Steel vs standard cushions

[aucott80]

Hi,

Buying a table, any idea if the difference between steel and standard cushions is worth the extra expense? Cheers

[Leo]

Hi,

Buying a table, any idea if the difference between steel and standard cushions is worth the extra expense? Cheers

If you're practising they are really not worth the extra expense. Theres some lovely non-steel block tables around for not a lot of money.

[aucott80]

Hi leo, thanks for the reply. Actually I'm getting the table but normally only play pool. Geoff has one for £350 with standard cushions but I wasn't sure how much difference it meant Cheers

[Leo]

Hi leo, thanks for the reply. Actually I'm getting the table but normally only play pool. Geoff has one for £350 with standard cushions but I wasn't sure how much difference it meant Cheers

If you're talking about that old Riley aristocrat on his website then you'll be getting a good table there.

[bolton-cueman]

If you're practising they are really not worth the extra expense. Theres some lovely non-steel block tables around for not a lot of money.

first time for everything... but I'm going to have to disagree, Leo

having a set of blocks are, imho, worth the extra. A consistent, lively bounce can only assist your game.

[aucott80]

Steel vs standard cushions

Can the cushions be upgraded later?

[bolton-cueman]

yep, I would think so!

[Leo]

first time for everything... but I'm going to have to disagree, Leo

having a set of blocks are, imho, worth the extra. A consistent, lively bounce can only assist your game.

That's fair enough I'll take that one on the chin

[aucott80]

Steel vs standard cushions

In that case think I'll go standard and if I get into game enough I'll upgrade later. Cheers for advice

[Master Blaster]

Hi,

Buying a table, any idea if the difference between steel and standard cushions is worth the extra expense? Cheers

Yes and yes and yes.

Yes because balls not reacting off the cushions when hit firm ruins the game, e.g. the trampolining we sometimes see off the top rail on wooden block tables.

Yes if you're good, why would you want the balls to slide off the cushions?

Yes if you're going to enter tournaments or play county and above, you need to practise on what you will compete on.

Finally, if you don't want your blocks to crumble over time and pay a fitter to repair them, buy steel blocks. If you can afford them, buy them, they're grand.

[Leo]

Sorry but steel blocks for the average or good snooker player really don't need steel block cushions honestly. I know opinions differ but the extra expense will be a waste.

[thommo335]

Steel vs standard cushions

increased cloth wear with steel blocks so ive heard also. ..

[ghost121]

I have the option of playing on both and find that steel block cushions are more consistent and therefore more predictable. You can get used to any pace off the cushion, it's the variations that kill you.

[Byrom]

If you are going to be serious about it the steels - if its just a hobby then it don't matter.

[bolton-cueman]

Sorry but steel blocks for the average or good snooker player really don't need steel block cushions honestly. I know opinions differ but the extra expense will be a waste.

if its an infrequent player, yep steels wouldn't be needed (or even noticed?) by the player

but I'm definitely in the 'average' category snooker wise, and I can tell the difference when going on a non steel block table. To mitigate that I did have my own table with blocks and the table I play on now has blocks - and a no10 cloth #bliss