the rock ?

J

jim jones

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hay everyone,
I have a question.About the cue ball and was trying to get a pro players view on this. The balls are all a standard size and weight Super Arimith and Brunswick Centenials. Same ball same company blah....blah... blah.......,ok so why do I have to keep getting use to playing with three different cue balls.the room that I play in most uses the red dot.This ball is the same size as the other balls but lighter.I weighed it , now the other room I play in uses the blue dot. This ball is heavier and smaller I checked it with a micrometer.You can also tell just by putting the balls on the rail together.So I buy the measles ball.I like this ball it moves easy.But it is larger than the sets of balls.What is going on here what is the right ball? Please can some one tell me the real truth? Confused, in NY
jim jones
 
IMO, it's mostly in your head. You're making far too big of a deal out of nothing. If you weighed and measured, you know that the difference is microscopic (a few grams out of 6 oz., and a few thousandths difference in size). Concentrate on the quality of your process, and you'll be able to adjust easily, from one CB to another, with no problem...like most good players.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
I hope you mean the "red circle" cue ball. The red dot weighs in at over 7oz.....SPF=randyg
 
Some say the 'red dots' are better for day-to-day nine-ball, eight-ball, and the like, were as the 'blue dot' cue balls are best for One Pocket and tournament play. I, however, have found that I can 'suck' equally well with one, as I can with the other. I'm going along with Scott, on this one. :)
 
According to BCA World Standardized Rules, all balls must be composed of cast phenolic resin plastic and measure 2 ¼ (+.005) inches [5.715 cm (+ .127 mm)] in diameter and weigh 5 ½ to 6 oz [156 to 170 gms]. That being stated, a 1/2 ounce variance means a potential difference of 9%! One reason to avoid cheap sets. As part of the advertising spiel, Brunswick points out that each set of Brunswick Centennials are hand match by weight and size for further consistency.

The Measles is a new ball, so I'm guessing it hasn't been worn down like the Blue Dot.

http://www.wpa-pool.com/index.asp?content=rules_spec.
 
Now that you measured the CB's. Check out the tables. On any table you will find that the pockets are not the same size, they will vary by a few thousands of an inch. Find the one that is the largest and try to shoot all of the balls into that one because it will be easier.

After you have done check the edge of the slate in the pocket and you will find that they are not as deep in every pocket.

What about ball tracks along the rail and that little spot that is put there for racking.

Watch out for all of those little things as they will affect the game.

Now to be real picky take lessons from Archer and pick off all of the fuzzies before shooting.
 
The thing that I was trying to get at was if they use the measles ball at the US 9 ball open and they use it at Derby is this the ball we should all be using.Is this ball now the standard don't we need standards? In this game.
I think we can all adjust to different balls. But wouldn't it be better just to pic one and stay with it. Thats all sorry I was just trying to get an answer.To the question not how I see things or a view or an opinion of my game.I think you can nit pic any thing to death. I was just try to get a good logical answer .......................thank you for all your posts guys
 
jim jones said:
Forget it. You all missed the point. end of thread sorry......... jim jones
Click to expand...

Nah, they didn't miss the point. They are just funning with you for being so picky.

(1) When you mention a "rock" cue ball many think of the significantly larger or heavier cue ball used on a bar table. Lots of forward roll and you're lucky to be able to do more than a stop shot (i.e., significant draw is difficult).

(2) Scott Lee gave you the best advice. Just deal with the minor variations since you aren't using real rock balls. Or, use your own measles ball whenever you can.
 
:rotflmao1: :lol: :yeah:

That's some funny stuff!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

TheBook said:
Now that you measured the CB's. Check out the tables. On any table you will find that the pockets are not the same size, they will vary by a few thousands of an inch. Find the one that is the largest and try to shoot all of the balls into that one because it will be easier.

After you have done check the edge of the slate in the pocket and you will find that they are not as deep in every pocket.

What about ball tracks along the rail and that little spot that is put there for racking.

Watch out for all of those little things as they will affect the game.

Now to be real picky take lessons from Archer and pick off all of the fuzzies before shooting.
Click to expand...
 
First.. When measuring a new cueball vs. a use set of balls, this can be deceiving, as a set of balls that is being used commercially will have a lot more wear on them, and yes they will be smaller.

I have a set of centennials at home, and have the 3 cue balls you've described. All are the same size. Yes.. measured with a micrometer.

I've been to places that had red circle (red dot as you described it) cueballs that were 1/32nd to 1/16th of an inch smaller, due to wear. They were just really old, used cueballs.

As for the different weights. Upon weighing the 3 cueballs I have at home, there is only a small difference in actual weight. Less than 10 grams from one to any of the others. This really surprised me when I weighed them, as I was always told that the red circle was a good deal lighter.

A friend, who is an accomplished player, said it wasn't that the weight was different, but the construction was different on red circles vs blue. I don't know how true this is, but it could be the reason for the difference in performance. Could is the key word in that sentence, as I have not been able to find anything to verify what he stated, I won't say it is or is not true.

He stated that in red circles the core and the outter shell were made by different density resins. I don't recall if he said the more dense resin was on the inside or the outside.

Again.. I don't know for a fact if this is true.

As for the blue circles and measle balls, they appear to play very much the same if they're both made by Aramith. I've played with non-Aramith measle balls, and they played quite a bit differently than Aramith balls. They were much heavier, much like a 'Red Dot' (that has a dot, and not a circle). When drawing, the cueball would go 'through' the spot where the object ball was, before drawing back. The only way it could do this, is if it was significantly heavier.

