Should the TAR table stay as is or go to standard pockets? You choose.

What size pockets should be on the TAR Table?

  • Keep the 4 1/8" pockets.

    Votes: 236 46.5%
  • Switch to standard Diamond 4 1/2" pockets.

    Votes: 271 53.5%

  • Total voters
    507
Justin,

I think you should reconsider changing the rails out until at least after Mike and Shane's match. While Shane missed a few balls against Darren, he didn't miss near as many as Darren did. And I have to wonder if Darren's misses were from the table or from the lack of gambling he does as opposed to Shane.

I like leaving the rails on and letting the Dechaine/SVB match determine if the rails should be changed or not. No offense to Darren, but I think his arm froze up a little from not gambling with strong players like Shane. Mike shoots straight enough, gambles often, and has played on this table before unlike Darren. I feel as thought the level of pool will be much higher in the next match.

Whatever you decide I back you 100% but I think I would leave them on for at least 1 more match to gain even greater insight to this question form both perspectives. Good luck!

I don't disagree with your statements above, but I thought Darren missed a lot of shots because he didn't allow himself to adjust to the table he was playing on. He missed a considerable amount of shots because of his tempo on the shots, it has been mentioned in other threads that you can't just hammer balls on certain shots the pockets won't accept them.

For the record I voted the pockets stay as is, the top players should be able to adjust and not to say they should never miss a ball and / or position, it just adds another avenue to the game, when they should consider ducking opposed to playing a flyer.
 
Noted.

4.5" sized pockets are good. Now get Greg to fix the shelf/facing angle and you'll have yourself a real pocket.

I know shit about table geometry. Dont care to. Greg Sullivan does know about that stuff though at least enough to build a table company.

Maybe the people who have issues with the table should just talk to Greg?

Crazy I know.
 
I know shit about table geometry. Dont care to. Greg Sullivan does know about that stuff though at least enough to build a table company.

Maybe the people who have issues with the table should just talk to Greg?

Crazy I know.

If your going to have all champs play on tar leave the table tight .
 
I know shit about table geometry. Dont care to. Greg Sullivan does know about that stuff though at least enough to build a table company.

Maybe the people who have issues with the table should just talk to Greg?

Crazy I know.

Nah, not crazy at all. I don't have a clue concerning table geometry either. Like you, I don't care to either.

I have a table before me, a cue, and some balls, and I'm gonna shoot some pool. I don't give a fat rat's a$$ what size the pocket openings are, how deep the shelf is, or what angle the facings are.

It's just a frikkin' game, fer cryin' out loud!!!

Maniac (hates all the acronyms too!!!)
 
Anyone that thinks 4.5" is not a bucket, especially with new cloth has ghost action, with a sucker like me. I'll play the 9-ball ghost and bet what you like. And I'm not even an A player.

Big Tyme Billiards in Houston, Texas has a 9 ft. Diamond with 4.5" pockets. Table #2 it is.

You can come get action. You might just make a score.

I think "A player" in texas means something different than "A player" in new york. I believe you would be called something different here.
 
I voted but have not commented. I will now.This really is for Justin and Mark. I have been around pool for a very long time (1959). I have watched interest in pool go up and down during all those years. One thing has been consistant, After a cash match, a tournment or an exhihbition one thing has never changed afterwords the most talked about thing, most of the time, is regarding how great someone shot, and mostly because of run outs. No matter what the game. So useing pockets that are the most common, not buckets or to tight, that allow players to play their normal game is proper and fair to all. I really believe you guys have made the correct choice and look forward to many great match ups on TAR. Just one more thing, Tar is the greatest thing to happen to pool in a very long time. The only other things in my pool career that may have been as significant for pool in general are , the movie's The Husler and Color Of Money, The Camel Tour, ABC Wide World Of Sports. Thanks guys you are making a hugh impact on this great game.
 
Last edited:
Yes and Yes.

TAR 31 will be February 15-17th with Shane and Mike. Same ten ball format as the Daz match. Pockets will be standard 4.5" Diamond.

We can see how it goes. Save the old rails please.
 
Me thinks TAR just garnered even more cred than before. Well played. :thumbup:

KK9 <-- would cheer for the day JCIN pulls up to the studio in a pimped out Porsche to service 3000 PPVers
 
I agree with John Barton. Internet grudge matches are the way to go. I volunteer to play my mortal enemy Cocobolo Cowboy on the TAR table.
 
Know what I want to see more of on TAR? Amateur grudge matches.

OMGWTF vs. Chicken Wing was the greatest TAR match of all time!!!!

:-)

I'm still up for playing that 10 ball match you offered... although, this would most likely be the undercard match.


Eric >the under, undercard
 
I really believe the true measure of a great player is where he puts the cue ball. its not pocketing thats much tougher on this table its gettting the right position. and also putting strategy in a players game. Looser pockets favor the weaker player because a pure shotmaker with no knowlegde can win the game.

Not to bust your balls, but... between these 2-time US Open and world 10b champions, which one is a pure shotmaker with no knowledge of the game? Shane van Boening or Darren Appleton?

I don't agree with the thinking that it's all about position and if players just play smart and get the right angle, they can overcome tight pockets.

What tight pockets do is ensure that "the right angle" is a missable shot. You can't slam balls down the rail, can't cheat the pocket, and can't leave distance, so players are forced to leave plenty of angle on every ball and try to aggressively get close to it.

On tight pockets, that extra angle makes routine shots missable, especially if you overrun it a foot on new fast cloth. Then, once you're a little out of line, you've got to cinch the shot (whereas on tight pockets you can try to aggressively get back in line). So now you're shooting two missable balls in a row.

It all just translates to more misses... whether you play the "wrong angle" and are forced to ram the ball, or the "right angle" and are forced to shoot tougher shots, the pockets will get you in the end. They change how the game is played, into something that is quite different from the game most of us play every single day at the pool hall and on our home tables.

I just want to see who plays regular pool best, not some macho shotmaking contest :/


The true beauty in my opinion is a well rounded player someone that can make great shots, put the cue ball where it need be, breaks good, and most of all intelligent at the table. this poll would never be brought up in the far east where they want to see true excellence and challenge themselves

Maybe. Russian pyramid is certainly all about maximum difficulty. But Chinese 8-ball is just pool on a snooker-like table. The rounded corners are tricky but they don't shrink the pockets and they play on fast cloth which (from what I hear) makes pool easier.
 
Keep them as they are! These guys are the best of the best. I for one don't like to watch a player run a 10 pack on someone. I like to watch defensive play and guys missing shots or rattling balls because that makes them human. The person who is more focused will be the victor in these matches. Shane kept his composure even after missing shots. Darren, on the other hand, was clearly frustrated but as a world champ he should be able to overcome that and regain his focus. The first thing I was taught when I started playing pool was to have a short memory!
 
Back
Top