The smaller pockets are helping the weak players, its very deep and people don't see it.

[ShootingArts]

Looks like four 800+ fargos left in the US Open. So much for the luck of the pool gods.

You have to be a little lucky to win or at least have no really bad luck. However, you have to be good before you can be lucky.

Few understood luck and skill can work together and attract each other. When I was good I liked to pretend I was lucky. When I was lucky I liked to leave it up in the air whether it was skill or luck. A lot of sports you can't do that, pool you can.

Hu

 

[rexus31]

Looks like four 800+ fargos left in the US Open. So much for the luck of the pool gods.

But tight pockets favor the weaker players. Gimme a break. Where's the OP with his "data"?

 

[jsp]

Looks like four 800+ fargos left in the US Open. So much for the luck of the pool gods.

I could be wrong, but I thought the OP was in response to the European Open where it played on sub 4" pockets. I believe the US Open is playing on 4.25" pockets.

 

[rexus31]

I could be wrong, but I thought the OP was in response to the European Open where it played on sub 4" pockets. I believe the US Open is playing on 4.25" pockets.

AFAIK, all Matchroom majors use the same table specs.

 

[jsp]

AFAIK, all Matchroom majors use the same table specs.

I don't think so. I know AtLarge tries to document the pocket sizes for each tournament in his break stats threads, and the pocket sizes vary. Which is why I listed the top 8 of the last UK Open and European Open, which were said to have used 4" pockets or slightly tighter.

 

[rexus31]

I don't think so. I know AtLarge tries to document the pocket sizes for each tournament in his break stats threads, and the pocket sizes vary. Which is why I listed the top 8 of the last UK Open and European Open, which were said to have used 4" pockets or slightly tighter.

Oscar just confirmed the pockets on the main TV table are 4".

 

[jsp]

Oscar just confirmed the pockets on the main TV table are 4".

Ok.

I got 4.25" from this post, which may or may not be factual.

 

[rexus31]

Ok.

I got 4.25" from this post, which may or may not be factual.

I feel confident going with Oscar's assessment. Not only did he play in the event, he has very high equipment knowledge.

 

[rexus31]

Oscar just confirmed the pockets on the main TV table are 4".

Ok.

I got 4.25" from this post, which may or may not be factual.

Got confirmation all tables for the event are/were 4".

 

[jsp]

Got confirmation all tables for the event are/were 4".

Thanks. I stand corrected.

 

[9ballglue]

If the pockets were smaller than the actual balls I would still run out personally

 

[rexus31]

If anyone was watching the US Open semi final matches this morning, you can clearly see these guys aren't phased by the pocket size. At all.

 

[highkarate]

One of the dumbest takes I’ve heard on this subject. 3 of the top 4 Fargo rates in the world are 3 of the last 4 standing in the US open. That alone is enough evidence to obliterate your point. It’s about volume/race length

 

[smiling_Hans]

Not an issue. Only ann issue on the local level.

 

[rexus31]

Not an issue. Only ann issue on the local level.

That was not the OP's frame of reference, He was speaking to the WNT events.

 

[mnorwood]

Yet the cream rose to the top like always.

 

[T411]

I've said this years ago, probably the first time they introduced the smaller pockets into pool, then I've said it again in another post here a year or months ago I can't remember.

Now I'll say it again. The introduction of smaller pockets in pool is not good for the sport, it removes SPORT DOMINANCE where you have 2-3 players who can dominate because of their skill. This is absolutely removed and lifted and now its all about who gets the better rolls, literally.

People often don't think deeply about this because they think in a simple manner which would go something like this "Smaller pocket, means player must focus to pot balls, ergo better player wins" and this is veery very far from the truth. In fact smaller pockets will often yields to the winning of the weaker player and most of the time it is randomize. A better player can win if he gets the better end of things but its mostly up to the pool gods now.

We know in all circumstances that the pool gods play a huge part in pool even with larger pockets, but imagine that now with smaller pockets you added like 10x in the hands of pool gods. This is not good cause it will result in more randomness and what I said here you can literally see it in the pool brackets & results, literally I remembeer that one filipino guy who has fargo of 700 or even lower won a major event few months ago in this same small pocket situation, it wasn't like he got really good all of a sudden, but the randomness & rolls helped it because of those small pockets.

I still haven't explained how smaller pockets will add more randomness & luck, but ill leave you think about it deeply then ill post again to elaborate & explain whats happening....cause I don't want this one post to be long.

