A question from Greg Sullivan

[jay helfert]

Greg asked me to pass this on to you folks at AZ. He was wondering about holding a tournament on 8' tables. Would that be a compromise that might bring bar table and big table players together? I think he may be on to something here.

I reminded Greg that in the Northwest they already play on 8' bar tables, so that is normal for them. But in other parts of the country they generally play on 7' bar tables. I know the first time I went up the coast and into Oregon, I was surprised when I started seeing 8' tables in bars. Being mostly a big table player, I liked it right away.

Greg is wondering how other players would feel about playing in an event like this. Opinions please.

 

[stljohnny]

As it happens, our league last night was held at a bar that had 8' foot tables instead of the normal 7'. Personally, I prefer 9' tables and was ecstatic to find a larger table - and I played considerably better as it happens. The tables were much better condition, decent rails, level, etc. I would gladly play an 8' over 7' any day. It probably doesn't matter, since I'm unlikely to travel too far for a tournament. heh

 

[cbi1000]

I'm up here in Portland, and I know of one bar that has 8' tables. It's 7' here 99.9999%.

Here is my stance. If the big tourny's (nationals, NW BCA, SBE) are all going to stick with Diamond 7' tables then i say stay with them. In fact many big pool bars here in Oregon have sold off their valley's for dimonds.

Craig

 

[LAMas]

What is being asked?
Will 8 foot tables bring more pros into bar table leagues?
Will 8 foot tables bring more bar table players to play against the pros?

An anticipated paradigm shift?

 

[iba7467]

My thought is that bar table specialists will not support 8' tournaments. As with any tournament, most players care little about the tables and more about the money.

I can assure you that $100,000 added tournament (real added not B.S. crap) would get players to play on anything from 2' to 20' tables. Pool needs real sponsorship - no offense to the billiards industry but there is not enough money there to make it lucrative.

 

[Perk]

A city I lived in back in Michigan used to have 8' tables at a local poolhall. Michigan is known for 7' bar table events and some 9' tables in the larger cities/areas. Players that would come through my poolhall did not like playing on 8' tables as they werent as common. The comment you heard was lets play elsewhere on either a BB or 9'.

I think adding one category of events would be overkill IMO.

 

[UrackmIcrackm]

My thought is that bar table specialists will not support 8' tournaments. As with any tournament, most players care little about the tables and more about the money.

I can assure you that $100,000 added tournament (real added not B.S. crap) would get players to play on anything from 2' to 20' tables. Pool needs real sponsorship - no offense to the billiards industry but there is not enough money there to make it lucrative.

I agree with iba. If the money is there, the players will come. Most of the pro's have played in the Reno bar table event at one time or another and many have swung through Tx while on the road. I doubt the table size will sway the big dogs either way. They're swayed by prize fund.

I haven't been all over but I've been to most regions of the US and so far I've only ever noticed Tx having 8 ft tables in abundance. I never quite understood it but didn't complain too much since 9 ft tables could be found.

Money aside, the location and the time of the year will be the other big factors. It seems each quarter of the year has its own big tournament that has a large, loyal following. Derby, Valley Forge, Vegas, US Open... The date & location will affect the specatator turn out more than the player turn out (I would think). The players are always in need of more events and Greg is one of the few that is 100% trust worthy to not screw them over.

 

[cajunfats]

Yes to 8 Ft.

Jay, I think it is a good idea. Tournament Play on the 8 foot table will be very competitive. I tend to believe a tournament series in the various regions of the country would be a great way to promote the table size to new players. Many billiard rooms in this area have 8 foot tables, i.e fast Eddies, Ricochet's, and Clicks. I see a positive marketing aspect to developing smaller billiard rooms and clubs using the 8 footer's. There is the challenge of a somewhat larger area needed to accommodate 9 ft. tables,whereas a configuration of 8 ft. tables allows better space manipulation. Also, I think players who are bar table proficient won't shy away from a little larger table, like they do the 9 footer's. JMO, but I like the idea. Besides, I play some straight pool and you can't do that on a 7 ft. table. Also, 8, 9, and 10 Ball are all challenging on the 8 ft. table. :thumbup:

 

[Johnnyt]

I think 8' tables for tournaments is a brilliant idea. There will always be a few 9' table purests that will not play on an 8 or a 7 or a 6' table. But like iba said, big purse, they will come. I hope Greg tests this idea out on a local level near Diamond. There are a lot of 8' tables in homes and some of those players that don't do tournaments might start playing in tournaments if the tables were 8'. Johnnyt

 

[ChatTownBanger]

The Chattanooga area has two billiard parlors with primarily 8 footers. One has Olhousens, which I can't stand, the other has gold crowns, which are nice, but the owner is a *****. The one with the gold crowns only has small local tourneys on Sundays. Me, I'll play on anything with pool balls.

