Dr. Neubauer Jackpot

Dr. Neubauer released a new blade recently called Jackpot. You can find the manufacturer's information on the blade here:
Dr. Neubauer Jackpot

I finally had a chance to play the new Dr. Neubauer Jackpot blade (ST, 82g) in one practice session last week and wanted to share my initial impressions. It was tested with Nittaku H3N and Bison 1.8mm, though that Bison was already a little worn; we did drills and played a few games. Comparison is with Dr. Neubauer Matador with the same rubber combo, though an almost new Bison. Here we go:
- the Jackpot is a 5-ply all wood with 7mm thickness; the 2 outer plies are quite thin and the core relatively thick like 5mm; the core is not balsa (can't easily indent it with the finger nail) but must be quite a light wood since the total weight is only 82g
- the hardness is medium, Matador has a harder touch; the Jackpot is stiffer than Matador; the outer plies seem to be koto and the 2nd ply spruce (that's a guess though!)
- I would call it All+; it plays like All in short game and on serve but more like Off- when you really go for it
- low bounce on blocking with anti and control in general on block was superb!
- it's difficult to judge the reversal with anti since my Bison was a little bit worn but I would say a little less than Matador but still very good
- loop with H3N had more topspin and kick according to my practice partner but was a little slower than with Matador; the control and consistency on looping was great!
- a lot of spin in short game and on serves; better than Matador
- slower in top speed than Matador; so if you rely on a very fast blade, Jackpot is not yours
- craftsmanship is very good with very smooth surfaces; the design is simple like on other Dr. N blades but I like it that way
- the blade seems to have a very mild balsa (non-linear) effect though I am not really a balsa expert as I only ever played with one balsa blade, the Dr. N Bulldog; the "balsa effect" was less than on Bulldog; it would be interesting to hear the opinion of somebody who is more familiar with balsa blades
- it was a lot of fun to play with the Jackpot and I will definitely test it more after my upcoming tournament; I will update after more testing

kevo wrote: Perhaps Jackpot is designed with the frictionless antis more specifically in mind?

Hey kevo, I am not sure but somebody on the German Noppentest.de forum tested it with D.Tecs ox and liked it a lot. He said that when he blocked off the bounce, balls came back quick with a lot of deception like wobble and unstable flight curves. He said that it did not work well for chopping away from the table though.