Do billiard balls go bad?

Question

At the break, the balls seem to stay clustered moreso than on other tables. I thought my rails or bumpers had lost spring, but it seems more likely that the balls are dead as they don't have a lot of action from the rackpoint. Do billiard balls have a rubber or cork core like other types of balls i.e. golf and baseball?

Answer 1

I'm still using a set of snooker balls my grandfather bought back when Simpsons opened (Pre-Sears).  

So, I'm going with no.  It's a possibility your cloth is worn, also.

Answer 2

Billiard balls can vary quite a bit depending on manufacturer and the product line.  But, I wouldn't say that they go bad.  

They can go "out of round" and wear with age.  More commonly, balls stick together and increase the friction at the contact points if they are not cleaned.  I suppose that it may be possible for UV light to have some effect on the way the ball plays.  It can certainly cause discoloration.  That takes many years of normal use though.

My thoughts on the problem and possible causes...

The person with the rack in their hands is the single biggest factor.

Slow cloth or worn cloth is a big factor in the amount of action and the ability to get a decent rack to sit on the table.  (I think they should Taser anyone who taps a ball into the footspot.)  If the rack area looks worn, that will slow down the reaction of the balls.

Weight of the balls can have a big effect, particularly the weight of the cue ball in relation to that of the object balls.  And, for that matter, the weight of the balls in relation to each other.  Billiard ball sets are usually matched up to reduce the weight differences.  However, as soon as they hit the pool hall, that goes out the window.  There can be some relatively large differences in the weights of the balls.

As you said, cushions have a big effect.

The cleanliness of the balls and the cloth is also a factor.

The last thing that I can think of at the moment, humidity and temperature.  Cold and damp is not good conditions for humans or pool tables.

Answer 3

The best billiard balls made today are made of phenolic resin.  The two best sets of balls on the market today are Brunswick Centennial balls and Aramith Super Pro balls made by the Saluc company of Belgium.  The roundness of these balls are so perfect that the diameter in uniform throughout the ball up to a tolerance of +/- .005 inch.  These balls resist scratches, scuffs, dimples, and the colors won't fade.  The cheaper balls that you'll likely see on bar tables are made of polyester.  You can usually spot them by the dull finish (not that they've ever been polished anyway) and the faded colors.  Billiards balls do not have a rubber or cork core.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 4

Modern billiard balls are most often made from phenolic resin.

Answer 5

No they do not uless you have really cheap balls. You want phenolic. My guess is that if your rails seem dead they might be. Do you or others sit on the rails? If yes, you can affect them by pulling the rubber away from their support. Also, if your felt is loose on the rails and table, that too will affect it your play. Good maintainence is a must.

Answer 6

no not i know of