 

[Klink]

I grew up on 8 foot tables and love to play on them. In my opinion the best of both worlds, and they will probably become more common as the sq foot price of locations keep going up.

 

[Johnnyt]

I grew up on 8 foot tables and love to play on them. In my opinion the best of both worlds, and they will probably become more common as the sq foot price of locations keep going up.

I agree. And if they start having tounaments on them more poolrooms and homes will buy 8' tables. Johnnyt

 

[david(tx)]

Greg asked me to pass this on to you folks at AZ. He was wondering about holding a tournament on 8' tables. Would that be a compromise that might bring bar table and big table players together? I think he may be on to something here.

I reminded Greg that in the Northwest they already play on 8' bar tables, so that is normal for them. But in other parts of the country they generally play on 7' bar tables. I know the first time I went up the coast and into Oregon, I was surprised when I started seeing 8' tables in bars. Being mostly a big table player, I liked it right away.

Greg is wondering how other players would feel about playing in an event like this. Opinions please.

Diamond 8 ft. , 90 x 45 , Diamond 9 ft. , 100 x 50 . Valley and Diamond 7 footers , 80 x 40 . Seems like a great compromise to me , i think 8 ball is best on 8 footers anyway.


Someone mentioned 8 footers in Texas , i believe most of the chains have 92 x 46's. Your talking 5 inches on head and foot rails and 2.5 inches on the sides between a 9 and 8 .


If you can't make an adjustment there is something wrong . I wish the standard bar table was an 8 footer .

 

[Matt90]

9 ft

Just my very humble recreational player opinion is that what needs to happen
in open events at least is that all tables are 9ft diamonds and all
games are 10 ball with the same rules at every stop.Of course I prefer to
play on 9 ft tables and have very little time on a bar box or 8 ft table.

 

[Mr. J]

What is on the better players minds.....

Greg asked me to pass this on to you folks at AZ. He was wondering about holding a tournament on 8' tables. Would that be a compromise that might bring bar table and big table players together? I think he may be on to something here.

I reminded Greg that in the Northwest they already play on 8' bar tables, so that is normal for them. But in other parts of the country they generally play on 7' bar tables. I know the first time I went up the coast and into Oregon, I was surprised when I started seeing 8' tables in bars. Being mostly a big table player, I liked it right away.

Greg is wondering how other players would feel about playing in an event like this. Opinions please.

Hello Jay....

Perhaps this reminder will help with some answers you are looking for...

The better players will somewhat be concerned with table size...but even more importantly, they will want to know the POCKET SIZE.....WHAT WILL BE THE RACE TO...????

It is well known among the better players that they can be beat on a smaller table that has big pockets....and shorter races too...

I am well aware of the pro cut pockets of Diamonds and all will have to play well to run out,.... as usual on Diamonds...

Like others have said....as usual, ADD THE GOOD MONEY AND THEY MOST ALL WILL COME....

Take care of whitey..

Mr. J.

 

[RobertR]

Would that be a compromise that might bring bar table and big table players together?

Not in my opinion. That is not a problem that needs a solution. There are plenty of players that play on both, and it's my opinion that the percentage of players that do not attend the nationals because they are played on 7 footers is small. And, even if you were to hold the tournaments on 8 footers, the 9 footer elitists would still look down their nose at it.

Greg is wondering how other players would feel about playing in an event like this. Opinions please.

I would feel like Greg was looking to increase his attendance to increase profits. I have no problem with that, but why not fix the problems with the current tournaments first?

Want a simple fix Greg? I've got two words for you: red circle.

 

[SCCues]

My preference is 9' tables and i've played a lot on 7' bar boxes in the Valley, BCA, and ACS leagues. I think 8' tables would be great for a tournament and i'd love to play on them regularly instead of the 7' bar boxes. This sounds like a good idea to me........

James

 

[Tom In Cincy]

If anything is done in Reno POOL related.. that would generally account for some 200+ Northern Ca players. Another 50 or so from So Call and maybe 150 from Oregon and Washington St. Maybe 50 or so from Idaho and Montana.
Totals.. 450 actual player participation maybe only 300 in the first year just from the surrounding west coast area.

Outside the west coast.. from the mid west and point south and east???
Maybe another 100.

10 days with close to 500 players? 8, 9, 10 and One Pocket... I'm IN.

Greg... I am willing to work for room and board and some daily spending cash..

if you bring 32 Eight foot tables.. they will come. But, I would also bring 8 or so 9 footers for the One Pocket event...

 

[CrownCityCorey]

8' for amateurs...fine.

9' (or larger!) only for professionals.

 

[vasilios]

Jay

a large cash payout that is backed up with no jerk around and a low entry fee will get any tourny off the ground.

bill