The importance of clean cloth

Straightpool_99

Straightpool_99

I see dead balls
Silver Member
My current poolhall have tables that are played on constantly for about 14 hours a day, yet they very rarely vacuum the cloth. Being a snooker player as well as a pool player, I'm actually used to brushing and using "blocks" the cloth before each use ib the snooker table. On a pool cloth you need to vacuum it as well, and using "blocks" is not necessary (it's for pulling the nap in the right direction). Yet it's kind of awkward to even start with the vacuum, making noise in the busy hall, so I don't. Also the brush is usually nowhere to be found. I'll probably have to start bringing my own. It's really strange, in snooker, the more serious the place is, the better the tables are kept, but in pool this is not necessarily the case. I guess the employees feel that it's hopeless since the volume of play is so high? In my snooker hall, at the very least you'll get a nasty look if you don't clean the table up after you play (the players themselves are expected to do this), and repeated offenders will be told to get their act together. It's a matter of courtesy and respect for the game and it's equipment.

The quality of play is really going downhill for everyone playing, there are tons of kicks and the cueball does not hold on to spin as long as it should. It's killing my straightpool runs! Yes, really! You won't believe how many runs get prematurely ended by a nasty kick, or balls that won't break apart etc. Yesterday a really high run ended for a friend of mine when he hit a huge clump of chalk with a slow roller. I mean dust is one thing, but there are gravel sized lumps on some of the tables. Of course the bangers that play, chalking the cue over the table are usually to blame. The situation is just gettting stupid, now.

I kind of got reminded in a different thread, watching an old video of delayed cueball action on a draw shot. With all the chalk on the cloth, that kind of action is getting a lot harder to accomplish. Of course the cloth should have been changed, as well, but that would be more tolerable if it was at least clean. It's so bloody annoying how one little detail like that could have a massive negative effect on the quality of play. Not to speak of hand cleanliness! My hands look like a coal miners face after just one hour of play. This has gone on long enough, I'm going to the management with this, as should you, if your hall is like this! If it comes to it, I'll bring my own "kit" with me to the hall, balls, gloves, brushes and a mini-vacuum. I'm going full OCD on this joint! Heck, I'll have to start wearing a face mask soon, if the tables get any dirtier.

I bet there are lots of you who don't understand how important this small thing (clean cloth) is. In finesse games like straightpool and one pocket these things can actually have a very big impact and occationally the nineballers will get bitten too.
 
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It's of utmost importance to carom games

The cloth is either vacuumed for wiped down after each match to ensure conditions are maintained for the upmost of finesse shots

Balls are also changed out for a clean set after each match

A certain amount of chalk on the ball makes certain shots much more difficult if not unplayable
 
beneath_the_sur said:
It's of utmost importance to carom games

The cloth is either vacuumed for wiped down after each match to ensure conditions are maintained for the upmost of finesse shots

Balls are also changed out for a clean set after each match

A certain amount of chalk on the ball makes certain shots much more difficult if not unplayable
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Both carom and snooker players seem to respect the table and cloth more than pool players, in my experience.

Pool players sometimes take pride in their ignorance "whatever, I just play, I don't care about such things". Well, they should, and they would, if they only knew.
 
Straightpool_99 said:
Agreed.

Both carom and snooker players seem to respect the table and cloth more than pool players, in my experience.

Pool players sometimes take pride in their ignorance "whatever, I just play, I don't care about such things". Well, they should, and they would, if they only knew.
Click to expand...


Said perfectly, why do Pool games create such attitudes?

And your right I don't ever see Pool Table clothes vacuumed or wiped, you can tell by the look

Diamonds or goldcrowns they just don't do it
 
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Watch how the guys play in the Philippines. Most of those places are not cleaning the cloth it is probably moist and dirty as can be. I'd agree that the snooker players may show more respect but I don't agree that the dirty conditions have to affect your play, unless you let it.
 
Then you haven't seen the incredible finesse of 3 cushion or balkline, or 1 cushion in person

Ya it's dirty there, but if you hit it hard enough, well enough, it just has to drop in a hole that's almost twice the size of the ball

Completely different in carom,

The air quality even has a say in how it playe
 
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Sure, it's great to play on clean cloth, polished balls... I hate having to wash my palm and fingers of blue chalk every time I play. But these are the conditions we face, and we adjust our game accordingly. It's why you see pros and better players choose the firm option over rolling whenever possible - it takes some of the effect of dirty cloth and balls out of play.

