How to mark a "measles ball" for practicing Snooker spin

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the creation of a "measles ball" for practicing spin in snooker, specifically focusing on how to accurately place dots on the cue ball to visualize its spin. The scope includes practical methods for marking the ball, as well as considerations related to the dimensions of American Snooker balls.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a simple method for placing six dots on a cue ball to indicate spin direction and amount, noting the lack of availability of such balls for American Snooker.
  • Another participant mentions existing algorithms for placing equidistant points on a sphere but requests practical instructions for marking the ball.
  • A suggestion is made to place dots at the centers of the faces of a circumscribed cube or at the vertices of an inscribed octahedron.
  • One participant proposes creating a box with drilled holes to assist in positioning the ball accurately for marking.
  • There is a discussion about the dimensions of the balls used in American Snooker, confirming they are 2 1/8 inches in diameter.
  • Some participants express surprise at the existence of American Snooker, with one describing it as "sacrilegious" and sharing a personal anecdote about the differences between snooker and pool.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the dimensions of the balls used in American Snooker, but there is a lack of consensus on the best method for marking the balls, with multiple suggestions and approaches presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with the conventions of snooker and American Snooker, which may influence their perspectives on the topic. The discussion includes assumptions about the availability of tools and materials for marking the balls.

dejarnett
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Please excuse me if it's not appropriate to post this question here, but since this group has knowledge of both math and snooker...

I'm wanting to make my own "measles ball" for practicing spin on the cue ball. These are cue balls with 6 dots perfectly/evenly spaced on the ball so you can see which direction and how much it is spinning.

Question is: what is the simplest way to figure out where to place each dot should be drawn?

The reason I don't just buy one is that they don't seem to be available for American Snooker (2 1/8" ball).

Thanks
 
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By the way, I know there are algorithms for placing N equidistant points on a sphere, but what I'm looking for would be instructions on a more practical level like, "draw the first spot, then position the ball so that..."

It's really not that important to me that it be exactly 6 spots, if there's a much simpler way to do this by changing the number, but 6 spots seem to be the standard for some reason. I also have a laser level that I could use to shine 90 degree lines down (cross) on the ball if that would help.
 
dejarnett said:
Question is: what is the simplest way to figure out where to place each dot should be drawn?

At the centers of the faces of the circumscribed cube. (Or equivalently, at the vertices of the inscribed octahedron)
 
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Make a 2 1/8" sided box and drill holes in each face. Place ball in box... Alternatively use proper sized balls.

Cheers
 
Exactly - thanks for the help (correct me if I'm wrong, but for American Snooker, 2 1/8 balls are used)
 
dejarnett said:
Exactly - thanks for the help (correct me if I'm wrong, but for American Snooker, 2 1/8 balls are used)

I didn't know there was such a thing as American Snooker, it's sacrilegious :-)

Cheers
 
Yes, I'm sure 99% of people in the UK would feel that way. Pool is a great game, but I really wish snooker would catch on more in the US.

I have a 10' American Snooker table in my den, and that's the only game my young nephews saw for several years. When they first saw a pool table at a family reunion, the balls and pockets seemed so big that they said, "is this real?"

I'm sure a 12' UK snooker table would be even more challenging, with the 2 1/15 balls and tiny pockets.
 

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