Billiard Balls for All Occasions

An average person, who does not play billiards regularly, may not find any difference between a heavy and a light billiard ball but a professional would be able to notice it as soon as it may start effecting his strokes. A billiard ball with the correct weight will show an improvement in the player’s play and control over the ball. Even the material of the ball can attract their attention.

Previously, ivory was the first choice as the material to make billiard balls. It was long lasting with the correct weight, could react to friction and heat well, had a steady speed, and didn’t get burn marks. To get the ivory, elephants had to be slaughtered and to kill them only for this purpose rightfully attracted a frown from the public. Now, the balls are made with resin that cannot give the right weight and balance which was possible only with ivory. This means that it has become very rare to get ivory balls today and plastic and resin have taken over ivory.

Whether you are playing for the first time or are a professional player, avoid plastic balls since these are not made with solid resin and are not perfect for a game of billiard. They can damage the felt and with time, can get felt burn marks on them. Also, they cannot withstand the severity of a pool game.

So while selecting a set of pool balls, confirm the weight of the ball because it is an important factor of a pool game. If the weight is 5 ounce each ball in a set, then you can go for it. The accurate weight improves the speed of the ball. It won’t take that much energy on each stroke. A ball with accurate weight will have more power when you hit it and will travel a better distance with a lesser powerful stroke. The balance of the ball is also an important factor. A ball with the right balance will ride across the table smoothly in a straight line and thus, provides you with an opportunity for a perfect straight shot and accurate bank shot. If the weight of the ball is not perfect, then it will wobble on the board and you will not get the right angle precision.

Once you get the right balance and weight of the ball that suits your style of playing, you can select one according to its appearance. With the modern technology, resin balls can be made in any appearance you want. Manufacturers are offering balls in many colors and if you want a specific color, they may oblige you and in case you don’t have any specific choice, then you can buy from dozens of designs already available in the market. Regardless of the design or color, buy a set which meets the demand of professionals and will be a wise decision.