Playing with 20 year old balls versus newer balls

[tomatoshooter]

Dirty balls have a lot higher coefficient of friction. This means more cling, throw, the cloth feels slower,...

When I get a match at the local pool hall, I let the opponent warm up and then ask him if I can clean the balls. After being cleaned, he can't make a simple shot--the angles change, the speed of the table changes, the bounce off the rails changes. Same balls, just a different surface--one near polished, the other covered with abrasive (chalk).

{Go figure}

The first time I cleaned my balls, shots were going in wild directions for a week.

 

[tomatoshooter]

I hate using old (worn out) balls. I feel it right away. Like there is more friction between the cue ball and object ball when they collide.

If you use the same set all the time sure you can get used to them but I like nice polished billiard balls myself. I usually bring me own balls to the hall

I got some new Aramith Premiums but I break out the old cheap never gets cleaned set sometimes.

 

[Fatboy]

I like my balls clean. Not juiced up and slippery. Those play funny. But clean balls play much more predictably than dirty ones do. No heavy contacts and not as many skids or scooches in dry conditions like Vegas.