Why do some pool halls enforce the use of break pads?
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I haven’t done any scientific/controlled experiments but I feel like it should, maybe negligible on a barbox but considerable on a 9 foot table?
You are funny
It will eventually will lead to a hole.
I use a break cloth on my home table and require anyone playing on my table use it too. Not once have I had an issue. All of my friends that have tables employ the same. Cloth is expensive and there's no need for premature wear in the break spot. If you break from the same location consistently, you'll wear a hole through the cloth. If a room requests/requires you use it, I comply. To those that are adamant about not using one, perhaps you should flip the bill to have the cloth replaced. Once you do that, you'll be using the break cloth too.
just go to any place that has lots of nine ball play. you can see that end of the table well worn with little holes in the cloth and long steaks of wear in the break lanes. and commonly a hole where the one ball is racked.
go to the one pocket tables and the cloth is good shape with no lines and both ends of the table relatively identical.
smart rooms use the break cloth and have dedicated nine ball tables. they are more common than many think.
go to the one pocket tables and the cloth is good shape with no lines and both ends of the table relatively identical.
smart rooms use the break cloth and have dedicated nine ball tables. they are more common than many think.
True, eventually. But if your pool room is waiting that long to recover their tables, you should probably find another room!
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It happened on my home table previously and was the only spot with premature wear. I don't get what the big deal is about using a break cloth. I also change my spot regularly because that too develops a hole sooner than you'd think.True, eventually. But if your pool room is waiting that long to recover their tables, you should probably find another room!
Why do they enforce it? Because it’s they’re investment not your lol
I agree, it's not a big deal. If someone wanted me to use one I would.
As I said, I have yet to run into a room that does though. Maybe it's a regional thing?
The room I play in the most changes cloth at a minimum every six months anyway. I'm probably spoiled.
Long ago when I first saw them being used I thought break cloths were silly. Hell, I even had to ask how it was supposed to be used! However, they work, particularly on a home table. While I didn't insist on occasional visitors using one, I cut a few and used one on my home table every break. Much longer wear. Of course moving the cue ball around a little helped a bunch too.
Break cloths work so if a place wants me to use one I do without complaint. I forget the temperature the contact point reaches but it is a bunch.
Hu
Break cloths work so if a place wants me to use one I do without complaint. I forget the temperature the contact point reaches but it is a bunch.
Hu
I would have no problems using one if the pool hall or table owner requested it. I would use one on my own table. I would also use one if I was practicing jump shots or masses.
From some high speed videos I've seen the majority of the cue ball contact on the table is the starting point and it almost looks like the ball is slighty airborne when it hits the rack.
From some high speed videos I've seen the majority of the cue ball contact on the table is the starting point and it almost looks like the ball is slighty airborne when it hits the rack.
I have never played where break cloths are required. They are available in one room where I play but I have rarely seen them used. The only time I feel they are beneficial, is when practicing jumps on a public table. Not because I think it ruins the table but because many players think it looks bad and it’s not my table.
I have a home table. Tried break cloths and Shark Skins. Don’t use either. It just seems weird. Shark Skins work better than cloth but neither seem normal.
Cloth wear is normal. It’s a cost of playing pool. If you change a fundamental element of playing pool, to play pool, you’re not playing pool.
I don’t avoid sharp turns to reduce wear on my tires. I don’t pick up all the sticks in my yard to avoid dulling my mower blade. I don’t put plastic covers on my couch to avoid wear. And, I don’t use a substitute cue for practice to avoid wearing out the tip on my playing cue. It just doesn’t make sense to me.
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I have a home table. Tried break cloths and Shark Skins. Don’t use either. It just seems weird. Shark Skins work better than cloth but neither seem normal.
Cloth wear is normal. It’s a cost of playing pool. If you change a fundamental element of playing pool, to play pool, you’re not playing pool.
I don’t avoid sharp turns to reduce wear on my tires. I don’t pick up all the sticks in my yard to avoid dulling my mower blade. I don’t put plastic covers on my couch to avoid wear. And, I don’t use a substitute cue for practice to avoid wearing out the tip on my playing cue. It just doesn’t make sense to me.
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Protect felt from cue ball "burn" marks?
Thread solved....
Just giving you hard time, sorry.
I wish I would have used a "break pad" (I prefer to call it the launch pad!) When I got new felt. It's very obvious where I break from by just looking at the felt on my table. This is what table owners should do.
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Proper breaking technique has nothing to do with it. During a powerful break shot the temperature at the bottom of the cue ball is so hot that it burns the dye right off the cloth. The table ends up with tons of little white marks ("burn marks"). The break cloth keeps your cloth looking good much longer.
I'd like to add any chalk or other dirtiness on the cue ball gets shoved into the cloth on breaks (definitely jump shots).
I believe @dr_dave used a thermal camera to demonstrate the "burn" marks. If my memory still works... It might not
