When playing pool, and you get a scratch, how does it know to send the white ball back?

Question

How does it decipher the difference between the balls?

Answer 1

Depends on the table. Some have a cue ball that is larger than the object balls (this ball is usually refered to as a "rock"),

Some rely on magnet to move the cue which have a metal center. Other have a cue ball that is heaver than the object balls (this cue is sometimes also called a "rock").

Most good players perfer a cue ball that is identical in size and weight to the object balls. These give better ball control and take "english" or spin better.

Answer 2

Go Johnny Go ...........Johnny B. Goode Tonight!

Answer 3

The white ball weighs slightly differently than the others and the table can detect the difference.

Answer 4

There are 3 different ways.  Size, metal core and red dot.  The cue ball is either bigger, or smaller and therefore different weight, magnetically with a metal core or by red markings on the cue ball.

Answer 5

The white ball weighs alittle more, plus it is usally a little bit bigger in size so that is how it knows to send the white ball back  to a different area than the colored balls.

Answer 6

Magic!! Or it could be a metal core in the cue ball and a magnet in the rail of the ball return

All mine have the second one

the metal core is why most bar boxes have such lousey cue balls

The weight is pretty close to the same and has no effect on ball return. 30 years ago the Q was quite a bit larger but not lately