Why do some pool halls enforce the use of break pads?

[spin-right-round]

I want to find the person that started this trend and ask them the reasoning behind forcing experienced players to use a loose piece of cloth under the cue ball to “protect the cloth”. If using proper break technique, on follow through the cue tip doesn’t really contact the cloth right below the cue ball, so it defeats the purpose of this so called break pad anyway.
From a physics perspective, a loose piece of cloth under the cueball would mean the CB loses momentum right after the time of contact (the loose piece of cloth acting like a dampener) so I find this idea completely absurd. If a player rips/puts a tear in the cloth because of the break, they should be liable for replacement. Plain and simple.

I’m no table mechanic so I may have this completely wrong. Willing to learn the reasoning if it’s technically sound.

 

[KissedOut]

I'm guessing it is the cumulative effect, not a tear, that is the issue.

 

[David in FL]

The concern isn't the cue tip contacting the cloth, it's the burn marks caused by the cue ball.

For what it's worth, I don't know of a single room in Florida that requires them.

I think most people understand that burn marks are nothing more than cosmetic and don't really affect play at all.

 

[Chicagoplayer]

I want to find the person that started this trend and ask them the reasoning behind forcing experienced players to use a loose piece of cloth under the cue ball to “protect the cloth”. If using proper break technique, on follow through the cue tip doesn’t really contact the cloth right below the cue ball, so it defeats the purpose of this so called break pad anyway.
From a physics perspective, a loose piece of cloth under the cueball would mean the CB loses momentum right after the time of contact (the loose piece of cloth acting like a dampener) so I find this idea completely absurd. If a player rips/puts a tear in the cloth because of the break, they should be liable for replacement. Plain and simple.

I’m no table mechanic so I may have this completely wrong. Willing to learn the reasoning if it’s technically sound.

Cloth preservation right now is a must considering that the wait for cloth is very long.
Simonis is backloged.

 

[Sheldon]

Since your cue can never be truly level with the table, you're hitting down on the ball which causes friction between the ball and cloth. This generates fairly intense heat, and burns the cloth. Find a table with a lot of play on it where people have been breaking from the same spot over and over and you'll see where the cloth has been marked up. You can also see little burn marks from the break spot to the rack where the ball has been skipping towards the rack.

 

[MitchAlsup]

I want to find the person that started this trend and ask them the reasoning behind forcing experienced players to use a loose piece of cloth under the cue ball to “protect the cloth”. If using proper break technique, on follow through the cue tip doesn’t really contact the cloth right below the cue ball, so it defeats the purpose of this so called break pad anyway.

Are you kidding ??
Have you seen the wear marks on pool tables played in professional tournaments after a single day of use ???
Do you think pool halls can afford to put new cloth on more than twice a year ??

From a physics perspective, a loose piece of cloth under the cueball would mean the CB loses momentum right after the time of contact (the loose piece of cloth acting like a dampener) so I find this idea completely absurd. If a player rips/puts a tear in the cloth because of the break, they should be liable for replacement. Plain and simple.

The CB is only on the cloth for a millisecond or so after contact.

I’m no table mechanic so I may have this completely wrong. Willing to learn the reasoning if it’s technically sound.

Wear on the breaking area of the cloth--pure and simple.

 

[spin-right-round]

The concern isn't the cue tip contacting the cloth, it's the burn marks caused by the cue ball.

For what it's worth, I don't know of a single room in Florida that requires them.

I think most people understand that burn marks are nothing more than cosmetic and don't really affect play at all.

Beyond Billiards in Davie used to require them, as I recall.

 

[David in FL]

Beyond Billiards in Davie used to require them, as I recall.

There may very well be a few. But they certainly aren't prevalent.

 

[spin-right-round]

Are you kidding ??
Have you seen the wear marks on pool tables played in professional tournaments after a single day of use ???
Do you think pool halls can afford to put new cloth on more than twice a year ??

The CB is only on the cloth for a millisecond or so after contact.

Wear on the breaking area of the cloth--pure and simple.

Wear marks don’t affect playability, and that’s what they are.. I mentioned that if the cloth is not brand new, this is pretty absurd.
How long does it take for the CB to reach the head ball? Considering that, the time of contact would become relatively large.