It's just as annoying to hear an opponent whine about how the cloth and balls are kept, especially when they're not playing well. I tell them, "It doesn't bother me" as I pocket a ball, and move on.

See, in the Philippines, they don't experience some of the "first world problems" we face here. Some places have no air conditioning, just fans. And it gets hot and humid seemingly every day. Forget the table - just think what that humidity does to the chalk. I'm sure for many aspiring players there, it took quite a while to get their own, decent, cue. So they learn to play under such conditions.

Some people have their own table, with 1-piece not 3-piece slate, their own ball polisher, and a high end cue, in a climate-controlled room. Probably have a case of that "pre-flag" chalk or whatever as well. They learn to play under such conditions.

Regardless of which situation you're in, or somewhere in between, you are a product of your environment, and your playing will reflect that. But you have to adapt to the environment you are playing at, or you'll wither away.
 
If you can't play in different conditions you better just stay on your home table and be a basement hero.
 
beneath_the_sur said:
Said perfectly, why do Pool games create such attitudes?
Click to expand...

Straightpool_99: I can literally feel your frustration. We have to deal with uncontrollable cushions...

Because most pool players are idiots and ball bangers. Pool halls adjust accordingly and just want to get "mass money", not "finesse money" (better and regular players).

You can very well see it from the replies here :eek:
No other discipline is treating its equipment so careless as pool (players).

It also has to do with respect for things and people. Both runs low in pool.

Vacuuming and brushing the table at least once per day should be the norm and doesn't take that much time.
I bring my own set of balls because I can clean them accordingly.

Cheers,
M
 
I'll post some photos of Blue Fin Billiards in Fresno.

Tommy Hill is covering all the tables in Simonis 760 Tournament Blue.

The 9' ft tables are being tackled right now and the front row looks spectacular.

Table 3 was double shimmed really tight for a practice table and the pockets do
not even measure 4 & 3/8"....just a bit under. The table rails are getting new
rubber and are getting vacuumed every two days or when needed if dirty. There
are cordless vacuums available if a table needs to be cleaned but the main work
is done with Dirt Devils and even Shop Vacs when needed. The pool balls are
cleaned regularly using Ballstar machines & you're also provided with decent chalk.

Tommy built a repair shop right in the pool hall and can replace tips even during a
tournament. A local player damaged his last month during a Saturday tournament
while practicing before it started. Tommy replaces the tip and Daniel Campos goes
on to win the event with the new tip. He repairs shafts. covers tables (obviously) and
sells higher end cues at Blue fin Billiards.

The florescent lights are being replaced with LEDs and all the 7' tables have been
done. Covering the tables has interrupted tackling all of the 9' tables but those are
also being replaced. Tommy's weekly tournaments have really become popular and
even drew 32 players on Christmas Day. He tries to hold tournaments every night
and a popular one has become Midnight Madness that starts at midnight on Fridays.

It is a big pool hall and the bathrooms have been remodeled , sound system upgraded.
plans for a full kitchen expansion are underway, new furniture and wall coverings. Heck,
the joint is turning into a superb pool hall because of Tommy & Samantha Hill's efforts.

If ever in Fresno, be sure to stop by Blue Fin Billiards. There's always a game to be had.
 
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I see it as more of a management/employee "thing" myself. Some places it's mgmt letting employees know what's expected of them and making sure that it's done., Others, it's employees taking pride in the equipment that they're paid to oversee. Then there are other places where it's mgmt/employees not having a clue about what needs to be done. Maybe a friendly chat with the employee(s) or mgmt would help.

Good Luck,
Keith
 
Straightpool_99 said:
My current poolhall have tables that are played on constantly for about 14 hours a day, yet they very rarely vacuum the cloth. Being a snooker player as well as a pool player, I'm actually used to brushing and using "blocks" the cloth before each use ib the snooker table. On a pool cloth you need to vacuum it as well, and using "blocks" is not necessary (it's for pulling the nap in the right direction). Yet it's kind of awkward to even start with the vacuum, making noise in the busy hall, so I don't. Also the brush is usually nowhere to be found. I'll probably have to start bringing my own. It's really strange, in snooker, the more serious the place is, the better the tables are kept, but in pool this is not necessarily the case. I guess the employees feel that it's hopeless since the volume of play is so high? In my snooker hall, at the very least you'll get a nasty look if you don't clean the table up after you play (the players themselves are expected to do this), and repeated offenders will be told to get their act together. It's a matter of courtesy and respect for the game and it's equipment.