Just look for results, here's the thing...I am not a pro but if you ever asked me to play against jushua or shane etc, I will ask them to play me in a small pocket & ask for short race i.e. race to 2 or 3 - this will give me the highest chance of beating them. Just think about thisSmaller pockets help all players get better if they have the right mindset And they practice on them consistently. Jump cues help weak players.

I've said this years ago, probably the first time they introduced the smaller pockets into pool, then I've said it again in another post here a year or months ago I can't remember.

Now I'll say it again. The introduction of smaller pockets in pool is not good for the sport, it removes SPORT DOMINANCE where you have 2-3 players who can dominate because of their skill. This is absolutely removed and lifted and now its all about who gets the better rolls, literally.

People often don't think deeply about this because they think in a simple manner which would go something like this "Smaller pocket, means player must focus to pot balls, ergo better player wins" and this is veery very far from the truth. In fact smaller pockets will often yields to the winning of the weaker player and most of the time it is randomize. A better player can win if he gets the better end of things but its mostly up to the pool gods now.

We know in all circumstances that the pool gods play a huge part in pool even with larger pockets, but imagine that now with smaller pockets you added like 10x in the hands of pool gods. This is not good cause it will result in more randomness and what I said here you can literally see it in the pool brackets & results, literally I remembeer that one filipino guy who has fargo of 700 or even lower won a major event few months ago in this same small pocket situation, it wasn't like he got really good all of a sudden, but the randomness & rolls helped it because of those small pockets.

I still haven't explained how smaller pockets will add more randomness & luck, but ill leave you think about it deeply then ill post again to elaborate & explain whats happening....cause I don't want this one post to be long.

Just look for results, here's the thing...I am not a pro but if you ever asked me to play against jushua or shane etc, I will ask them to play me in a small pocket & ask for short race i.e. race to 2 or 3 - this will give me the highest chance of beating them. Just think about this

A table with tighter pocket help all players get better if they have the right mindset and practice on them consistently. In no way does it help even up the play. The pockets aren’t tighter for the better player.

Jump cues help weak players.

 

[ShootingArts]

A table with tighter pocket help all players get better if they have the right mindset and practice on them consistently. In no way does it help even up the play. The pockets aren’t tighter for the better player.

Jump cues help weak players.

The one issue with playing on tight tables exclusively is that our game changes. The way we play patterns, when and how we play safeties.

A local hustler and con man was couch surfing and I let him stay a few days. After he had been on my couch a few days I was seriously missing my time on a snooker table. We went for a few hours and with my close coaching he was making a few balls after 45 minutes. After another hour or so I loaded him up and headed for some seven foot Valley challenge tables. Rod got on a table first. When he hit the first ball he looked at me with a big ol' grin. I just said "yeah" and went on racking balls.

The effect doesn't last but a few hours but regular pool table pockets look like a #3 washtub after shooting on a tight snooker table!

Hu

 

[T411]

The one issue with playing on tight tables exclusively is that our game changes. The way we play patterns, when and how we play safeties.

A local hustler and con man was couch surfing and I let him stay a few days. After he had been on my couch a few days I was seriously missing my time on a snooker table. We went for a few hours and with my close coaching he was making a few balls after 45 minutes. After another hour or so I loaded him up and headed for some seven foot Valley challenge tables. Rod got on a table first. When he hit the first ball he looked at me with a big ol' grin. I just said "yeah" and went on racking balls.

The effect doesn't last but a few hours but regular pool table pockets look like a #3 washtub after shooting on a tight snooker table!

Hu

When you play on a table with bigger pockets and you practice exclusively with tighter pockets it’s like shooting into the ocean and you automatically know you have more options. It’s not like when you now get on a table with larger pockets you now don’t realize that you can’t cheat the pocket and have options. I’m not talking about practicing on a snooker table where the ball just barely goes into the pocket.

 

[tomatoshooter]

Got confirmation all tables for the event are/were 4".

Which event? At Oscar's place, the only table in the tournament room with 4" pockets is the #1 table, the rest are 4 1/2". I believe they switched the #1 table with #4 for the tournament because that's the streaming table. Unless they changed them after the event. The Gold Crowns in the rear of the main room are sub 4 1/2". I'll try to remember to take some pictures the next time I'm there.

The effect doesn't last but a few hours but regular pool table pockets look like a #3 washtub after shooting on a tight snooker table

Yeah, I don't exactly think smaller pockets are a big factor in improving accuracy, I believe the coordination is mainly due to diligent repetition. It is true that after shooting a bit on a tighter pockets I sharpen up a bit, the smaller pockets enforce diligence.