Ivory Pool Balls and a Clay Break Ball
3/20/2008 5:55:03 AM
Ivory Pool Balls and a Clay Break Ball
When I played pool many years ago, we used a "break ball" to break with. After the break shot we switched to an ivory cue ball.
In the pool room I played a person was not allowed to break with the ivory cue ball. The "break ball" was a type of clay and heavier ball. The reason was that the ivory ball jumping off the table would damage it.
Only the great players on the front table were allowed to use the ivory cue ball for breaks. And for sure, only the big time players were allowed to use the front table. It was kept covered until the money players came in.
Can you comment on this? Give me information on the size of the cue balls and object balls.
Milan CIvory Pool Balls and a Clay Break Ball
Replies & Comments
Fenwick on 5/8/2008 9:33:11 PM
I also grew up playing with Ivory balls on "table one" or, the "straight pool only" table.
You had to earn the privilege to play on "table one" and if you did, the owner watched your every move. I was allowed to play there at the ripe old age of 14 or 15. I only heard "good shot" once while playing under his watchful eye. It was a massé shot during a 43-ball run against my future brother in-law around 1964 or 1965. I remember it was in 1967 I became one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Citizens.
Specs on the ivory billiard balls from Wikipedia: "the weight may be from 5.5 to 6 oz. (156 to 170 g) with a diameter of 2.25 in. (5.715 cm), plus or minus 0.005 in. (0.127 mm)."
Ivory Pool Balls and a Clay Break Ball
- Title: Ivory Pool Balls and a Clay Break Ball
- Author: Milan C (Milan C.)
- Published: 3/20/2008 5:55:03 AM
- Last Updated: 9/26/2016 11:06:24 AM
- Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
