I'm an avid pool player, and I was curious. Does the COLOR of the felt on the table affect your pool game.

Question

I know there are several factors against you on a pool table. Such as, table roll, felt density, bumpers, etc. But what I am really curious about is; if the color of the felt can change your game as well. I've played on green, blue, tan, red, burgandy, peach, and purple felted tables. I won't tell you which one I'm curious about, but one of those colors, seem to make it harder for me to see the shot. Is this just something with my own eyes, or is this something that affects everyone.

Answer 1

Just brush the felt off the CLOTH and dont worry about it -or its cloth not felt

But no not that I can tell I have played on a few that had a logo printed on them that messed with me a little

The color does not really matter but I dont like red just dont look right

A lighter color will hurt because it does not define the edges of the balls as well I would hate to play on light yellow cloth

Answer 2

First of all, good question.  I always tell my students that your eyes are what control your pool game.  Just a point of clarification, it's "cloth" not "felt".  Different colors of cloth can affect your game in two main ways.  First of all, colors like red and orange can be harder on your eyes when playing for any length of time.  "Cooler" colors like green and blue are easy to look at for longer periods.  Secondly, people often use different colors of chalk to correspond to the color of the cloth.  I'm not sure exactly why, but there is a difference in the quality of red chalk vs. the standard blue chalk.  I don't know if they use a different kind of silica compound or the dye itself makes the chalk crumble differently, but even if it's top of the line like Master's chalk, I won't put anything other than blue on my tip.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 3

no. my dad is an above average player. he has played on all of those colors except for peach. but it's not the color of the felt, its the light that makes it seem difficult. because the light might not be bright enough to make a darker color felt stand out. would it happen to be burgandy? because he has played on a burgandy table, but has learned to overcome the colors. just look at it from different angles, try standing over the balls.

as you can tell, i ask him about pool alot!

hope this helps

Answer 4

The first time I played on a color other than green I thought the same thing, about how would it effect my aiming, etc.

Then one of my teammates brought to my attention that the "pockets are still in the same place".

After a few minutes warm-up practice, before the night's matches began, I had no problems. (I don't believe in the physiological factor unless it's in my favor.)

I will say that it took a few minutes longer to settle with the black cloth. In the shadows the pockets seemed smaller. But, again, after a few minutes of warming up I felt comfortable.

Answer 5

The only significant thing I've noticed is seeing the edges of the balls on certain color tables.  Namely, I played on a light blue cloth and the 2 ball was more difficult to aim at.  The majority of my playing has been done on green or tan/yellow cloth, which hasn't caused me too many issues, or maybe I'm just more used to them.

Answer 6

well i hwve only played on green tan and red red wuz the hardest 4 me b/c i think that the color distracts u and the green and tan are moe bland so it makes it easier (red was the hardest)

Answer 7

Anything and everything I would think technically effects ones game....like the tip I referred to in an earlier question....new strange hall....one needs to get there early and just check out the lighting and tables...you and your opponent will be playing under the same conditions but if he is a local and more familiar with the tables he would have an advantage over you....get there early and just throw some balls out there and go thru the same practice routine that you do at home and then you won't have any excuses....."oh the lighting was bad"...."oh the felt was slow"....."oh my cat scratched me and it effected my game"........get there early and run some balls!