New here, just got back into the game after 22 years. Kids are now grown up and moved on. So I just bought a used but very nice shape 9’ Brunswick Ventura that came with 2 1/8 centennial balls. I just put new simonis 860 on it along with new super speed k 55 cushions. I am fixing to buy new balls but I think that I should be using the 2 1/4. Any help would be appreciated before my purchase thanks
What size balls
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2 1/4 are standard. Especially if your cushion nose is standard height (1 3/8 - 1 7/16, I think).
pj
chgo
pj
chgo
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Get a set of Brunswick Centennials, new or used. The tolerances are usually very tight.
Weird that your table came with 2 1/8" balls. That sounds like snooker size. As mentioned above, 2 1/4" is 100% the correct size.
If you are on a budget, there is a new player in the ball game called Dynosphere. Their ball sets are excellent. As good as the $250 sets from Aramith. Here is their cheapest set:
They also have the more traditional colors for about $100 range (same quality as this set though).
If you are on a budget, there is a new player in the ball game called Dynosphere. Their ball sets are excellent. As good as the $250 sets from Aramith. Here is their cheapest set:
Amazon.com : Dynasphere Unique Designed Tungsten Pool Balls Complete Pool Ball Set 2 1/4 inch Regulation Size Tournament Quality and Specifications for All Pool Players - Uniform Weight and Hardness and Durable : Sports & Outdoors
Amazon.com : Dynasphere Unique Designed Tungsten Pool Balls Complete Pool Ball Set 2 1/4 inch Regulation Size Tournament Quality and Specifications for All Pool Players - Uniform Weight and Hardness and Durable : Sports & Outdoors
www.amazon.com
They also have the more traditional colors for about $100 range (same quality as this set though).
You need to measure the rail height as mentioned above. (1-3/8 dim below) if it's set too low, and you use 2-1/4 standard size balls, you'll see a bounce, or hop, when hitting the rail. This is one of many profiles below. Yours may be different, but that 1-3/8 number is the most important. You don't want the rail point below the center of the ball.
It's very unlikely that the rail nose is below center ball. I think it's more likely that a normal rail height is a little too high for smaller balls, causing them to rebound long and slow.
pj
chgo
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Going from 2 1/8" to 2 1/4" balls will only make 1/8" of difference (but it'll probably seem like more).
pj
chgo
I think it is usually the other way around. If the nose of the cushion is high, the angle of the ball off the cushion tends to be longer (more parallel to the rail). If the cushion is low, the ball comes off short and fast.
In any case, it is better if the height of the cushion is matched to the balls.
I did not know this. No wonder the pro snooker tables look so loose.
Thanks - I’ll try to remember that. Is there an easy-to-understand explanation? My reasoning was that a too-high rail would drive the ball more downward into the slate, reducing rebound speed.
EDIT: I actually meant to say the same thing. I edited my post.
pj
chgo
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It’s a huge difference. Much more than the numbers represent. The 2 1/16” look like marbles compared to 2 ¼” balls.
I can’t recall the size of the big CB on barbox’s or 3C balls. I think they are the same size.
The largest balls are for Russian pyramids which of course I can’t spell/
there was a pic I saw years ago online of all different balls set up from smallest to biggest. ½” is a ton on ball size in any cue sport
I've found that to be true in practice. The springiest rubber I've played on was just plain old cushions set so low the ball hopped on contact.
The big ball and standard billiard balls are 2 3/8ths the pyramid balls along with the Korean balls are the biggest. Don't know the dimensions.
That was my guess, but I wasn’t sure so I didn’t say anything. I was pretty sure they were the same size-guess.
I’ve played a bit of billiards (I horrible ran 4 once) the big ball on a barbox was just impossible for me- but sure is fun to watch a good player move it around-I missed a lot with it, I don’t really know how I aim, hard to explain but with that big ball I can miss anything lol.
thx
Fatboy
First real pool I saw was in Los Angeles - some bar in Gardena. One table, big ball. Picture perfect outs. I was hooked. The way that ball moved was just surreal. I didn't have any issues with making stuff on the toy tables but then I sucked at pool anyway.
Big ball players can do some amazing stuff with that ball. After I learned to play, I could play with the big ball of course and do some cool stuff-but I still would miss a routine shot here and there a bit too often. I never got to that “next level” big ball player level. I don’t think I got there period lolFirst real pool I saw was in Los Angeles - some bar in Gardena. One table, big ball. Picture perfect outs. I was hooked. The way that ball moved was just surreal. I didn't have any issues with making stuff on the toy tables but then I sucked at pool anyway.