Different Weighted Cue Balls
Coin operated tables rely on magnetic cue balls or even different weighted or different sized cue balls so that the cue will return for use following a scratch shot, while object balls remain pocketed.
Instruction that emphasizes this type of "coin op" or "bar table" play needs to take into account the difficulty of drawing the overweight/oversized cue ball, and different angles of incidence off contact with the rails, etc.
Often, these become errors of ommission, especially in Eight Ball books that emphasize bar play (Eight Ball being a common league or tournament game at billiards bars).
Little makes players as frustrated as worn pool balls. Though they are made of solid plastic and are designed to withstand untold thousands of impacts from rough play, they do get worn, however slightly, over time.
Believe it or not, you may see a pro substitute certain pool balls to make for a uniform set on a practice table--for example, replacing the worn 9-ball with a 10- or 11-ball, some striped pool ball, for the rack for practice games of Nine Ball.
Pool Balls Between Tables
Petty and stupid, but true--some room owners won't take the trouble to have uniform pool balls between tables in their hall, making the game "extra fun" between sessions at the same place.
Likewise, there is no universal standard for pool balls as pure equipment to adjust for different sized pool tables, so unlucky competitors may play the same balls on different sized tables or vice versa in the same tournament or pool league session. Stinks!
Wooden Pool Balls?
Many years ago, the earliest pool balls were honed from carved wood. Imagine the intense difficulty inherent in trying to make complete, round sets of uniform pool balls out of wood! Soon, ivory took over the sport--and elephants of the world were hunted to near extinction as billiards balls became sought after commodities and the game grew to record numbers thanks to regular sets of balls.
The "ivories" made for pool balls with a unique feel for play. If you get the chance to roll a few shots with ivory balls, do so. It's quite a different feeling than is offered by more modern composite pool balls.
Pool Balls That - Literally - Exploded
John Hyatt created modern plastics solely for the purpose of building better pool balls. He saved elephants and condemned plastics to landfills for 10,000 years in one go. His early attempts at "collodion" pool balls were flammable, and even explosive under stress.Imagine someone making a truly explosive break shot using early modern pool balls!
Cheap Pool Balls
Simply put, one can go cheap on pool balls or spend a little more and get far more quality at the tables. Cheap room owners skimp and hurt their customers' games in the process. There's nothing quite like shooting with a set of non-uniform balls, with some a little smaller in diameter than others, some with more elastic/resilient surfaces than others, plus pool balls whose colors fade with wear. Disgusting. And more shots are missed as you desperately try to adjust between varied pool balls.
Dirty Pool Balls
Balls ought to be cleaned promptly when they begin to feel dirty to the touch, which can make them cling together visibly for extra time after impact, destroying the shot and making an otherwise perfect stroke cause a pocket miss. A little water and a quick towel dry is often all that is needed.
Many billiard parlors (the ones that appreciate their customers) use polish machines to wax balls in much the same function as a bowling ball cleaning machine.
How To Rack Pool Balls Tightly And Defend Against The Break
