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Factors affecting table performance
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Quality of cloth is essential
A quality well maintained cloth is one of the most
essential ingredients in delivering a pleasurable pool
experience. Every shot feels so much better on a good
cloth and players quickly improve their potting and
positioning skills. The cloth will last a long time and
retain its game enhancing characteristics through correct
and regular cloth maintenance.
Cloth fitting
Your pool cloth should always be fitted by a qualified or
experienced fitter. A poorly fitted cloth will slow down
ball speed, create abnormalities in the playing area and
cause uneven, premature wearing. A well fitted cloth will
always feel tight on the slate. The cloth must have even
tension over the slate to create a smooth and equal
playing surface. The cushion cloth should be fitted
tightly but with even tension over the cushion
rubber do not fit too tightly, or the nose of the
cushion rubber will be pulled down.
Cushions
Good quality cushions will always produce the best ball
response. They should be bolted tightly to the table and
set flush against the bed in order for the balls to
rebound correctly. Faulty or badly set cushions are known
as dead cushions as they achieve a poor ball response.
Cushion rubbers have a limited life span of approximately
10 years. If your rubbers are past their best or you have
poor quality ones fitted, this will decrease the balls
rebound speed - these cushions must be identified and
replaced by your operator.
Humidity
Wool is hygroscopic, a natural characteristic that
allows it to absorb and release moisture in the air - it
can absorb 30% of it's own weight and not feel wet to the
touch! The higher the moisture content the slower the
cloth will play. Humid conditions afso tend to lessen the
effects of screw and side on the cue hall. The recommended
humidity for playing conditions is 50%. Your table should
ideally be in a warm, dry environment kept at a constant
room temperature of between 15 - 20°c. If
your cloth becomes too dry and warm, the wool fibres
become brittle and will wear prematurely.
Table level
Occasionally tables need to be re-levelled as they can
become slightly unbalanced over a period of time for a
variety of reasons. The playing surface should be
perfectly horizontal in order for the balls to run true
- the table has beeome
un-level if balls start pulling strongly in one direction
when slowing down. This can be simply rectjfied using a
quality spirit level and adjusting the height of the feet.
If in doubt, your operator can level it for you when they
next visit.
Balls
Always use clean undamaged balls for the perfeet game.
Damaged or dirty balls will slow down play, wear the cloth
and will not run true, causing shots to be inaccurate,
lessening the playing pleasure!
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