Like with any hobby or sport we put money into, we want to know how long our equipment will last. The same can be said for us pool players who have put hundreds, if not thousands of dollars into our equipment, billiard balls included. And because billiard balls take so much abuse at the table, its natural to wonder it they’ll ever wear out. So do they?
Yes, billiard balls can wear out over time, although the rate at which this happens depends on various factors including the quality of the balls, the material they are made from, how frequently they are used, and how well they are maintained. Here are some ways billiard balls can wear out:Material Degradation
Surface Wear
Shape Deformation
With extended use, billiard balls can become slightly out-of-round, which can affect their roll and playability.
Color Fading
Especially in the case of lower-quality balls or those exposed to sunlight, the colors can fade over time.
Replacing the Cue Ball
Whether you are a novice who likes to rack them up on the weekends or an advanced enthusiastic competing regularly, there are a lot of questions pertaining to the quality and general care of your equipment including the billiard balls.
Japer Bees Deluxe
The Japer Bees Deluxe set costs around $40 and uses A-grade resin that holds up well for home tables, lasting 3-5 years with regular play. To help you better understand when and how billiard balls wear out, we have put together this informational guide to explain how to keep billiard balls from wearing out, how long they normally last, when to replace them, and with which options.
Billiard balls wear out due to the friction produced during the shot. Cue balls tend to wear out faster because they’re used for every shot and are struck with the cue tip, whereas the object balls don’t receive as much abuse.
In Conclusion
However, in order to fully understand why billiard balls wear out you need to understand the three biggest influencers on billiard ball wear and tear:
Depending on the quality of the balls being used, how often you play, and the environmental conditions they’re exposed to, billiard balls last between one to three years. High quality billiard balls made from phenolic resin, however, will last much longer before needing to be replaced, usually between five to eight years.
Another factor that affects how long your billiard balls will last is the condition of your pool table felt. A dirty playing surface will create more friction and therefore cause your balls to wear our faster.
That said, keeping your table clean can help delay the time it takes before your billiard balls wear out.
In summary, high quality billiard balls made from phenolic resin last longer than those made from polyester materials. Keeping your billiard balls away from adverse environmental conditions such as excessive heat or sunlight can increase their lifespan. And playing often will cause your billiard balls to wear out faster, regardless of their quality.
All billiard balls will eventually wear out, regardless of what preventive measures you put in place. However, there are certain things you can do to extend their lifespan. Here’s what you should do to get the most out of your current set.
Worth checking out: The gold standard in pool balls, take a look at the Aramith Pure Phenolic Pool Balls on Amazon.
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