Cueing at the Speed of Sound

[itsnoteasy]

I played for a few months when I was seventeen and one of the good players was having a knock with me, he got so fed up with the balls we went into Edinburgh to buy a set of SC. I don't know why he didn't like the club balls( I wasn't good enough to understand what was going on) and I don't know what bog standard club balls were made of back then, but it's reasonable to guess they kicked and had a lot of bad contacts. Once he got the SC balls I never heard him moan again( hello Derrick the builder, if you are on here) thirty years later when I took the game up, I see kicks and bad contacts all the time with the club balls and a good few( but far better) with the TC balls.

[Cannonball]

These claims about SCs. We've got a problem. We don't have a time machine to transport Ronnie back to the day. If we did, we could compare the best with different balls on old tables/cloths/rubbers. So what we've got are some old SCs dotted around. Now I don't believe they're kick free (even with perfect cueing) but they are less kick prone than TCs. Despite the kicks, folk can make tons and maxis with TCs, even in clubs. We know this. So can anyone make tons with SCs? I'm thinking maybe but the proof is in the pudding and the eating. I think it will be harder. So what we need is to give the SCs to someone decent on a Star/Riley with a fast cloth, say a no.10 and see if they can make the numbers with SCs. If they can't, then the WPBSA were right to go with TCs. That's all there is to it, because snooker is about making the numbers. Especially in contemporary times. So if you really want to prove (and not just assert) that SCs are better than TCs, you know what you have to do Vmax.

[Hello, Mr Big Shot]

These claims about SCs. We've got a problem. We don't have a time machine to transport Ronnie back to the day. If we did, we could compare the best with different balls on old tables/cloths/rubbers. So what we've got are some old SCs dotted around. Now I don't believe they're kick free (even with perfect cueing) but they are less kick prone than TCs. Despite the kicks, folk can make tons and maxis with TCs, even in clubs. We know this. So can anyone make tons with SCs? I'm thinking maybe but the proof is in the pudding and the eating. I think it will be harder. So what we need is to give the SCs to someone decent on a Star/Riley with a fast cloth, say a no.10 and see if they can make the numbers with SCs. If they can't, then the WPBSA were right to go with TCs. That's all there is to it, because snooker is about making the numbers. Especially in contemporary times. So if you really want to prove (and not just assert) that SCs are better than TCs, you know what you have to do Vmax.

Correct, Blusts.

There are a load of variables to consider before pointing the finger solely at the balls.

[vmax4steve]

So what we need is to give the SCs to someone decent on a Star/Riley with a fast cloth, say a no.10 and see if they can make the numbers with SCs. If they can't, then the WPBSA were right to go with TCs. That's all there is to it, because snooker is about making the numbers. Especially in contemporary times. So if you really want to prove (and not just assert) that SCs are better than TCs, you know what you have to do Vmax.

I though that person was you and you had just bought an old set and polished them up. Now if all your claims about your game are true then how come you haven't.

[Cannonball]

I though that person was you and you had just bought an old set and polished them up. Now if all your claims about your game are true then how come you haven't.

Well, I'm on the fence on this one, so more evidence is needed, maybe I should have said that. Opening the balls up isn't as easy at TCs IMO. But no two players cue the same so I'm not going to make claims about a sample of 1, that being me; self-analysis is fraught with difficulty dear boy, as Freud pointed out. It would be nice if Tom147 was to test this out.

* the other issue I've got is mean weight; 139g. They seem light to me so this raises doubt as to the applicability of me testing them for comparison. Hmmmm

RE: Nylon and Poly; don't go anywhere near these balls. They play fine for the first frame but then blemish and scuff on any stun or deep screw. You don't want to polish them after every use and that's why Aramith don't make balls, even budget balls out of this stuff.

[vmax4steve]

Well, I'm on the fence on this one, so more evidence is needed, maybe I should have said that. Opening the balls up isn't as easy at TCs IMO. But no two players cue the same so I'm not going to make claims about a sample of 1, that being me; self-analysis is fraught with difficulty dear boy, as Freud pointed out. It would be nice if Tom147 was to test this out.

* the other issue I've got is mean weight; 139g. They seem light to me so this raises doubt as to the applicability of me testing them for comparison.

If Tom147 did a test then it would still be a sample of one, and light balls would kick even more on slow run throughs, as do the premier PR's, so your mean average weighted 139 gramme balls would be a good test, even though two grammes is sod all really.

I've just got back from a two hour practise session with my SC balls and they kicked a couple of times only due to chalk on the cue ball, didn't make any big breaks though, I'm not a century breaker, managed to run one line up with two misses, but the others didn't come near. I'm not bragging about my game, just saying that SC balls don't kick for me, and as I'm not a century breaker my cue action obviously isn't the best so that can't be the reason for not getting kicks, the club cloth has a good nap on it, no table heater and there's rain in the air this afternoon so the table was slower than last week, not brushed or ironed, but still only two kicks in two hours, and not one bad contact either.

League match on friday past (rain in the air) on the same table, brushed and ironed, but using the clubs set of TC match balls, kicks and the dull thud of bad contacts all six bloody frames, and I only played two of them. Now according to your theory I cue well with SC balls but badly with PR balls even though I'm the same person, using the same cue with the same chalk on the same tip on the same table.

What would my pointed eared little vulcan friend make of that ?

[Cannonball]

Are you suggesting that triple-D (Dr. Desperate Dave) is really Spock?

[Hello, Mr Big Shot]

Are you suggesting that triple-D (Dr. Desperate Dave) is really Spock?

