Valley Table Care and the Top 5 Ways Pool Table Rails Affect Gameplay

Pool table rails are an essential part of the game. They can affect the trajectory of the balls, how they bounce off the cushion, and ultimately how your game plays out. Casual players might not pay much attention to these differences, but if you play often and play well, you know the importance of high-quality rails.

How Pool Table Rails Affect Gameplay

Table rails and their many characteristics can affect game progress and even neutralize skill. Some of the traits to watch out for include height, firmness, and overall quality.

1. English

The hardness of the rails' cushion will determine how much your English works as the ball bounces off the cushion. Softer cushions allow for more spin effect, while harder ones limit it.

2. Game Speed

If the rails are too high, or too low, some of the energy from the bounce is used in a non-linear direction, thus reducing the distance a ball will bounce. If the rails are out of alignment by as little as an eighth of an inch, you could see balls ‘jump’ as they rebound from the rail.  

3. Sound

If the rails are too hard, the balls will make a loud noise when they hit them. Note that some people find the sounds distracting at a pub or even at home. Loose or ‘dead’ rails will also have a different sound to them, often producing less bounce. 

4. Angle of the Cue Stick

If the rails are too high, you might struggle to hit the cue ball well. The pool table rails define the playing surface and provide a resting place and angle restriction for the cue stick.

5. Ball Trajectory

The quality and firmness of the pool rails dictate how the balls respond to striking the rails and the angle the balls then travel. A pool table with well-crafted rails will see the ball rebound consistently and predictably.

How To Care for Valley Pool Tables

Caring for a Valley pool table at home is exponentially easier than caring for a coin-operated model at a bar. Consider these tips for both types of pool tables.

1. Use the Table Often

The more you use your pool table, the better it will play. The felt gets stretched and compressed with each game, which helps it maintain its shape and consistency. Regular use also preserves the rubber in the pool table rails.

2. Avoid Extreme Heat or Humidity

Extreme heat or humidity can warp pool table wood, which means the rails might not fit as snugly as they should. It can also cause the pool table felt to shrink, which will affect gameplay. If your table is in your basement - consider a dehumidifier, if you feel your cloth is slower than at your local pool hall (humidity/moisture will slow your table down)

3. Clean the Pool Table Regularly

Clean your pool table regularly to keep it in top condition. You can use a vacuum cleaner with a SOFT brush attachment to remove dust and dirt from the pool table felt.

4. Hire Professionals

You can DIY many of the pool repair and maintenance tasks. However, hiring professionals ensures the work gets done right and preserves your table's quality, value, and gameplay. Whether you hire a professional or DIY your repairs, you can find everything you need online.

Why Choose Penguin Amusements for Your Pool Table Rails Needs

We provide a wide range of replacement parts and maintenance products for pool tables. Every day, we are excited to do what we love and to serve homeowners and businesses in Michigan and across the U.S. Contact us for more information about our work and our pool table rails.

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