IPT rule: slow nap cloth...

shoutout33

shoutout33

"The Emperor"
Silver Member
I wanted to know if anybody has played on slow nap cloth and is it that big of a difference from what we play on now? Also, does anyone have an idea of what poot table manufacturer might step up to the plate on this one? I'd like to see either Diamond, Brunswick, or Olhausen (sp) get the bid on this one.
 
I love it, damn ball rolls forever on 760 or 860 :D actually it doesn't make a difference to me at all, you always have to make adjustments from table to table with different rails, pockets, cloth...etc. that makes you a better player.
It can be harder to play on for some, you have to hit the ball slightly harder in certain situations to get position, which takes away some accuracy for some people, and the ball can roll funny sometimes. especially if it's not cared for, But the only reason I think it was a mistake to go with the slow nap, is most tables don't have it.

The best players will handle it fine, especially the players who use to play on it all the time.
 
What exactly is slow nap cloth? Is it the typical cloth that is put on bar tables? Or is it not that extreme in roughness?
 
iusedtoberich said:
What exactly is slow nap cloth? Is it the typical cloth that is put on bar tables? Or is it not that extreme in roughness?
Click to expand...

Depends, most bar cloth has more nap to it and some even have rubber backing. As for the tournament, the slower the cloth the better chance of balancing the game between players. You will see balls hit a little firmer. Fast cloth favors the stronger player.
 
The IPT's reasoning behind this (according to their website) is slower cloth means players with a more powerful stroke will do better, being able to move the cue ball further. I personally don't have much stock in this, any good pro can get as much draw and follow as would ever want to use in a serious game on most any kind of cloth. The only people who regularly shoot really extreme draw and follow shots are trick shot artists and 3C players. I also much prefer the reliable way the balls roll on good-quality napless cloths like Simonis 860.

However having said all that, professional Snooker is played (At least, how it is played everywhere but in the USA), on 12' tables with cloth with a nap so heavy it has to be ironed to keep it smooth. If you ever watch a Snooker tournement you can see the marks on the cloth made the same way as if you push your fingers through a thick carpet against the nap of the fibers. If heavy nap cloth is professionally installed and maintained it can play almost as evenly and accurately as a napless cloth, although it is more work to maintain properly.

NOTE - You should always iron a thick nap cloth in the same direction and parallel to the sides, from the head (Baulk line) to the foot. The directional nature of the nap actually has an effect on long slow shots with English (IE The curve will actually be altered depending on if you are shooting up or down the table) and good players account for this.
 
cloth

shoutout33 said:
I wanted to know if anybody has played on slow nap cloth and is it that big of a difference from what we play on now? Also, does anyone have an idea of what poot table manufacturer might step up to the plate on this one? I'd like to see either Diamond, Brunswick, or Olhausen (sp) get the bid on this one.
Click to expand...
Years back, that's all we had, was slower cloth. 19oz backed and unbacked up to 21oz..

As one well known touring Pro told me, the newer cloth make it easier to get out. He said, the slower cloth allows you to develope a better stroke. Now I'm not trying to start a war, but it's a fact, the cloth of today [760 and 860] lets you manuver easier, without developing your true stroke. Slower cloth and tighter pockets, and the cream will come to the top.
Kinda like playing on a humid cloth or a dry cloth. Lots of differance.
Many people feel the same way.

On another note, if Kevin likes slower cloth, so be it. It's his cash, and in my opinion, those who don't like it, well, don't play. I know Kevin personally, and when he goes at something, it's big and a hit. So please don't be hard on a guy who's putting his cash up. Just sit back, enjoy the good times coming soon.
blud
 
Last edited:
blud said:
As one well known touring Pro told me, the newer cloth make it easier to get out. He said, the slower cloth allows you to develope a better stroke. Now I'm not trying to start a war, but it's a fact, the cloth of today [760 and 860] lets you manuver easier, without developing your true stroke. Slower cloth and tighter pockets, and the cream will come to the top.
Kinda like playing on a humid cloth or a dry cloth. Lots of differance.
Many people feel the same way.

blud
Click to expand...
I'm not the most knowledgable person on the board but I completely agree. I grew up playing on simonis...it's what I learned on. Even when I played almost everyday & was "in stroke" my game on anything else but simonis changed (for the worse). There's a huge difference and I think simonis does quite a bit of work for you. IMHO.
 
I don't necessarily agree with these sentiments. It takes a much better stroke to control a softly hit shot then a firmer one. Personally, I'd much rather play on Simonis.
 
Timberly said:
I'm not the most knowledgable person on the board but I completely agree. I grew up playing on simonis...it's what I learned on. Even when I played almost everyday & was "in stroke" my game on anything else but simonis changed (for the worse). There's a huge difference and I think simonis does quite a bit of work for you. IMHO.
Click to expand...

Your right, but just think how much better you could be at controlling the cue ball if you learned on both and became proficient at both:) the slow nap will absolutely favor the better players. Fast cloth of today makes it much easier for the average player, that's why people like it.