That's mister Spock to the likes of you.

[Hello, Mr Big Shot]

If Tom147 did a test then it would still be a sample of one, and light balls would kick even more on slow run throughs, as do the premier PR's, so your mean average weighted 139 gramme balls would be a good test, even though two grammes is sod all really.

I've just got back from a two hour practise session with my SC balls and they kicked a couple of times only due to chalk on the cue ball, didn't make any big breaks though, I'm not a century breaker, managed to run one line up with two misses, but the others didn't come near. I'm not bragging about my game, just saying that SC balls don't kick for me, and as I'm not a century breaker my cue action obviously isn't the best so that can't be the reason for not getting kicks, the club cloth has a good nap on it, no table heater and there's rain in the air this afternoon so the table was slower than last week, not brushed or ironed, but still only two kicks in two hours, and not one bad contact either.

League match on friday past (rain in the air) on the same table, brushed and ironed, but using the clubs set of TC match balls, kicks and the dull thud of bad contacts all six bloody frames, and I only played two of them. Now according to your theory I cue well with SC balls but badly with PR balls even though I'm the same person, using the same cue with the same chalk on the same tip on the same table.

What would my pointed eared little vulcan friend make of that ?

I think it's more helpful with this to concentrate solely on the pro game, as conditions are replicated pretty exactly.

Frankly, what happens on a wet Wednesday afternoon at your club in the south west is neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things.

[vmax4steve]

I think it's more helpful with this to concentrate solely on the pro game, as conditions are replicated pretty exactly.

Frankly, what happens on a wet Wednesday afternoon at your club in the south west is neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things.

The people who run the pro game simply will not listen, Aramith have them in their pockets. Tell you what, next time there's a pro tourney on BBC I'll email Hazel and let her know that I have the answer to the kicks problem, might just ask for her phone number too
Reckon it will be a no on both counts.

[djax]

I

The people who run the pro game simply will not listen, Aramith have them in their pockets. Tell you what, next time there's a pro tourney on BBC I'll email Hazel and let her know that I have the answer to the kicks problem, might just ask for her phone number too
Reckon it will be a no on both counts.

It maybe a "No" from Hazll VMax, but it's a yes you're correct from me. I've followed this thread with great interest. Having a snooker room with high humidity levels because of it's situation, I find with TC's that I suffered an inordinate amount of kicks (possibly due to moist chalk and tips)? So when VM suggested SC's could be a problem solver? I decided to give it a go. Procured an unmarked set, for the last week (which has seen very high humidity levels) 80% in my room, only one kick to report. Admittedly these SC's require more effort and accordingly I'm having to adjust my cueing, but they do feel more controllable also. I'm sticking with them.

[Cannonball]

The people who run the pro game simply will not listen, Aramith have them in their pockets. Tell you what, next time there's a pro tourney on BBC I'll email Hazel and let her know that I have the answer to the kicks problem, might just ask for her phone number too
Reckon it will be a no on both counts.

She's never held a cue in her life; knows nothing about the game. That's why her constant line 'can you put this win into context....' is so laughable.

@Djax, what you have written is very interesting. I didn't realise Hull was so humid; is this a basement?

VMax, do Aramith own the patent for actual SC ingredients? And when was the SC first patented?

[djax]

She's never held a cue in her life; knows nothing about the game. That's why her constant line 'can you put this win into context....' is so laughable.

@Djax, what you have written is very interesting. I didn't realise Hull was so humid; is this a basement?

VMax, do Aramith own the patent for actual SC ingredients? And when was the SC first patented?

Cannonball, Hull has always had high humidity levels because of it's situ (large areas below sea level) However in my scenario, the snooker room is part of my outbuildings. On two sides, the land is higher than the room floor level. Giving I guess a basement effect, even though it's only about 3 feet higher. Except when it's very warm, I tend to leave the gas fire on in there all year round - on the lowest setting. Anyone, ideas on reducing moisture levels without having to resort to AC?

Ps. Table is covered with new Hainsworth Match for last 2 months. Less kicks than previous Strachan.

[Cannonball]

Cannonball, Hull has always had high humidity levels because of it's situ (large areas below sea level) However in my scenario, the snooker room is part of my outbuildings. On two sides, the land is higher than the room floor level. Giving I guess a basement effect, even though it's only about 3 feet higher. Except when it's very warm, I tend to leave the gas fire on in there all year round - on the lowest setting. Anyone, ideas on reducing moisture levels without having to resort to AC?

Ps. Table is covered with new Hainsworth Match for last 2 months. Less kicks than previous Strachan.

I never knew this stuff about Hull, thanks. Yeah, we're all coming round to the idea of Hainsworth cloths mate. But what you've said is instructive nonetheless. Hairier Strachan cloths ain't the best anymore. Have you tried a de-humidifier in the room?

http://www.johnlewis.com/meaco-10l-d...=c&tmcampid=73

[djax]

I never knew this stuff about Hull, thanks. Yeah, we're all coming round to the idea of Hainsworth cloths mate. But what you've said is instructive nonetheless. Hairier Strachan cloths ain't the best anymore. Have you tried a de-humidifier in the room?

http://www.johnlewis.com/meaco-10l-d...=c&tmcampid=73

Bloody bell Cannonball, sometimes you don't see the wood for the tree's. Never crossed my mind - Dooh. Off tomorrow to sort one out. Thanks for your insight.

Ps. Hainsworth, even though new on, is quicker than Strachan, I was always a Strachan purchaser, gotta say it's the former for me from now on.