Topic: Why is it so hard to grip the ball on some tables?

[smokindave]

I used to play a lot when I was a teenager. We used the old coin op tables (this was early 70's)  Now that I have started to play a few games recently, I have noticed that many of the tables are very different.  We used to be able to catch the ball, and grip it from above in order to position for a nice pull shot. 

What gives with the tables these days?  The ball feels so slick you can't catch or grip anymore.  Is this because of the balls, the table surface or the foot?   I can't seem to tell.  If it's the ball, then can you tell me which brand of balls are not so slick?

thanks in advance!

[ShopTeacher]

Cheap table lead to this. The least expensive way to try to add grip is to buy good balls, Tornado balls. If that doesnt work, the next step is to buy a quality table (Tornado) but this step is much more expensive.

https://shop.foosball.com/fts-110-005.html  -Pink is grippier but red is standard for tourney

[crazy8]

Also, don’t grip the rods firmly. Hold like extremely fragile eggs - that may help.

[smokindave]

Cheap table lead to this. The least expensive way to try to add grip is to buy good balls, Tornado balls. If that doesnt work, the next step is to buy a quality table (Tornado) but this step is much more expensive.

https://shop.foosball.com/fts-110-005.html  -Pink is grippier but red is standard for tourney

thanks so much for the reply. turns out the balls were very old and slick, so you were absolutely correct.  New ones work much better.