So....

I'm thinking the variance you're seeing may be due to various states of wear on balls that have been used commercially vs. an unused ball.

I truly hope this helps.... I guess the best way to tell would be to get a hold of a new set of balls, and cue balls, and do the comparison with those.

Best of luck on this..
 
Ponytail...Your friend has been smokin' some good stuff (or is talking off the top of his head). All of the good quality balls are made by Saluc, a company in Belgium. Aramith is just a brand name, like Centennial. The red circle CB is made by the same company as the measles ball and the blue circle.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Ponytail said:
First.. When measuring a new cueball vs. a use set of balls, this can be deceiving, as a set of balls that is being used commercially will have a lot more wear on them, and yes they will be smaller.

I have a set of centennials at home, and have the 3 cue balls you've described. All are the same size. Yes.. measured with a micrometer.

I've been to places that had red circle (red dot as you described it) cueballs that were 1/32nd to 1/16th of an inch smaller, due to wear. They were just really old, used cueballs.

As for the different weights. Upon weighing the 3 cueballs I have at home, there is only a small difference in actual weight. Less than 10 grams from one to any of the others. This really surprised me when I weighed them, as I was always told that the red circle was a good deal lighter.

A friend, who is an accomplished player, said it wasn't that the weight was different, but the construction was different on red circles vs blue. I don't know how true this is, but it could be the reason for the difference in performance. Could is the key word in that sentence, as I have not been able to find anything to verify what he stated, I won't say it is or is not true.

He stated that in red circles the core and the outter shell were made by different density resins. I don't recall if he said the more dense resin was on the inside or the outside.

Again.. I don't know for a fact if this is true.

As for the blue circles and measle balls, they appear to play very much the same if they're both made by Aramith. I've played with non-Aramith measle balls, and they played quite a bit differently than Aramith balls. They were much heavier, much like a 'Red Dot' (that has a dot, and not a circle). When drawing, the cueball would go 'through' the spot where the object ball was, before drawing back. The only way it could do this, is if it was significantly heavier.

So....

I'm thinking the variance you're seeing may be due to various states of wear on balls that have been used commercially vs. an unused ball.

I truly hope this helps.... I guess the best way to tell would be to get a hold of a new set of balls, and cue balls, and do the comparison with those.

Best of luck on this..
Click to expand...
 
jim jones said:
Hay everyone,
I have a question.About the cue ball and was trying to get a pro players view on this. The balls are all a standard size and weight Super Arimith and Brunswick Centenials. Same ball same company blah....blah... blah.......,ok so why do I have to keep getting use to playing with three different cue balls.the room that I play in most uses the red dot.This ball is the same size as the other balls but lighter.I weighed it , now the other room I play in uses the blue dot. This ball is heavier and smaller I checked it with a micrometer.You can also tell just by putting the balls on the rail together.So I buy the measles ball.I like this ball it moves easy.But it is larger than the sets of balls.What is going on here what is the right ball? Please can some one tell me the real truth? Confused, in NY
jim jones
Click to expand...



Jim. The real truth is that originally there was a "measle cue ball" that was on the market and it was larger than spec cue balls. I have one in Pool School and it sucks. I all so have a normal measle cue ball and I like it....SPF=randyg
 
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pool-Billiards-2283/2009/8/Q-ball-distinctions.htm

That should answer your questions.

Yes, picking one and sticking with it will help with your overall consistency (just like the with stick, table, cloth, etc).

Yes it's a pity we don't have universal standards in pool so that everything is consistent.

No, you don't really need to worry about which is best for you or your favorite game. Could one ball draw a foot less on certain shots than the other? Sure, maybe... or you could draw a foot less because you hit 3 mm higher on the CB than you expected. Or your arm is tired. Or you stretched a little. Or the chalk didn't take. Or that stretch of cloth is unusually nappy. Etc. Etc.

Buy one, stick with it, don't sweat it.
 
So okay.Do you guys feel that if a cue ball that has worn down smaller plays better or worse?And further more do you guys feel that we should play with one specific ball? This is just a question to see how other players feel
 
jim jones said:
So okay.Do you guys feel that if a cue ball that has worn down smaller plays better or worse?And further more do you guys feel that we should play with one specific ball? This is just a question to see how other players feel
Click to expand...

I personally do not like playing with cueballs that are worn down. The main reason for this is they become lighter, and then will deflect more.

Other than that, I don't really care which cue ball is used. I used to. But not anymore. I purposely play with any cueball that is on the market. Red Circle on 8 foot tables on league nights. Aramith bar table balls on a bar table league. Blue circle and Aramith measle ball at home. Even mud balls.

The way I figure it, if I'm not concerned from one cueball to the next, or from one type of table to the next, or one type of cloth to the next... Then I'm a stronger pool player because of it. I just get out there and play. It's done wonders for my game. Maybe it because I don't let those things enter into my game now... I just play pool with what everyone else it playing pool with.
 
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Tap, tap, tap! Good advice and common sense!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Ponytail said:
The way I figure it, if I'm not concerned from one cueball to the next, or from one type of table to the next, or one type of cloth to the next... Then I'm a stronger pool player because of it. I just get out there and play. It's done wonders for my game. Maybe it because I don't let those things enter into my game now... I just play pool with what everyone else it playing pool with.
Click to expand...
 
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