What type of balls should I buy?

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Billiard_Junkie

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Hi, I am a newer billiards player and my son and I are addicted. We bought our second table (Canada Billiards Black Crown II) which came with Simonis 860. I had a previous set from our import table and did not know that they are more prone to leaving burn marks. I am trying to decide on billiard balls. I have been researching and guess choices are Aramith Premier, Premium Super Pro and Centennials. I really don't know if jumping from Premier/Premium to Pro would result in less burns or if once you are at the Aramith level, the balls are all good. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
You know, as with most things, what you can afford or are willing to spend has a lot to do with it. As does how seriously you take the game.

Personally I like the centennial balls. I'm not opposed to any top of the line ball though.

Look on ebay, you may find a high quality used set in good shape also.
 
Aramith, even the less expensive set (premiers) will do the job for years, if not decades to come :)

Centennials are the best looking balls imho, but Brunswick charges a premium for them, which are also made by Aramith.

Aramith even makes some real low priced stuff (crown and continental) but not really sure I'd go that route..... prolly make those so the cheap table guys have "something" to provide in a package deal :)
 
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Sorry to hear you're having a problem with burn marks. I have been using an Aramith Premium ball set for about 3 years now on Simonis 860R with very little burn marks. If I were to buy another set, I would purchase the Super Pro's because of the new resin they use for longer life of the balls. I really don't think that in your case, a different set of balls would help. I only use Aramith ball cleaner to keep the balls clean. Perhaps cleaning regularly would reduce your problem. I'm sorry I'm of little help to you.
 
Unless they've changed somehow over the years I'd go with Brunswick Centennials if you can afford them. We used them in a commercial room for years and they did not mark, chip, crack, or much else due to wear. Only reason I don't have them myself is that Super Pros were thrown in with my Olhausen table deal.
 
Burn marks are as much if not more a factor of how the cloth is made.

The Tournament sets are top of the line, but they play tougher. You need more of a good stroke to move the cueball around.

I just got a pool table and am planning either getting a good used set of Centennials, used set of Tournament or Super Pro or a new set of Aramith Premium.
 
Anyone try out the cyclop balls yet.

I'm looking for a new set too, and I play A LOT lately.
 
Billiard_Junkie said:
Hi, I am a newer billiards player and my son and I are addicted. We bought our second table (Canada Billiards Black Crown II) which came with Simonis 860. I had a previous set from our import table and did not know that they are more prone to leaving burn marks. I am trying to decide on billiard balls. I have been researching and guess choices are Aramith Premier, Premium Super Pro and Centennials. I really don't know if jumping from Premier/Premium to Pro would result in less burns or if once you are at the Aramith level, the balls are all good. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
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You really can't go wrong with these choices. Personally, I would be torn between the Cyclops and Aramith Super Pro. Either way, typical play will be identical with any of the ones you're considering. The only reason why you might consider the Aramith Super Pros or Centennials over anything else is, they are the most commonly used balls in competition since nearly every good poolroom in America uses one or the other. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the Cyclops balls became the set of choice.
 
I've always been a sucker for the looks of Centennials, and the fact that they play really well doesn't hurt either...
 
Thanks everyone! I found a used set of Premiers (both snooker (2 1/4) and billiards). I know the Premiers don't have a measle ball. They are both in boxes but how do I know they are authentic Aramiths and that balls weren't replaced in box?
 
I have both Centennials and Cyclop and use Aramith pros in tournaments at my local pool hall. I can vouch for Cyclop. They play like Centennials but stay cleaner WAY longer, skid less, and they cost less! At least mine did, bought a used set at the BCA nationals last year for $150. If you can find Cyclop, I think they're the way to go. As for the cue balls, I personally replace mine about once a year and keep multiples of each commonly used ones that way I can practice before a tournament with the cue ball I'll be using. I'd recommend buying a measle ball and a red circle and getting comfortable with both. The cyclop cue ball is great too and I think it plays pretty similar to the red circle.
 
I have both the Arimith pro and the centennials on two different tables. The pros are on the Simonis 760 tournament cloth and has a lot of friction burns on it. Especially from my normal break spot. But then again, my cloth is going on three years old and has had a lots of play.

My business partner has cheap cloth and balls on his table and I can really tell the difference between his table set up and mine. Balls do make a difference.
 
stefunny823 said:
I have both Centennials and Cyclop and use Aramith pros in tournaments at my local pool hall. I can vouch for Cyclop. They play like Centennials but stay cleaner WAY longer, skid less, and they cost less! At least mine did, bought a used set at the BCA nationals last year for $150. If you can find Cyclop, I think they're the way to go. As for the cue balls, I personally replace mine about once a year and keep multiples of each commonly used ones that way I can practice before a tournament with the cue ball I'll be using. I'd recommend buying a measle ball and a red circle and getting comfortable with both. The cyclop cue ball is great too and I think it plays pretty similar to the red circle.
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This is what I was hoping to read! I may try them out. I'm down to Aramith tourney balls, or cyclops, WITH THE FUNKY COLORS!!!! Just cuz...
 
Ball Sets

I have them all.

  • Classic Brunswick Centennial
  • Aramith Premium
  • The newer Aramith Tournament with Duramith Technology
  • CYCLOP - Normal Colors
  • CYCLOP - TV Colors

My favorite set to play with is the CYCLOP Normal set. Balls do stay a lot cleaner and play great. I don't see any increase in table burn marks with the CYCLOP set, but I do use a machine to keep all my sets clean. Cut shots seem to do better with the CYCLOP set, but it does take a bit of getting used to the CYCLOP cue ball. It has a clear layer that bothers some. My next favorite set is the classic Centennial set. They get dirtier faster so I use them less now, but they are great. All in all, I'd say any of the 5 sets I have are very good and are about the best you can get. From a pricing perspective it's hard to beat the CYCLOP balls though. Contact Diamond Billiards for pricing.
 
Go with the Brunswick Centennial Set.....I own two sets......its just the best looking design in pool balls bar none and the quality is equal to or better than any other brand, even Raschig.
 
I've got a set of Centennials, Super Pro TV's and Cyclop TV's. The Cyclop set plays far and above better than the other two with the added bonus they stay cleaner longer.
 
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