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Ball Diameter Inconsistency

2/20/2009 3:53:44 PM

Ball Diameter Inconsistency

I recently purchased a Super Aramith Pro Cup Cue Ball - Spotted to practice spin shots. The other day, while at the local pool hall, a couple guys on the table next to me noted that my new practice ball looked "larger" than what we have on the 10 tables in the hall. This got my attention because I had a suspicion that the new ball was larger the first time I used it. We eyeballed it from different angles, and even tried making a stop shot with it -- noting that it continued to roll after hitting a "regular" object ball. The proof turned out to be when I placed the new ball inbetween two "house" balls and put my que shaft across the top. It rocked up and down like a teeter-toter. The new practice ball was obviously larger in diameter than the "house" balls.

To further verify, I used my new digital micrometer on my new ball and found it to be 2.2545. The slight oversize may be due to me not resetting the "zero" on the micrometer. Armed with my que ball and micrometer, I went up to the pool hall and measured one of the house que balls. It was 2.2145. That 4/100ths of an inch is considerable -- and obvious to the naked eye.

I'm unsure of the table size we play on. But I know they're smaller tables than normal. They're not coin tables either. And, we play BCA league on all these tables using house balls.

Is anyone aware of such a variance in balls? Is it possible that old balls somehow become compacted and are reduced in diameter after lots of time and use?

Right now, I don't want to use my practice ball on these tables because I know I'm going to get an untrue hit. I'm pretty disapointed and don't know what to do about it.

Any comments or suggestions?

Ball Diameter Inconsistency

Replies & Comments
  1. faroekingJustanotherevolutionary on 3/1/2009 8:36:34 AM

    2.25 is standard. Your ball is closer to that. I would use your ball. Especially since you probably paid $25 for it.

  2. faroekingMitch Alsup on 3/1/2009 11:14:19 AM

    Balls get smaller (slowly) as they get played--and especially when they get polished in the machine to become shiny again.

    New balls are expensive, and pool halls are not known as lavish on the equiptment. I hae a couple of friends that go to the best pool hall in Austin Texas (23 tables) and bring their own aramith balls. When playing on these (after getting use to the others) beware of the extra distance you get with backspin (draw).

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Ball Diameter Inconsistency

  • Title: Ball Diameter Inconsistency
  • Author:
  • Published: 2/20/2009 3:53:44 PM