Looking for opinions from people with a cramped home table

W

WillyCornbread

Break and One
Silver Member
Hi all, I want to get a table to practice and play on at home. Unfortunately the only space I have is in my basement and after speaking with a couple different structural engineers it looks like I won't be able to remove the post without spending at least $6 - 7k...

So I'm considering a 7ft Diamond Pro Am despite wanting a 9ft table, here is a diagram of my space with the table and posts in it. http://i.imgur.com/qpptptm.jpg

I have 2 questions:
1) What would you do? If you are in a similar situation do you hate your table, does it ruin any and all enjoyment? I have a pool hall fairly close to my house, but can't get there nearly as often as I'd like to improve my game.

2) If I go with the 7ft table, any advice on positioning based on the diagrams? For example, would having the post as close to the side pocket of the table block more or less shots than a couple feet away?

Thanks in advance for any help, I'm really struggling with this decision. For what it's worth, obviously I would prefer a larger table and more space...

b


qpptptm.jpg
 
If I understand your illustrations, I would go for option 1. What are the distances from the table to the wall?

I guess I'd have a hard time spending that kind of cash on a quality table if I couldn't play un hindered on it.

Option 1 (if you are far enough from the walls) gives you the most un hindered play area.

If it's a practice table why not buy something less expensive, then you could practice shots on it, save the money until a better solution makes itself available.
 
WillyCornbread said:
Hi all, I want to get a table to practice and play on at home. Unfortunately the only space I have is in my basement and after speaking with a couple different structural engineers it looks like I won't be able to remove the post without spending at least $6 - 7k...

So I'm considering a 7ft Diamond Pro Am despite wanting a 9ft table, here is a diagram of my space with the table and posts in it. http://i.imgur.com/qpptptm.jpg

I have 2 questions:
1) What would you do? If you are in a similar situation do you hate your table, does it ruin any and all enjoyment? I have a pool hall fairly close to my house, but can't get there nearly as often as I'd like to improve my game.

2) If I go with the 7ft table, any advice on positioning based on the diagrams? For example, would having the post as close to the side pocket of the table block more or less shots than a couple feet away?

Thanks in advance for any help, I'm really struggling with this decision. For what it's worth, obviously I would prefer a larger table and more space...

b


qpptptm.jpg
Click to expand...

I'm a structural engineer and you simply can't play with the pole there. This is what i recommend:

1. Pay to get rid of the pole.
2. Buy a used valley and put simonis cloth and ridgeback rails on it ($1000).
3. Save up for a year or two
4. Sell the valley and buy a 9 foot diamond.


I did this to my valley and it plays about 90% as good as a diamond and it has tighter pockets.
 
Yes, rid your self of the "stupid" pole.

BTW, I love having a table at home, I don't have a pole, but if I did I would not for long. And I would certainly remove it for a 9' over a 7' as I just don't enjoy those as much.
 
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I have a table with 2 poles and a staircase that can get in the way and I can say without hesitation that I do not regret doing it at all. It's great to be able to go into the basement AT ANY TIME and shoot some balls.

As for orientation, I think the last one with the table not parallel to the walls would limit the obstructions.

So here's the deal. Use the table for practice. If the pole gets in the way, just move the cue ball a little bit and keep shooting. It's practice.

Once again: I love my table even though it has obstructions. I play/practice every day and sometimes those obstructions never get in the way at all.
 
I have a cramped garage. I got a 7 foot table and purchased a 52 inch cue and a 48 inch cue for the cramped shots. It a little annoying to switch over to the shorter cue for certain shots, but I'm definitely happy to have the table.
 
Yes, rid your self of the "stupid" pole by installing a laminated beam, then you'll have all room you need.
 
WillyCornbread said:
Hi all, I want to get a table to practice and play on at home. Unfortunately the only space I have is in my basement and after speaking with a couple different structural engineers it looks like I won't be able to remove the post without spending at least $6 - 7k...

So I'm considering a 7ft Diamond Pro Am despite wanting a 9ft table, here is a diagram of my space with the table and posts in it. http://i.imgur.com/qpptptm.jpg

I have 2 questions:
1) What would you do? If you are in a similar situation do you hate your table, does it ruin any and all enjoyment? I have a pool hall fairly close to my house, but can't get there nearly as often as I'd like to improve my game.

2) If I go with the 7ft table, any advice on positioning based on the diagrams? For example, would having the post as close to the side pocket of the table block more or less shots than a couple feet away?

Thanks in advance for any help, I'm really struggling with this decision. For what it's worth, obviously I would prefer a larger table and more space...

b


qpptptm.jpg
Click to expand...

I have not read any of the responses and I am sure you are getting good advice. Here is the thing, you do what you can do. I would not for a minute deny myself a table because I hit a pole in one area or a wall for that matter

It is worth so much to your game to have your own table it is a small thing. You are not going to play a tournament on the table, I would not care if I put the table almost against the pole.

One of the best straight pool players in the country I knew when he was a kid. He had a 9 foot table in a room over his garage that was like 3 feet from one wall. He became a champion practicing on that table.
 
Thanks for weighing in everyone, very much appreciated. I still can't decide, but the cost as well as the fact that I will also need to rip up a finished ceiling is leaning me towards the 7 footer for awhile and maybe save to redo the entire room in 5 years - if I get a quality Diamond table I would expect the resale to be decent.

My post was pretty long and this question got lost, I can't get my head around the answer...

Would you expect more or less obstructed shots with the pole right up against the table at the side pocket, or 12-14" away?

Thanks again
 
WillyCornbread said:
Would you expect more or less obstructed shots with the pole right up against the table at the side pocket, or 12-14" away?

Thanks again
Click to expand...

you want obstacles as far away from the table as possible, if the pole is closer it will block more shots.

you certainly don't want the pole right up against the side pocket, you wouldn't even be able to walk around the table in the normal manner. a pole that close would be in your line of vision often, just not good....
 
michael4 said:
you want obstacles as far away from the table as possible, if the pole is closer it will block more shots.

you certainly don't want the pole right up against the side pocket, you wouldn't even be able to walk around the table in the normal manner. a pole that close would be in your line of vision often, just not good....
Click to expand...

This. The closer it is to the table the "bigger" it is.
 
If I were you I would pay the 6 or 7 grand to open up the space and never look back if of course you own the house. That would be a no brainer if I was serious about pool. It will appreciate the value of the place. Basement posts are a negative for more things than pool.

Otherwise all you have is a place to do drills and such. Not play a game of pool. You can do that on a $300 valley bar box with one side against the wall.

Then if money is tight skip the diamond for now and pick up a decent Gold Crown for 1/4 as much.

My .02

JC
 
. My wife loved a friends home that was for sale. She loves to cook and it was her dream kitchen. So when we went over to really look at it I started measuring every room. When are friend asked why I simply said " I don't care how much she loves the f$&$@&$ kitchen... If my table doesn't fit were not buying it" lol
 
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