How is it that some pool tables are able to tell the difference between a numbered ball and the cue ball?

robboy

This puzzled me for a long time, too. I, like many others, figured the cue ball was slightly different in size, but since have found out it's about a metal core in it that gets attracted by a magnet which redirects the ball to the break end of the table instead of retaining it like the numbered balls. http://www.rantsinyourpants.com/2003soapbox/soapbox_mar.htm Nov 10 07, 8:35 AM

MonkeyOnALeash

Only in "pay per game" machines. The cue (White Ball) is slightly smaller. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billiard_ball http://i2.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/86/11/89a9_1_bl.JPG Nov 10 07, 8:40 AM

robboy

If anything, it's actually slightly larger, since a smaller ball would follow along with the object balls. Similar in coin sorters. The better tables use the mag system because it ensures the uniform size of all the balls. http://ezinearticles.com/?Coin-Operated-Pool-Tables&id=354375 Nov 10 07, 10:06 AM

star_gazer

But I've seen cheap "rescued from the trash" pool tables that know the difference between a cue ball and a numbered ball. Nov 10 07, 11:12 AM

MonkeyOnALeash

" Most manufacturers that supply this market provide 2 in. (5.08 cm) object balls and 17⁄8 in. (4.76 cm) cue balls. Coin-operated pub tables often use cue balls that are smaller than the object balls, so that the ball return mechanism can distinguish them. " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billiard_ball It is a contradictory article! " Coin-operated pool tables such as those found at bars and college campuses historically have often used either a larger ("grapefruit") or denser ("rock", typically ceramic) cue ball, such that its extra weight makes it easy for the cue ball return mechanism to separate it from object balls (which are captured until the game ends and the table is paid again for another game) so that the cue ball can be returned for further play, should it be accidentally pocketed. Rarely in the US, some pool tables use a smaller cue ball instead. Modern tables usually employ a magnetic ball of regulation or near-regulation size and weight, since players have rightly complained for many decades that the heavy and often over-sized cue balls do not "play" correctly. " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billiard_ball Nov 10 07, 11:52 AM

star_gazer

A cue ball is smaller than a pool ball, so that it can be automatically recovered whenever it is potted. A cue ball is 4.75 cm in diameter, while pool balls are 5.03 cm. This small difference in diameter makes little difference in appearance. A smaller diameter causes an exponentially lesser volume. A cue ball is 10.52 ml smaller than a pool ball. Nov 10 07, 6:56 PM