Is It Easier On New Cloth?

D

DrCue'sProtege

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
ok, its my understanding that pretty much all big time professional tournaments are played on new cloth, with Simonis 860 being the standard. plus they also use new balls, and they are cleaned after every round i believe.

its my observation that shots are much easier to play on new cloth as opposed to older, more worn cloth. for example, i have a somewhat difficult time with the longer draw shot, but when i have new cloth installed, or just "polished" the cue ball, this shot is easier to accomplish. i would suppose that you dont have to put as much effort into this shot with the new cloth and polished cue ball, therefore you are more likely to hit the cueball where you want.

you other posters agree?
i saw Vivian make a long draw shot in Peoria, and thought she made it look pretty easy. but i also realize that if i would have been playing on that table i could have done it also - at least i hope.

maybe i'll go home and polish my cue balls.
DCP
 
Nobody will argue with you that it's easier to perform long-position shots with new cloth. However, that doesn't always make the game easier. It is true, balls will "slide" in with greater frequency and if you could draw the ball 1.5 table lengths before the new cloth was installed, you'll think you've been possessed by Buddy Hall with the new stuff.

On the otherhand, most of pool is about position and don't let anybody tell you differently. The key, the real core of solid position play is predictability. You want to know that if you hit the cueball with a certain speed and a certain spin that it will land in a certain region. That's pretty much all there is to it. Whenever an unaccustomed element is introduced, it makes the game tougher. Cloth is a huge factor and if a player hasn't practiced on new cloth at all in recent weeks, they could be in for a rather unpleasant experience. In fact, most players who play at the television table will often complain that the additional lighting speeds up the cloth and throws off their game.

The condition of the cloth should always be factored in. The best way to sum it up is that new cloth leaves room for greater possibilities but it does not necessarily make the game easier. There are certain shots that simply don't exist on a two-year-old rug. On the otherhand, amendments to the common physics of pool need to be made for new cloth, some of these you may not have planned for when executing a shot. A thought to keep in mind, many of the great runs made by the legends of the game were NOT done on Simonis cloth or even fast cloth for that matter. Knowing your condiitions and being able to take advantage of them are the keys to success.


Jude M. Rosenstock
 
Polished cueballs helps. I have Mali cloth and if I hit the Rock just right I get draw out the ying yang. I play at the hall on older Simonis cloth And If I hit the shot just right I get even more draw out the ying yang. Simonis even if worn is better than Mali from my experience. I have a post on this.. I am apparently pulling up somehow on my stroke. I aim at 6.00 o'clock but when I check the cue ball in this case the stripped 9 I am hitting it up 1/4 inch of where I think I am hitting it. Thats a mouthful. :D
 
Sure draw shots are easier but as mentioned it doesn't necessarly make the game easier. For us that only play on new cloth when the pool room recovers it's a different story. New cloth makes shots easier because the cloth is slick. Less than a perfect hit easily pockets balls.

The bad part for those not so talented is making long draw shots on old cloth. They are forced to shoot the shot somewhat harder because friction will deplete low english faster. Because of the extra force needed fundamental mistakes can happen. Everyone has limitations, the sooner you recognize yours, you'll stop making unforced errors.

Rod
 
Rodd said:
...For us that only play on new cloth when the pool room recovers it's a different story. ...
Click to expand...

I've always suspected that a major advantage that touring pros had was that they were playing all the time on new cloth. While the cloth does change some in the first days of the tournament, it must be a big help to them to get to play on the new stuff all the time. Also, they would be used to seeing the rapid change as the slide wears off.
 
Our pool hall recently re-clothed(so far) two tables, installed new rails and shimmed the pockets to make them tighter. Right now the table isn't playing tight at all. Balls hit down the rail can skim the rail and still go in. This happens because(as earlier mentioned) they slide off the rail.

In time humidity (dirt, wear and tear) will find it's way into the rails and they won't be so forgiving. Balls that used to slide and skim the rails will grip and rattle in the corner pockets if not hit with accuracy.

I absoulutley LOVE our reconditioned tables. The rails are so lively and the cloth so consistent. With the new rails and cloth, I can almost draw the cue ball two full lenghts, something I couldn't do before.

Yes I think new tables definitley help the pros. RJ

then again, those pros can play good on anything.....
 
Yes, new cloth requires some adjustments in speed and angle, but experienced players know how to make those adjustments. Over and above the fact that the pockets accept jst about everything, ever notice how strong your break gets on new cloth, with the balls flying all over the place and the pockets playing so loose?

On average, playing on new cloth and new rails is much, much, much, much, much, much, easier than all other playing conditions.
 
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