After using a coin-operated table for the first time, you may be surprised that after you scratched, the cue ball alone would always return to play. How does this work?
By using a magnetic cue ball, a different weighted cue ball, or a different-sized cue balls, depending on the table.
For those of you not familiar with coin-operated pool tables, all the balls are held inside the table until the correct number of coins are inserted. After inserting your coins and pushing the lever into the machine, the balls roll out into an accessible ball box at the end of the table. As each ball is hit into a pocket during game play, it rolls down a simple system of internal chutes that return it to a storage area on the side of the table where you can see the balls through a plexiglass window on the ball box door. The balls are then contained until the game is over and more money is inserted.
However, since it’s common to scratch by sinking the cue ball, there has to be a system for returning just that one ball. Otherwise, the game would be over the first time anybody scratched.
Some tables use cue balls that are a different size from the colored/numbered balls. This system works fairly well, although some players allege that having a larger diameter cue ball throws off their shots and changes the dynamics of the game.
Magnetic cue ball return systems rely on a magnetic cue ball. The magnetic cue ball is repelled by another magnet inside the table’s internal chutes. The repelling action of the magnets push the ball, sending the cue ball into a separate path that returns it to the player. This system works very well. Magnetic cue balls are regulation size and weight and unlikely to affect play.
By Melissa Buchanan
Filed under: Announcements by admin | Comments Off on How do coin operated pool tables work?
The company you choose to install the felt on your pool table is a very important choice! An improper felt installation can result in wrinkles in your felt, which are not only unsightly, but can affect the table’s play. If the felt is too loose, it wrinkles. If it’s too tight, it can rip. If it’s installed improperly on the rails, it can actually pull and permanently warp the cushions/cushions. To see one example of a badly felted table, click here. Did you know the technique used to install one felt can be completely different when installing another? Simonis cloth uses a very specific installation process and if you don’t know what that process is, you can end up with visible lines all over the table. We know how important your table is to you. Your felt is a key component for a flawless playing surface. Choose Absolute Billiard Services today and you won’t need us again for years!
By Melissa Buchanan
Filed under: Announcements by admin | Comments Off on What happens if the felt is installed incorrectly?
We offer billiard slate crating services, also known as ‘crating your slate’. We can breakdown any 3 piece slate pool table and package the slate in our signature crating designed specifically for safe and secure transport. This is mandatory for most reputable moving service companies. They will not take on the liability of transporting any billiard slate unless crated properly. We are the best when it comes to providing customized slate crating services. Every crate is built onsite to ensure a custom fit for your specific billiard slate.
By Melissa Buchanan
Filed under: Announcements by admin | Comments Off on What is ‘crating your slate’?
Properly stretching the table felt and using exact leveling techniques takes experience and skill, and no two scenarios are ever the same. Brett has 12 jobs a week for 12 straight years under his belt and he can tell you directly every table is a little different. Our 12 years of experience has resulted in our prompt adaptability, refined techniques, and ABSOLUTELY precise results. Pool table installations require special care and technique to ensure protection of your investment from day one.
That’s why we offer you a one year installation guarantee on every table. Whether we are using new felt or your previously installed felt, we offer a one year guarantee that there will be NO wrinkles on the playing surface, in the pockets, or on your rails with regular pool table use. We also guarantee that your table will remain completely level as long as you don’t stand on, sit on, or try to move the table from it’s original installation location. Moving your table can not only completely undo the levelness, but it can create what’s called a slate ridge.
What is a slate ridge? A slate ridge is what happens when a 3 piece slate pool table is stood or sat on, or moved from it’s original installation location. When we install your pool table we use genuine bees wax to seal the seams between each piece of slate. This creates a glass-like surface over the seams ensuring you will feel no transition whatsoever between the two pieces. Any movement of the slates can break this seam and the wax will be pushed up, creating a slate ridge. This can be very easily detected through your felt and affect your game play.
Why not use something harder, like Durham’s Rock Putty? Using bees wax is extremely efficient because of it’s texture. When using something harder, like rock putty, you risk it cracking during game play. During game play sometimes the ball can jump and land directly on the seam. If it’s filled with rock putty, the rock putty can crack very easily, causing a huge mess that takes a lot more to fix than you would imagine.
Why not use candle wax? Candle wax is fragile and shatters easily. Beeswax doesn’t have this characteristic.
By Melissa Buchanan
Filed under: Announcements by admin | Comments Off on Why is professional installation important?
Don’t be fooled by ‘better rates’. We will be the first to tell you that in this industry you get exactly what you pay for.
Make sure you are hiring an actual Pool Table Mover and not just a Moving Company. Check more than one reference. If they cannot give you the phone number of more than one satisfied customer, run.
Check online reviews. We all know that it’s possible for a company to fake online reviews, but it’s also very easy to tell when a review is real or scripted when you’ve read enough of them.
Check Facebook if they have a business page. Can you see pictures of their day to day work? Do they specialize in pool table moving only, or do they specialize in moving ‘heavy things’?
If you’re getting your table recushioned/recushioned, ask if they do the work on site. Some companies will take your rails offsite and return at a later date with no proof that ALL the cushions were replaced.
Check with the ABIA. The ABIA is the sole association that sets the standards for quality and professionalism in the pool and billiard table industry of America. With strict guidelines and quality control checks of all ABIA members, customer satisfaction and quality of craftsmanship are verified only for those who meet their highest standards. There are only two members for every major city. You can see who is a member in your city at www.abiainstallers.com. There you can also see proof of insurance and licensing information.
By Melissa Buchanan
Filed under: Announcements by admin | Comments Off on What should I look for when hiring a pool table installation or moving company?