The quality of play is really going downhill for everyone playing, there are tons of kicks and the cueball does not hold on to spin as long as it should. It's killing my straightpool runs! Yes, really! You won't believe how many runs get prematurely ended by a nasty kick, or balls that won't break apart etc. Yesterday a really high run ended for a friend of mine when he hit a huge clump of chalk with a slow roller. I mean dust is one thing, but there are gravel sized lumps on some of the tables. Of course the bangers that play, chalking the cue over the table are usually to blame. The situation is just gettting stupid, now.

I kind of got reminded in a different thread, watching an old video of delayed cueball action on a draw shot. With all the chalk on the cloth, that kind of action is getting a lot harder to accomplish. Of course the cloth should have been changed, as well, but that would be more tolerable if it was at least clean. It's so bloody annoying how one little detail like that could have a massive negative effect on the quality of play. Not to speak of hand cleanliness! My hands look like a coal miners face after just one hour of play. This has gone on long enough, I'm going to the management with this, as should you, if your hall is like this! If it comes to it, I'll bring my own "kit" with me to the hall, balls, gloves, brushes and a mini-vacuum. I'm going full OCD on this joint! Heck, I'll have to start wearing a face mask soon, if the tables get any dirtier.

I bet there are lots of you who don't understand how important this small thing (clean cloth) is. In finesse games like straightpool and one pocket these things can actually have a very big impact and occationally the nineballers will get bitten too.
Click to expand...

Of course everything you say is spot on. There is a huge difference in attitude about table maintenance between pool and billiards (and I take your word for snooker). I see it in the senior center where I play , where the billiard players keep the billiard equipment as well as possible while the pool players, with few exceptions, couldn't seem to care less.

But a practical suggestion might be to get one of the Simonis X-1 cleaners and bring it with you to the hall. You can quietly clean your table before you play, and while it won't be ideal, because there is probably too much neglect to correct in one cleaning, it should improve your experience. Simonis recommends its use instead of vacuuming and brushing.
 
beneath_the_sur said:
Said perfectly, why do Pool games create such attitudes?

And your right I don't ever see Pool Table clothes vacuumed or wiped, you can tell by the look

Diamonds or goldcrowns they just don't do it
Click to expand...

Yeah. The only place I know that vacuums its tables on the daily basis is Amazin Billiards out of Malden, MA. If I'm not wrong, the balls are cleaned every day as well.
 
louieatienza said:
Sure, it's great to play on clean cloth, polished balls... I hate having to wash my palm and fingers of blue chalk every time I play. But these are the conditions we face, and we adjust our game accordingly. It's why you see pros and better players choose the firm option over rolling whenever possible - it takes some of the effect of dirty cloth and balls out of play.

It's just as annoying to hear an opponent whine about how the cloth and balls are kept, especially when they're not playing well. I tell them, "It doesn't bother me" as I pocket a ball, and move on.

See, in the Philippines, they don't experience some of the "first world problems" we face here. Some places have no air conditioning, just fans. And it gets hot and humid seemingly every day. Forget the table - just think what that humidity does to the chalk. I'm sure for many aspiring players there, it took quite a while to get their own, decent, cue. So they learn to play under such conditions.

Some people have their own table, with 1-piece not 3-piece slate, their own ball polisher, and a high end cue, in a climate-controlled room. Probably have a case of that "pre-flag" chalk or whatever as well. They learn to play under such conditions.

Regardless of which situation you're in, or somewhere in between, you are a product of your environment, and your playing will reflect that. But you have to adapt to the environment you are playing at, or you'll wither away.
Click to expand...

I dont think he is complaining about not being able to adapt, its probably more along the lines of "if I am paying to use these tables they should be kept in nice working condition". There is no reason a facility should let their tables get that dirty. A lot falls on the people using the equipment, like putting the chalk on the rail upside down, using talcum not just on your bridge but your whole hand, there is no reason in the world to leave a complete hand print on the table when using talcum. If people did some of this crap on my home table they would catch the butt end of a cue upside their empty head. Unfortunately we dont have much in the way of pool halls so we shoot league in bars. The bars care enough to get Diamonds if they want teams to play for them but for most part they neglect the tables. There are piles of dirt under the cushions, giant white hand prints, and balls getting stuck in the return because idiots cant keep chalk out of pockets. Polishing a set of balls? Absolutely out of the question or quite possibly it is forbidden by some ancient bylaw.
 
donuteric said:
Yeah. The only place I know that vacuums its tables on the daily basis is Amazin Billiards out of Malden, MA. If I'm not wrong, the balls are cleaned every day as well.
Click to expand...

Yes mazin shooni will keep them playing right
And I'd be willing to bet depending on traffic the balls and cloth is cleaned a few times a day
 
As players all of us can help teach etiquette to others and help them to learn to respect the equipment and this goes for not only other players, but for the owners of the tables.
 
fastone371 said:
I dont think he is complaining about not being able to adapt, its probably more along the lines of "if I am paying to use these tables they should be kept in nice working condition". There is no reason a facility should let their tables get that dirty. A lot falls on the people using the equipment, like putting the chalk on the rail upside down, using talcum not just on your bridge but your whole hand, there is no reason in the world to leave a complete hand print on the table when using talcum. If people did some of this crap on my home table they would catch the butt end of a cue upside their empty head. Unfortunately we dont have much in the way of pool halls so we shoot league in bars. The bars care enough to get Diamonds if they want teams to play for them but for most part they neglect the tables. There are piles of dirt under the cushions, giant white hand prints, and balls getting stuck in the return because idiots cant keep chalk out of pockets. Polishing a set of balls? Absolutely out of the question or quite possibly it is forbidden by some ancient bylaw.
Click to expand...

Well, it's obvious preaching to the choir. Don't tell US, tell the PROPRIETOR first of the pool halls you visit. If they don't offer that basic level of service, then maybe you should patronize another establishment.

As to the tables being kept - it's simple... you go to the table, see it's not vacuumed nor brushed, bring the balls back to the desk and tell them why. Also if you ARE playing, and you have to slow-roll a ball, don't you at least glance, if not inspect, the line it's on? I know I do. You see pros do that all the time on long shots, or shots that require finesse. They don't put themselves at the mercy of the cleaning crew.

If it's a bar, may be offer the service to the bar manager or bar owner. A brush and cordless dust-vac could be brought in, and the table cleaned before league. An effective ploy is to show the manager or owner your dark blue left hand.

A note about using a vacuum - it is possible some proprietors don't allow some individuals to do it for fear of ruining the cloth. It could potentially pull or tear. I'm sure most installers and techs today use sealing wax (bees wax) now for the joints, but if it's an older place with older tables it's possible the seams were done with something that has become more fragile and/or brittle with age (i.e. Durham's Rock-Hard water putty, plaster), and using a vacuum will pull fragments up and leave lumps under the cloth. Some guys might still use it because they don't want to deal with using a torch. Then you don't have to vacuum; since you'll be paying for new cloth!
 
https://youtu.be/560nka5Djjo

528f97aad4ac88cf1c572274dfeff730.png


The YouTube video is my new pool table cleaning robot it is quieter than the rumba robots I've purchased and less expensive as well. I'm a big fan, I have them for each level of my house and for work. This new white one I got has two sweepers to get under the rails.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
To funny

Many of these comments are funny to me because they are so true. I have a nice old 9' Rebco with Simonis Tournament Blue 860 HR cloth and the Aramith Super Pro balls.

I clean my cloth like Real King Cobra advised me to and I am grateful to him for the great advice, I also keep the balls clean. It is a good playing table and a joy to shoot on.

I some times shoot in one of the local dives that has a small 9 Ball tourney on Friday night. The 2 bar box's and balls are always filthy, dead rails, and they roll off in the weirdest places.

They have taught me to shoot a lot of fast stop, draw and follow shots and I know I have to juice the cue ball if using a rail for position. What is crazy is I almost think it has made me more of an "adjustable player".

I am also amazed at how much draw I can put on the heavy cue ball. I will take good playing conditions over filthy ones any day. But, that also means I will be playing by my self in my garage with out regular competition.
 
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