-Opinions on the TAR table-

There was no 7pack ran when Shane played Earl. Not eve sure if there was a 3 pack.

Shane ran a 7 on the same table that Oscar and Raj had trouble running two on. It's not the table, there are just different levels of play. The table we have now just makes those levels much easier to see.

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Personally I think a Diamond with 4.25" pockets would be just right for the top players. Super tough but playable. Some say the extra eighth-inch won't make any difference, but it does! That said, you must play a little different game on this super tough table. There are certain shots you can't go for, you have to play safe instead.

One other misnomer, this table is not just about who shoots the straightest. It's more about who controls the cue ball the best. To play well here, you must play CLOSE POSITION at all times. Long shots will kill you! I can think of one or two players who might eat this table up (not really but they will play good on it). Dennis Orcollo and Yang Chun from Taiwan. These are two cue ball masters, along with Wu maybe the best in the game. Ralf is another player who might beat anyone on equipment like this. He can stop the cue ball on a dime.

In his prime, no one could have beaten Efren on a table like this. His cue ball is one speed above the rest of the world. That is the secret to why he was the best One Pocket player. You must put the cue ball in small spaces and through tight openings, with perfect control. No one ever did that better than Efren!
 
Here's something for all of you to think about, Earl was 100% right about something he said during the Podcast about the pockets. I can take a Diamond with 4 1/2" corner pockets...and without changing the pocket angles at all, and make it play as tuff as the TAR table with 4 1/8" corner pockets. What you have to change is the durometer rating of the facings to a lower rating, from 60 to say 50, or 45 on a durometer reading. By making that change, the pockets with the same exact angles Diamond already uses, will play a lot more rejective when it comes to the object balls coming into contact with the pocket facings as they're trying to make their way into the pocket, meaning a lot more bouncy. You'd swear playing on a table with 4" pockets....was easier:cool:
 
I honestly would rather see a tough table making these guys look human. As a viewer, I find it annoying when someone breaks, has a shot and everyone already knows they are out. When it's just a break contest, it really takes the fun away.
 
I'd like to see TAR keep the 4 1/8" rails on. It wasn't too long ago that we were all saying 4 1/2" Diamond pockets were tight. Now they are nothing to the top players. Like Jay said...it's all how you control that white ball. Johnnyt
 
I have yet to hear a pro player say "I want looser pockets". Just like Mikey said everyone seems to think they want pockets tighter than a gnats ass. I guess because it sounds cool, I don't really know. More than a few who want tight pockets probably shouldnt as they really dont play on truly tight pockets all that much if they are travelling playing tournaments all the time.

I like to see guys have to really focus to make a run out. I like the drama of not knowing if that ball on the rail is going in or not. Shane ran a 7 on the same table that Oscar and Raj had trouble running two on. It's not the table, there are just different levels of play. The table we have now just makes those levels much easier to see.
[...]

In my opinion, this is the type of equipment all pro players should be competing on. In fact, I thought the primary difference in the match was the tight pockets. Not so much that Raj doesn't shoot straight - he definitely does -but because he didn't pay enough mental attention to each and every single shot.

I might be wrong, but I really don't think Oscar would play Raj on a regular Diamond. By always practicing on tight pockets, Oscar has trained himself to focus on center pocket every time and also to avoid cheating pockets. Raj carelessly missed some shots - enough to cost him the match. In fact the last big miss was a simple combo ( I think it was a 1-8 hanger) and it was just a visibly rushed shot.

Tight tables require tons of confidence and constant mental focus. Eventually that will wear a player down. It was a close match, but I think Oscar edged Raj in the stretch with the help of the table.

Chris
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I agree with these synopses. Raj *does* have a habit of losing mental focus at varying times during matches, and relies way too much on the table "accepting" shots that, on tighter equipment, wouldn't score.

One important thing about Raj, is that he's an overt advocate against Diamond tables. Raj seems to think Diamond tables are a "gaff" when compared against the Brunswick Gold Crowns he's used to practicing and playing upon, and even went as far as to say Diamond tables shouldn't be used for pro events.

I wish I could find the YouTube video where Raj was interviewed after a match, and he launches into a manifesto against Diamond tables.

If course, I don't share Raj's opinion one bit (I personally LOVE Diamond tables), but it might be helpful to point out Raj's previously-opined stance on the matter.

-Sean
 
I agree with these synopses. Raj *does* have a habit of losing mental focus at varying times during matches, and relies way too much on the table "accepting" shots that, on tighter equipment, wouldn't score.

One important thing about Raj, is that he's an overt advocate against Diamond tables. Raj seems to think Diamond tables are a "gaff" when compared against the Brunswick Gold Crowns he's used to practicing and playing upon, and even went as far as to say Diamond tables shouldn't be used for pro events.

I wish I could find the YouTube video where Raj was interviewed after a match, and he launches into a manifesto against Diamond tables.

If course, I don't share Raj's opinion one bit (I personally LOVE Diamond tables), but it might be helpful to point out Raj's previously-opined stance on the matter.

-Sean

If Raj played in the mainly US he would really hate life. I mean whens the last time you saw anything but a Diamond at big event here?

I dont have much time for table complaints from any player. You're supposed to be a pro. Professional's adapt to changing conditions and perform on demand. It's what makes them pro's. Whenever I hear a pro start complaining about a table that has Simonis on it, clean quality balls and is level with good pocket angles I just start to hear this high pitched whine that grows in intensity until I want to stick my head in a wood chipper to make it stop.
 
Jcin,

Love you more and more each day. You are on the front line keep telling it like it is. RESPECT.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk
 
I dont have much time for table complaints from any player. You're supposed to be a pro. Professional's adapt to changing conditions and perform on demand. It's what makes them pro's. Whenever I hear a pro start complaining about a table that has Simonis on it, clean quality balls and is level with good pocket angles I just start to hear this high pitched whine that grows in intensity until I want to stick my head in a wood chipper to make it stop.

Your putting the wrong persons head in the wood chipper.



Just saying.

JCIN keep doing your own damn thing and don't sweat the people who couldn't set up a lemon-aid stand.
 
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