What are the differences among commonly used cue balls?
For CB weight differences, see the ball weight/size difference effects page.
from sfleinen (in AZB post):
Blue Dot — This is a generic “old time” cue ball … be careful, because this ball is slightly lighter than the object balls, and is a bit “zingey” (especially with draw). The Blue Circle ball is better to use than the Blue Dot ball. Speaking of which…
Blue Circle — This is the cue ball delivered with a genuine set of Brunswick (Saluc) Centennials. This is probably the most favorite cue ball … neck-and-neck with the Aramith Pro Cup (measles) cue ball
Red Dot (also see the quote from Michael Gaughan below) — this is a HEAVYWEIGHT (6.75 ounces!) cue ball used on [older] Dynamo barboxes (the ones that differentiated the cue ball from the object balls by its sheer weight). This cue ball is at least a full ounce HEAVIER than the object balls, so that it is able to trip the “trap door” inside the [older] Dynamo tables for the cue ball return. Because of this, perfect stop shots are IMPOSSIBLE with this cue ball, because of the “heavier mass hitting a lighter mass” physics problem — the object ball is not heavy enough to absorb all the kinetic energy away from the cue ball, and thus the cue ball lunges forward a bit after contact with the object ball, even with a good stop-shot stroke, and even if a little bit of draw is applied (the cue ball will lunge forward a bit, then roll backwards with the draw spin).
Red Circle — It’s properly known as the Aramith Red Circle cue ball. This is a standalone cue ball product from Aramith (it is offered standalone only, and is not bundled with any of Aramith’s full ball sets). This cue ball is a bit lighter in weight than the object balls, and is therefore a favorite of 9-ballers, because “it makes it easier for them to move the rock around” (especially with draw).
“Measles” (“red-dotted” or “red-spotted”) ball — This is the Aramith Pro Cup ball seen (and used) at tournaments, on TV, etc. This ball weighs exactly the same as the object balls, just like the Brunswick (Saluc) Centennial blue circle ball. … Be careful, though, for there are “measles ball knockoffs” out there that are not the same thing. An easy way to tell the knockoffs, is that they usually have eight (8) red spots instead of Aramith’s trademarked six (6) red spots.
from Michael Gaughan, Valley-Dynamo Parts Manager (via e-mail), in response to sfleinen’s quote above concerning “Red Dot” balls:
In 1993 Dynamo began phasing out this ball in favor of a magnetic separator; and by 1995, all Dynamo coin tables used magnetic separation.
from DogsPlayingPool (in AZB post):
According to this the Red Logo, Blue Circle, and Measle are all the same ball. They are made from the same resin (Super Aramith Pro) and obviously are all regulation size and weight.
from sfleinen (in AZB post):
What’s truly bizarre, is that only several years ago, all three of these cue balls were indeed different — different weights and different compositions. You can just *look* at each of these three balls, and see the differences in opacity and color, nevermind the obvious differences you notice when you put the cue balls on the scale.
What I think happened of late, is that the Saluc factory, in the spirit of absorbing their “acquisitions” (e.g. Brunswick’s and Aramith’s products), have decided to standardize all the products.
from sfleinen (in AZB post):
… a lighter cue ball [is] undesirable in 14.1 (e.g. because of reduced ability to “hold” it [it “wants” to zing around], as well as the propensity to glance off the rack and clusters at weird angles).
Dr. Dave keeps this site commercial free, with no ads. If you appreciate the free resources, please consider making a one-time or monthly donation to show your support: