Buckets = super easy pockets.
Standard Gold Crowns from GC1 through GC6 have all shipped from the factory with 5.0" pockets at the corners. The GC5 and GC6 had a "Tournament Edition" table that was instead 4.5" pockets for an extra $1000 factory option. Not many of those out there though.
If you are used to Gold Crowns inside commercial rooms from 20-30 years ago, they were all 5" corners, UNLESS a local mechanic "shimmed" them. The practice today of extending the rails instead of using extra shims didn't really take off until about 15 years ago, and only the fanatic pool players do that, because it requires extensive modifications and new cushions.
Double shim = 4.75" pockets and were common for the serious 9 ball players.
Triple shim = 4.5" pockets, and were common for the serious 1 pocket players.
Most commercial rooms had the 5" factory configuration on the majority of their tables, and a handful of double and/or triple shimmed tables for the gamblers.
One thing of note, a 5" pocket on a GC I don't consider a "bucket". Because of the way the jaw facings are angled, you still have to hit the ball good for it to fall in the pocket. By contrast, a "home" table, even from Brunswick, IS a bucket table. Those pockets are still 5" at the corners, but the jaw facing angle is closer to parallel than a GC, and makes the ball fall much easier.
As far as tougher pockets = better player, that is a debate on here for sure. I know a bunch of people who have a TIGHT 9' Diamond at home, and can't run 3 balls. I personally don't think it makes any difference, and even think a tight table might be worse unless you can legit run 100 balls in straight pool or 7-9 racks of 9 ball (once in your life, not every day). It can be worse because it makes you play timid and ease up on your stroke, rather than playing aggressive and pounding the balls in like the top pros do.
