Reading a Table

[BRKNRUN]

I don't recall seeing a thread that discussed this topic, so I thought I would start one.

I have my own perception, but I would like to see what others think.

What role does climate play on the way a table plays?

• What role does temp. play?
• What about humidity?
• Does temp. and humidity factor together or separately?
• Do these factors play a role in just speed, or do they factor in bank angles?
• Does all cloth have the same reaction to climate?
• How do you read a table you have never played on before?

I am also curious of the effects of a heater on a table. Living in Phoenix, I though they were only used on billiard tables.

My recent trip to a cold climate town showed me that was a wrong perception....What I did notice was that it caused the cloth to have a seemingly wet appearance.....almost like condensation was forming on the top of the cloth...

Anyway I threw out a few of the obvious questions...If you would like to add related questions........feel free.

Curious to see the responses, and methods used to read tables.... (except for the hit a milion balls method) ...I already know that one...

 

[PoolFool]

I think this is a very good question for starters. My answer is yes climate and humidity affects a pool table tremendously. For example, billiard tables are heated for a purpose. I guess it would account for keeping any moisture off the cloth for starters. Humidity is the table cloths worst enemy. It creates friction and therefore makes the cloth sluggish and as a result, the balls do not respond well. In humid weather you'll have to hit a soft shot with more speed to get the desired affect; especially when it comes to a long draw shot. Everything occurs in a domino affect. The harder the have to hit the balls on a bank shot the more you cut down on the angles. Also, the rubber in the rails start to act spongee(if that's even a word) and in turn makes them inconsistent; which makes it harder to read bank shots. I would think that all cloth reacts differently to moisture. Some may become really sluggish while others will not. But the bottom line is that humidity slows down the speed of every table.

Unfortunately, the only way to learn how to "read" a tables speed is to play on it. Everyone needs to learn to adjust to a new table and learn it's speed. Some people just happen to adjust faster than others when it comes to that area.

I wouldn't recommend heating a pool table. It seems a bit overkill to me because cue ball control would seem very difficult to judge. I would instead invest in a dehumidifier to remove any moisture from the table and to always keep the table covered when not in use.

 

[ridewiththewind]

I have to agree on the temp and humidity thing. My table is out in our shop, upstairs in the 'game room'. The table is ALWAYS covered when not in use, but his does not protect it from condensation....it actually promotes it. Because it's an building that is not always heated, the slate itself gets very cold, and holds it.

We have to make sure that before we start a fire in the wood stove, that the table is uncovered. If not, as the ambient temperature of the room rises, the slate takes longer to bring to room temp, and if the cover is left on, condensation will form between the table and the cover. We never play on the table for an hour after the fire is started.....it is incredibly sluggish. Not only is the slate cold, but so are the balls. Our rule of thumb is....if the balls are no longer fogging, the table is ready to play...Lol.

I absolutely hate to play at the poolhall or any tavern right after they first open for the day, in the winter, or when it's damp outside. It's the same thing....the tables need to come to room temperature in order to play properly....otherwise the rails are dead and the cloth slow.

Reading the table......I try to get to where ever I am playing at least an hour before I am due to play. This way I can get in a practice game or two, and see how the table is playing, (fast or slow), and if there are any rolls along the rails. I usually only need a few minutes to tell how a table is playing to make any adjustments. I remember playing one league night and I had not a chance to play the table....I just jumped in. I adjusted immediately, I guess. The rest of my team kept complaining how crappy the table was playing.....I finally told them to shush, as I was playing it pretty damn well.......got a table run out of it...Lol.

Lisa