Alright, so I’ve been meaning to share this little project I got myself into. My basement, my sanctuary, you know? It was looking a bit… well, boring. And I’m a massive football guy, live and breathe it. So, I’m looking at my old pool table, and it hits me – those standard pool balls are just so plain. Gotta do something about that, I thought.
The Big Idea and the Hunt
So, I got this idea stuck in my head: NFL pool table balls. Imagine that! Each ball with a different team logo, or maybe my favorite team all over. I figured it’d be a cool touch. So, the hunt began. First place I looked was online, obviously. Typed it in, and boom, a bunch of options popped up. Some looked super cheap and nasty, you know, like the logos would rub off after one game. Others were a bit pricey, made me think twice.
I spent a good few evenings just scrolling, comparing sets. Did I want a full set with all 32 teams? Or just a set themed around the league itself? Decisions, decisions. Some had the team helmets, some just the logos. I was kinda leaning towards the ones that looked like actual billiard balls but with a proper team design, not just a sticker slapped on.
Pulling the Trigger and the Arrival
After way too much hemming and hawing, I finally picked a set. It wasn’t the cheapest, wasn’t the most expensive, but it looked decent from the pictures. Hit the order button and then the waiting game started. You know how it is, checking the tracking every five minutes.
When the box finally arrived, I was pretty eager to rip it open. First impressions? Not bad, actually. The balls had a good weight to them, felt solid, kinda like regular pool balls. The logos were printed on, seemed like they were sealed in pretty well. I got a set that had different NFL team logos on the numbered balls, and the cue ball was like a ref’s flag or something, can’t quite remember, but it was thematic. Checked each one, making sure there were no dings or crappy print jobs. Looked good to go.
Racking ‘Em Up: The First Game
Okay, so the moment of truth. I cleaned off the table, got my trusty cue, and racked ’em up. It definitely looked different, seeing all those NFL logos instead of the usual spots and stripes. My buddy, Dave, came over later that week. He’s a big [rival team] fan, so you can imagine the banter when he saw his team’s logo on a ball he was about to sink.
So, how did they play? To be honest, pretty much like regular pool balls. I was half-expecting them to be unbalanced or something, given they’re a novelty item. But nope, they rolled true, the breaks were clean. We played a few games, and the logos held up. No chipping, no fading, not yet anyway. It was actually pretty fun, added a bit of a laugh to the game. “Oh, you’re gonna sink the Patriots now, are ya?” Stuff like that.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (Well, Not Really Ugly)
So, what’s the verdict after using them for a while now?
- The Good: They’re definitely a conversation starter. Everyone who comes down to the basement comments on them. They add a cool, personalized touch if you’re an NFL nut like me. And they play surprisingly well for what they are.
- The Bad (ish): Okay, they were a bit more money than a standard set of Aramith balls, for sure. So, you’re paying for the novelty, the NFL branding. If you’re a super serious pool player, maybe you stick to the pro stuff. But for casual games and a bit of fun? They’re fine.
- Wear and Tear: After a good few months of regular play, I’m starting to see a tiny bit of wear on the most-hit balls, but nothing major. I reckon they’ll last a good while for home use. I’m not running a pool hall here.
Worth It? Yeah, I Think So.
Look, was it an essential purchase? Absolutely not. Did it make my game room a little cooler and more “me”? Definitely. It’s one of those little things that just makes you smile. Every time I rack ’em up, it’s a little nod to my love for the game (football, that is). If you’re thinking about something similar for your own space, and you don’t mind spending a bit extra for the theme, I’d say go for it. Just don’t expect them to magically improve your pool skills – still working on that part myself!
