IPT cloth?

[Pete]

What type of cloth did they use? I've played on Simonos cloth, Billiard cloth and stuff that is real nappy (at clubs like the Elks). Is this cloth special slow cloth?
Kevin T kept pointing it out so I was wondering. Because even at the Elks I can draw the ball full length and follow, I mean it's a little harder I gues but, to make it out that it make the game so much more difficult makes me wonder if it's a special type.

Pete

 

[Tablemechanic]

Cloth

They used a 21 oz. Mali wool cloth. Lots of nap, most likely 75% wool, 25% nylon. It is the same type of cloth they used on everything before Simonis got popular. You have to have a good stroke to play on this.

Steve

 

[mnShooter]

You have to have a good stroke to play on this.

Steve

I disagree. I used to have Mali cloth on my home table. It was terribly easy to play on because you didn't need any speed control. You need a more powerful stroke. IMO Powerful Stroke does not equal good stroke.

 

[Cane]

Mali? Hmmm... Don't know where I heard it, but I heard they used Granito for IPT.

Later,
Bob

 

[Andrew Manning]

I disagree. I used to have Mali cloth on my home table. It was terribly easy to play on because you didn't need any speed control. You need a more powerful stroke. IMO Powerful Stroke does not equal good stroke.

I've always thought the same thing about this. I find faster cloth much more difficult to play on, because you have to be more precise with your speed control. On slow cloth, a speed error that may have sent you a foot out of position on fast cloth may only send you a few inches out of position. I think in 8-ball there's very very rarely a shot that requires a lot of power. A lot of speed, maybe, but anyone can hit the ball fast. If you're playing smart, you shouldn't have to put extreme juice on the ball in 8-ball. I think the slow cloth should make the game easier.

-Andrew

 

[Jaden]

I've always thought the same thing about this. I find faster cloth much more difficult to play on, because you have to be more precise with your speed control. On slow cloth, a speed error that may have sent you a foot out of position on fast cloth may only send you a few inches out of position. I think in 8-ball there's very very rarely a shot that requires a lot of power. A lot of speed, maybe, but anyone can hit the ball fast. If you're playing smart, you shouldn't have to put extreme juice on the ball in 8-ball. I think the slow cloth should make the game easier.

-Andrew

It's easier for players who aren't good as good at speed control on faster cloth, it tends to level the playing field a little. More advanced players usually stroke softer, therefore to stroke harder they will be more likely to miss shots that require a strong stroke. Lesser players who have less control usually stroke harder, which means they are already used to stroking that hard and will think that it's easier to get where they want to with the CB because it won't over shoot their desired position as easy.

I learned how to play on slow nap cloth because the owner of my pool hall was cheap. lol. He would get 60/40 worsted cloth that was very slow. I had to get adjusted to simonis once I started playing on it down at Danny K's. Atleast I think they had simonis when I was playing there? Help please? mid 90's at Danny K's, simonis or smoething else?

 

[Str8PoolMan]

Six, one, half-dozen, another...

The argument over which cloth is harder to play on is really pointless. It's similar to the argument in golf about fast or slow greens. Most people think fast greens are harder to putt on. I actually prefer fast greens. I find it easier to adjust my speed control on them. It all depends upon what you are used to playing on. The slower nap cloth may be more difficult for the players in the beginning, but once they adjust to it, there will be little difference from the fast cloth.

Although, I still can't putt on slow greens.

 

[Tablemechanic]

Cloth

I did not say one or the other is harder to play on. I learned how to play on regular cloth. Regular cloth and worsted cloth play different. Balls come off the rails different. I feel you do need more of a stroke to play on regular cloth. I see so many players with bad strokes play good on Simonis. You can roll balls around and get away with it. With regular cloth you can not get away with that. Also shoting balls down the rails on Simonis you can get away with alot more because the ball will slide down the rail.

The one thing you must remember is that the cloth companies have not been sitting on thier asses for the last 20 years. The regular cloth is so much better now than it was 20 years ago. They are working to improve it all the time. The new regular cloth does not pil up half as much as it use to unless you get so really bad cloth. I have seen so much improvement over the last 5 years in regular cloth.

I get tired of hearing players complaining about every little thing. Just get up and play.

Steve

 

[mnShooter]

Steve,
Your probably right about the pockets and rails playing easier on Somonis. Maybe I didn't have Mali. It was probably some cheap imitation cause it would develop lint everywhere. I hated it.