Regarding Diamond 3/16" Pocket Facings

ChrisinNC

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Does Diamond elect to use 3/16" black neoprene pocket facings on all their tables because they have determined that 3/16" thick facings result in what they feel is the "optimum bounce" an object ball will have when striking the pocket facings?

Common sense would presume that using 1/8" facings on the end of any cushions would be preferable to allow less "dead cushion" hits outside of the mouth of the pocket by the cue ball and object balls during play. I can only assume that the Diamond experts / fitters must have concluded that using 1/8" facings results in the facings having too much bounce, which makes balls rattle more easily, resulting in the pockets playing tighter/tougher and not as they are meant to play?

Opinions?
 
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IMO it is the springy Artemis cushions that create the condition. When a ball hits the last portion of cushion before the wood rail the cushion cups a deflects the ball across the pocket shelf.

It is challenging to say the least because it forces you to hit balls softer and play better position. This to me is why Diamonds are such a great table because of how tough they play.
 
I suspect the main reason they are using the 3/16" facings are to better protect the end of the sub rails and feather strips.
 
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