:
