Cyclop vs The Pros!

WiredSpace

WiredSpace
First player to figure out the Cyclop cue ball wins!

Been watching SVB, Ko and Thorston struggle. I love the Cyclop balls and have my own set. That said, adjusting to the Cyclop set (particularly the cue ball) can be a brutal process; especially on the fly.

I'm not creating excuses for anyone. Adjusting is what pros do better than everyone else. But this ball set hasn't been around long enough to develop "standard" adjustments. It's definitely unique.

Last time I saw this was at the USBTC and US 1-Pocket. It was even more challenging there because players were switching from Cyclop cue ball to Measles ball (USBTC used Cyclop cue ball, 1-Pocket used Measles ball).
 
I play in a bar league on diamonds with the Cyclops cue ball.
I thought something was different with the cue ball. I just can't figure out what it is.
And I play pretty good.
 
I play in a bar league on diamonds with the Cyclops cue ball.
I thought something was different with the cue ball. I just can't figure out what it is.
And I play pretty good.


I know exactly what you're talking about. As I was saying before, it's very unique. To me, the Cyclop cue ball 'plays' heavy and 'grabs' more.

I'm watching Orcullo vs Chang. Orcullo is winning but he's constantly recovering. He's semi-familiar with this ball but those unique differences continue to jump out when least expected (i.e. 9-10 combination he missed). Chang is simply on tilt with the cue ball so far.
 
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I have not had the opportunity to play with the Cyclop set yet. With that said, I fear the day I'm thrown into a match situation and have to figure out how they play on the fly. I should purchase a set, but then I'd just be adding to their supply and demand chain.

They may or may not be a superior product (time will tell), but I'm an Aramith (Duramith) fan. With that said, the Duramith balls do have some pitfalls to them and they are not perfect. They do get dirty pretty quick and that's probably why I polish them in the machine about every 3-6 hours of play.

Dopc.
 
I continue to watch these guys struggle. Ken and Bobby are even on tilt and NOBODY misses from the booth! lol...

But on a serious note, I'm kind of surprised that Ken hasn't suggested the Cyclop balls as being a factor in the player's sub par performances. Instead he continues to be "shocked" by their mistakes without any reasonable explanations. Maybe he's been instructed to avoid anything that might reflect badly on Cyclop, as they are one of the sponsors?
 
I wonder if Ken ever took a public speaking class. Or at least someone should tell him to put hits notes on something there than a yellow scratch pad so he doesn't have to flip pages while he's reading his script.


:::edit:::: Proven by what he just said without realizing the mic was hot......."any time I deviate from what I have memorized I get all screwed up"
 
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I continue to watch these guys struggle. Ken and Bobby are even on tilt and NOBODY misses from the booth! lol...

But on a serious note, I'm kind of surprised that Ken hasn't suggested the Cyclop balls as being a factor in the player's sub par performances. Instead he continues to be "shocked" by their mistakes without any reasonable explanations. Maybe he's been instructed to avoid anything that might reflect badly on Cyclop, as they are one of the sponsors?

They're not gonna blame the balls sponsor.
 
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I think it's the NEW ball syndrome.
New balls slip, then there is a period of inconsistency.
When they are completely broken in, I think they're a good ball.
 
Played with them at the super billiards expo. They didn't play any different then past years with super aramith pros. They were slick like all new balls on new cloth are but I didn't feel they rolled or played different. Cue ball felt the same as a red circle
 
i owned a set for a while and I didn't think any adjustment was required. I saw none of this so called extra skid people speak of either. Just wanted to play with the measles ball and have it match my set- thats the only reason I switched to ASP
 
my question is if they play so different then other balls.. Why the hell would you want to play with them at home? lol I don't want to have to adjust to something different when I go out to a bar or tournament some where. Our there that many places using the cyclops balls
 
I also have a cyclop set, super pros too and the cyclop cue ball does play a little heavy, but not to the point of confusion.

If I can adjust then the pros should have very little problem doing the same. Shot position has a margin for error, it isn't like they are measuring granules of meds.
 
I own Centennials and Super pros and have worn both sets out. My table cloth is kept clean but I believe that the outside finish on these high end sets will wear down mostly due to the abrasive nature of chalk. As this happens the surface of the ball gets rougher and collects more grime and chalk so they skid, and hang up in the pockets more.

The short term answer is to clean and polish them when this happens, but this action can also cause more of the finish to leave the surface making the balls collect more of the things that make them "not play well". For myself this cycle repeats itself with increased frequency as the balls get used more.

I am going to purchase a set of Cyclop balls in the next few weeks and see i how they play. I have read that them may have a harder surface then the Aramith sets so maybe they will stay cleaner longer.

Time will tell.

I will also measure and weigh the balls when brand new and report back.
 
Post

I own Centennials and Super pros and have worn both sets out. My table cloth is kept clean but I believe that the outside finish on these high end sets will wear down mostly due to the abrasive nature of chalk. As this happens the surface of the ball gets rougher and collects more grime and chalk so they skid, and hang up in the pockets more.

The short term answer is to clean and polish them when this happens, but this action can also cause more of the finish to leave the surface making the balls collect more of the things that make them "not play well". For myself this cycle repeats itself with increased frequency as the balls get used more.

I am going to purchase a set of Cyclop balls in the next few weeks and see i how they play. I have read that them may have a harder surface then the Aramith sets so maybe they will stay cleaner longer.

Time will tell.

I will also measure and weigh the balls when brand new and report back.
-


I suggest the aramith tournament ball set -Duramith-


Rob.M
 
Cyclop vs The Pros !

Also, the kind of chalk you use (depending on how gritty it is) can wear on the balls (and the felt !). I no longer use Master or Silver Cup and only use either Blue Diamond or Predator chalk. They don't "powder" and get the table dirty...FAST !
FYI
Wayne


I own Centennials and Super pros and have worn both sets out. My table cloth is kept clean but I believe that the outside finish on these high end sets will wear down mostly due to the abrasive nature of chalk. As this happens the surface of the ball gets rougher and collects more grime and chalk so they skid, and hang up in the pockets more.

The short term answer is to clean and polish them when this happens, but this action can also cause more of the finish to leave the surface making the balls collect more of the things that make them "not play well". For myself this cycle repeats itself with increased frequency as the balls get used more.

I am going to purchase a set of Cyclop balls in the next few weeks and see i how they play. I have read that them may have a harder surface then the Aramith sets so maybe they will stay cleaner longer.

Time will tell.

I will also measure and weigh the balls when brand new and report back.
 
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