That being said I think it would be nice for all pool rooms to have a few slow nap tables, I think it's a shame to cover everything in fast nap free worsted wool, Simonis 860 is fast enough but 760 is just crazy, why not play on the bare slate :D
 
thoffen said:
I don't necessarily agree with these sentiments. It takes a much better stroke to control a softly hit shot then a firmer one. Personally, I'd much rather play on Simonis.
Click to expand...

I think what we are saying is that the faster cloth favors the better player.
 
pete lafond said:
I think what we are saying is that the faster cloth favors the better player.
Click to expand...

I think you have that backwards, faster cloth makes it easier for the average player, slower nap cloth sometimes takes a much harder and better stroke to get position, the harder the hit the lower the accuracy.
 
SlimShafty said:
Your right, but just think how much better you could be at controlling the cue ball if you learned on both and became proficient at both:)
Click to expand...
Believe me, it crossed my mind everytime I played on it. Esp on the barboxes with the mud cb. LOL, I shudder to think what it would be like on a 9 ft with a mud ball. :eek: :eek:
 
Timberly said:
Believe me, it crossed my mind everytime I played on it. Esp on the barboxes with the mud cb. LOL, I shudder to think what it would be like on a 9 ft with a mud ball. :eek: :eek:
Click to expand...


Yeah your right, we could make whole thread on cue balls, I have seen so many different types, the worst I have ever seen was a cue ball that looked like the moon, with even more craters, honestly it was like the Flintstones. It was so light, and just flew off the table all the time. The owner would not replace it :D
 
SlimShafty said:
I think you have that backwards, faster cloth makes it easier for the average player, slower nap cloth sometimes takes a much harder and better stroke to get position, the harder the hit the lower the accuracy.
Click to expand...


Let me rephrase, as the cloth gets faster, the better player plays exponentially better than the average player.
 
Ok, but what if...

you want to learn how to play on slow nap to get ready for the IPT. First of all, is it still available? Is this something that has to be specially made now? Plus, aren't most pool hauls using the faster cloths? How would you get ready for it? I mean, I know if your on that level you can adjust, but there are a lot of new school cats who grew up on the fast stuff and MOST leagues, even the bar tables, I think are covered with fast nap as well right? So, even if I wanted to get ready for the tour I'd pretty much be SOL...wouldn't I? :confused:
 
SlimShafty said:
I think you have that backwards, faster cloth makes it easier for the average player, slower nap cloth sometimes takes a much harder and better stroke to get position, the harder the hit the lower the accuracy.
Click to expand...

I wholeheartedly agree. The fast table allows one to have a nice smooth, slow, soft stroke, with a precise hit on the CB. Once you try hitting the CB harder (which you have to do on a slow table) to get it to roll to where you want it to go it is very hard to be precise on the Cue to CB hit.

Our tables where I live have 760 and 860 but the rails are dead. The pool hall has 860 with live rails and now they recovered one table with Championship which is extremely fast. A "normal" three rail stroke goes 5 rails at least. Takes a while to get used to it.

Of course a pro will play like a pro no matter what the conditions. They just have that unique ability to adapt to the conditions.

Jake
 
jjinfla said:
I wholeheartedly agree. The fast table allows one to have a nice smooth, slow, soft stroke, with a precise hit on the CB. Once you try hitting the CB harder (which you have to do on a slow table) to get it to roll to where you want it to go it is very hard to be precise on the Cue to CB hit.

Our tables where I live have 760 and 860 but the rails are dead. The pool hall has 860 with live rails and now they recovered one table with Championship which is extremely fast. A "normal" three rail stroke goes 5 rails at least. Takes a while to get used to it.

Of course a pro will play like a pro no matter what the conditions. They just have that unique ability to adapt to the conditions.

Jake
Click to expand...

Do you feel that a pro would play no different no matter the nap?

I do know that I can play more shots more different ways the faster the nap. One example is that the speed off the rail alows me to lengthen the cue ball because I do not need to hit the ball as hard. In general, there are more shots available for the better player the faster the cloth. I think the average player would not ever execute or even be aware of these shots.
 
pete lafond said:
I do know that I can play more shots more different ways the faster the nap.
Click to expand...

I think this is a big point. There are some routes and postion plays that can be played on fast tables that you cant do on slow tables.

And while I agree the better players will have more of an advantage on fast tables because of being able to exacute more shots. I think better (more knowledgable) players can have an advantage going from fast to slow cloth as well. A better player understands that when going to a slow table you normally have to leave yourself a little more angle on the OB so you dont have to hammer the cueball to get the speed needed to go up or down table. They will also feel more comfortable pocketing the sharper cuts needed to play on this type of table.

Getting on the right side of the OB is even more important on slow tables because recovery routes are going to be that much harder to manage.

So simply put, the person with the best stroke and most knowledge has an advantage on either type of table. Who would have thunk it? :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top