How does a coin operated pool table know to pass the cue ball and hold the rest?

Question

How does a coin operated pool table know to pass the cue ball and hold the rest?

Answer 1

The cue ball is heavier than the other balls.  When it goes in the pocket, the weight of the ball triggers something that sends it to the cue hole instead of the ball repository.  Pick up a cue ball in one hand and a regular ball in the other and you'll see the weight difference.

Answer 2

The cue ball is heavier.

Answer 3

There are two ways it works older tables use a bigger ball which is 2 3/8"  thats a 1/4" bigger than a standard ball. The other way is a magnetic ball that work sensors in the table to open or close the cue ball chute.

Answer 4

The cue ball is in most cases is heavier (either due to size or an added weight) and it rolls over a "scale", when the heavier cue ball passes over it, it drops sending it in another direction. All other ball are not heavy enough to tip the scale and therefore go the other way.

There are also cue balls that work pretty much the same way, but with a magnetic principle instead. The magnetic cue balls are less common.

Answer 5

Its a sad but true story. The cue ball being white is racist. It refuses to go into the hopper with the rest of the balls of color. The international pool society is considering changing the the cue ball to "clear" which will make it represent no color thus eliminating this awful biased. Hopefully this correction will occur soon. Yours in nine ball,

  Sock Pocketus.

Answer 6

Look at the cue ball, it is bigger than all the rest.  The cue ball doesn't fit in the route for the other balls.

Answer 7

Take it from someone that has a coin operated table. The cue ball is smaller than the other balls. If you've ever been to a larger tournament, you'll see the tables opened because they use what is called a red-dot cue ball. It is larger and lighter for better control.

Answer 8

The weight is different.

Answer 9

different size

Answer 10

The cue ball is a slightly larger diameter so it does not roll down the rails to with the rest of the balls.  Since is does not drop down like the others, it passes the drop and rolls down to the cue ball return.  A heavier ball and a scale would be subject to miscalibration, especially with the abuse a public table takes.

Answer 11

The cue ball is heavier than the rest of the balls

Answer 12

DJ has it right on the money. I just want to add that the magnetic cue balls suck. A lot of them get thrown away because the magnetic piece in the center of the ball is not centered perfectly and the ball does not roll correctly.

Answer 13

there is a magical little person in the pool table and he watches as all the balls roll by. he gets paid $5.35 an hour

Answer 14

It is smaller.