Dear Mr. Karnehm,
In issue 4 (January 1997), I read a letter on the topic of billiard balls. This has Eire become very relevant to me of late, after the purchase of a new set of balls. The previous set were Super Crystalate and I was informed by Reilly Ireland that these were no longer available and I have purchased their replacement, Tournament Champion.
I find that this new set throws the correct angles, and don't have the same tendency to "fly" as the Super Crystalates did.
I would like to know and hear from the manufacturer on this subject. Do they provide any details on their new product and the differences between Super Crystalate and Tournament Champion balls?
The previous writer to the magazine on this subject indicated the cost of three different ball types; Super Crystalate, Tournament Champion and Club at £30, £20 and £10 respectively.
Yours faithfully, Robert Purcell
P.S. I enjoy your publication immensely and congratulate the editor and publisher on their fine work in your first full year of publication.
My article this quarter is given over to a reply to Mr. Robert Purcell of Eire, regarding the differences in billiard balls which I have experienced throughout my career.
My father played with ivories in the twenties so I had quite a deal of time with them, until 1925 when he bought a bonzoline set, which I thought were fine with their greater consistency; not so my dad, who had grown to love the ivories. Change has always created for and against; however, when the Crystalate balls arrived they were accepted and the benefits quickly improved the performance of play during the golden era of billiards up to the late 1930's. I believe the Crystalate ball was the best ever and at least for billiards should never have been changed. I believe the reasoning was that after the war, certain ingredients were needed for other articles of manufacture and the new resin-type ball was produced around 1973, the Super Crystalate ball. At least that was what was said. It was lighter (approximately ¼ oz), which for billiard players in general was a disaster, making the basic red ball play for club players more risky and less reliable. The general opinion amongst the leading billiard players at that time was not favourable.
From my book "Understanding Billiards & Snooker" (1976), I wrote:
"At the present, the new ball, the Super Crystalate, has been in use for almost three years. Although championships are being played with them, many clubs and premises are still using the old Crystalate ball. The new lighter ball has gained favour mainly with snooker because it permits greater screw power and this naturally enough makes the average player feel pretty good, because he can now move the cue ball about in a way that was possible before by top players, but not easy for lesser mortals."
The successful use of side has been made more difficult when potting because of the weight factor which allows the cue ball to be pushed off line more than the old ball, with off centre striking.
On the other hand, fine cuts have become easier. The top table play is now more controllable for the knowledgeable player. I am quite sure bigger breaks are now possible if players apply method and good thinking to their game.
Against this, the open player has to be more careful with his long losers and side shots. The lighter ball can wander on long slow shots, especially on roughed up finger marks.
Floating the cue ball playing drop cannons is more dangerous for second ball contacts. Spin is not held by the cue ball at strength for so long when travelling the length of the table, which in some respects takes a certain amount of charm from the game, so we have for and against. I do not wish to take sides but I would say this; I hope for the game's sake, which is the most important factor by far, that change will not continue to take place which alters the nature of the game whereby scoring becomes too easy and spoils the skills to satisfy the thirst for easy accomplishment. Anything too easily mastered is not really worth having. My advice to players generally is to play more gently. Stroke the cue ball instead of hitting it. Super Crystalate balls demand quality cueing. They can improve your game if by controlling yourself you can eliminate the extravagance of force. My opinions have not changed.
Unfortunately, it seems that billiard players now have to play on conditions governed by snooker requirements which in the process is eliminating the skills required to produce the art of billiards as it was intended in its golden years. Such is progress! After all, every facet of every game played on a billiard table is contained within the game of English billiards.
I still find the Aramith balls (i.e. red, white and yellow) not as consistent as the Crystalate, but I presume there is no turning back, in which case I have strong thoughts on what I would like to happen for billiards.
I have experimented for many hours on ball reaction from the practical point and have been amazed at my findings; the proof of the pudding is in the eating.