 

[GoldCrown]

I want to find the person that started this trend and ask them the reasoning behind forcing experienced players to use a loose piece of cloth under the cue ball to “protect the cloth”. If using proper break technique, on follow through the cue tip doesn’t really contact the cloth right below the cue ball, so it defeats the purpose of this so called break pad anyway.
From a physics perspective, a loose piece of cloth under the cueball would mean the CB loses momentum right after the time of contact (the loose piece of cloth acting like a dampener) so I find this idea completely absurd. If a player rips/puts a tear in the cloth because of the break, they should be liable for replacement. Plain and simple.

I’m no table mechanic so I may have this completely wrong. Willing to learn the reasoning if it’s technically sound.

Use a cloth and then sit/lean, leave drinks on the rail. Use the scoop method to jump. Use a cloth but have white burn tracks .... I think it balances

 

[hang-the-9]

I want to find the person that started this trend and ask them the reasoning behind forcing experienced players to use a loose piece of cloth under the cue ball to “protect the cloth”. If using proper break technique, on follow through the cue tip doesn’t really contact the cloth right below the cue ball, so it defeats the purpose of this so called break pad anyway.
From a physics perspective, a loose piece of cloth under the cueball would mean the CB loses momentum right after the time of contact (the loose piece of cloth acting like a dampener) so I find this idea completely absurd. If a player rips/puts a tear in the cloth because of the break, they should be liable for replacement. Plain and simple.

I’m no table mechanic so I may have this completely wrong. Willing to learn the reasoning if it’s technically sound.

"proper technique" is the key, out of all the players you see in a typical pool hall, what % do you think have that? Like 5%? Also, it does not just protect from the tip, small burn marks from the friction of the hit under the cueball happen. I don't think it affects the momentum of the ball enough to notice, I would be more worried about it having more lift than normal from being higher.

 

[GoldCrown]

I want to find the person that started this trend and ask them the reasoning behind forcing experienced players to use a loose piece of cloth under the cue ball to “protect the cloth”. If using proper break technique, on follow through the cue tip doesn’t really contact the cloth right below the cue ball, so it defeats the purpose of this so called break pad anyway.
From a physics perspective, a loose piece of cloth under the cueball would mean the CB loses momentum right after the time of contact (the loose piece of cloth acting like a dampener) so I find this idea completely absurd. If a player rips/puts a tear in the cloth because of the break, they should be liable for replacement. Plain and simple.

I’m no table mechanic so I may have this completely wrong. Willing to learn the reasoning if it’s technically sound.

I would think you benefited from a damaged cloth. You're like a lawyer... when people screw up you get the call. BAN THE BREAK CLOTH!!

 

[Dunnn51]

One poolroom I went to; the owner ALWAYS gave me a break cloth with my tray of balls. Of course I didn't use it and he came to my table telling me to use the cloth. I complied.
The next time I went to that poolroom, he would give me the cloth and I would give it back to him. TBH, I was not trying to bust his balls, I just got picky with the cloth b/c I didn't want a "stringy" one. You know, all tattered which could alter the CB path slightly at break. So, then he would give me one that was freshly cut. Eventually he stopped giving me "the felt."

 

[Zerksies]

This generates fairly intense heat, and burns the cloth. Find a table with a lot of play on it where people have been breaking from the same spot over and over and you'll see where the cloth has been marked up.

This is the sweet spot. I go into a strange pool hall and I see these marks on the table that’s where I’m breaking from.

 

[gcmortal]

Wear marks don’t affect playability,

Not right away, no. But those 9 Ball break areas by the rail will be the first to wear completely through.

 

[Angus]

I have never been to a place that requires for you to. Actually first time I have ever heard of it.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

How long does it take for the CB to reach the head ball? Considering that, the time of contact would become relatively large.

How do you think that piece of cloth affects this?

pj
chgo

 

[spin-right-round]

How do you think that piece of cloth affects this?

pj
chgo

I would think it slows down your break

 

[Joe_Jaguar]

I would think it slows down your break

Have you noticed one?

 

[SeniorTom]

"If using proper break technique, "

Assuming they use the proper technique. They just put new felt on all the pool tables at the local pool hall a few months ago, and now it looks like the tee box on a typical par 3 golf course. I wish I took a picture of the tables in there, and you would have your answer. Yesterday I was at the pool hall with a friend and there was a group playing, drinking heavily without any concern for the table or the cue sticks. I really don't think they cared any for marks they might leave on the table.