Tip of the Month

'Spots'

Which at some time or another all members have played hell about.

All spots in the past were made of pure silk - which unfortunately are no longer available to the trade, we are therefor obliged to use paper spots and whilst these are as thin as possible they do not really compare with silk! for silk became part of the cloths when brushing of the table took place any dirt was brushed through the spots - this is not possible with paper ones, hence the ball rolling 'off' the spots and hence part reason for service visits.

Questions asked by members:- Why can't we have tables with no spots like on television?

Answer:- The reason for spots on tables are not to show a player where to place the balls, for as everyone knows a cross (+) will do! The reason is to stop the bedcloths from wearing - on T.V. it does not matter because they are only playing on the cloths for one week and not two years (or more). Therefore, if a club decides not to replace after two years in effect the spots could be removed for the third season, but the problem then arises that the players are used to having no spots and assume that it is alright not to have them when next recovered.

Lastly, if responsible members could educate every player within their own club to place the balls (not drop them) on the table away from the spots and roll the ball inot position then quite rightly there would be no need for 'spots' at all, but do you think you can get all your members to do so? I DOUBT IT! Just as you can't get them to realise that any damage done to the tables, is not the clubs money thats used to repair them, ITS THEIRS !