What'd Shaw say after the Derby?

5” worldwide standard…..never heard that before and that sounds odd so I’m a little skeptical
because all the streaming worldwide pool tournaments I’ve viewed do no have 5” CP pockets.

If you are referring to old style 7’ Valley Bar Boxes, not the new version, then maybe but that
surely isn’t considered a worldwide standard except for recreational play, not professional. BCA
distinguishes between the two and in fact, issued different specifications for pool table pockets.
Below are BCA’s specifications for pool table pocket size for professional and recreational play.

I don’t expect the majority of pool players will concur with my preferences but I want to play and
compete on the same equipment the pros use. 4.5”CP & 5”SP are the largest pockets I want to
play on and even a little smaller (4.25” CP). 5”CP pockets are fine for teaching your kids to play
or anyone wanting to learn the game. The more satisfying your experience, the more you enjoy it.


However, there comes a point when you want to compete and play on the same equipment the
pros use. So enjoy practicing in the playground on 7’ basketball hoops but if and when you want
to play with the big boys, then you have to play with a 10’ hoop. Same applies to pool table specs.

Here are the pocket size I play on at Sierra Billiards and several of my friends’ home tables. Sierra
Billiards has 4 tables with 4 1/8” CP and all the others (7’ and 9’ tables) have 4 1/2”CP and 5” SP.
 

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Every pool table ever made had 5” pockets. The only way to get tighter was to shim the pockets. Diamond was the first to make the tight pockets standard in the mid 1990’s. If you buy a new GC6 today, it comes with 5” pockets.
 
To be fair Saint Willie of Philadelphia's run was on 4x8 with bigass pockets. Shaw's still a tool tho. ;)
Everything points to Willie’s run being on 4 5/8”, despite the exaggerated rumors saying otherwise. It was also on an oversized 8’, not an 8’ table despite exaggerated rumors saying otherwise.


In all my years, I only played on 5” pockets two or maybe three times. Once on GoldCrown IIs and once on a vintage 10’ Brunswick Medalist. Never did I see 5” pockets on a Valley.
 
I watched it on Accu Stats...really enjoyed it in the comforts of home...went back to watch the replays...didn't know who won the 9 ball final until watched the replay. And I'm going back to my couch to watch it next year.
 
All of that is well and good from the pro players perspective but a bridge too far for all the dead money amateurs that just want to compete and who supply the prize monies.

IMO, it's more a matter of format and scheduling. If managed better it should wind up on some sort of reasonable schedule. Right now (well, for the last umpteen years) it seems more a case of: we (Diamond) do not care and were going to fly this puppy straight into the ground at o-dark-thirty the last possible day of play.

Lou Figueroa
 
Not 100% but my recollection is that it goes to Diamond.

Lou Figueroa
I’d be curious what that total number buy-back $ was. And if true Lou, what’s their justification to keep? I don’t know what goes into running a tourney, added expenses to players who buy back in?
 
I'm with Lou on this one. I don't think Diamond wants to change anything. If they limited the field by 100 players in each division, that's maybe 150 less hotel rooms and hotel kickbacks. From their standpoint, their staff gets a few sleepless nights for a few days. Big deal, they'll get over it. Their staff are mostly all family. The money all stays with them.

Making the experience better for the fans or the players would actually bring them less money, as everything sells out completely now.

Follow the money is always a good first step.

I know this sounds harsh, but it's the only thing that makes any sense to me. The other alternative is incompetence.
 
This might be the worst idea ever but would it be possible to split the event? At least maybe the 9 ball, pro / am style and let the top tier players jack the entry to $300-$500 per if they want. No clue how a breakdown on the money would work because there would be far less players but at least the guys who grind out session after session would be getting better odds on $$ / time spent.

How many was in the 9 ball and what’s the entry fee now?
 
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