Need advice on a new table purchase.

F

FLJeepGuy

Registered
I currently have an Olhausen Chicago 8-foot table in my game room that was purchased new 11 years ago. It's been well used and well loved, but there are some aspects of the table that I've found I don't like so much. First, I find the rails are too narrow and don't provide enough room to comfortably bridge when the cue ball is on the rail. Also, I don't care for the pocket design as they leave even less rail width, and the leather drop pockets are rock hard. I'm approaching the time to have the felt replaced and the slate seams redone as they have become uneven over time. We're going to take advantage of this time to have the table fully moved and the old carpeting in the room replaced with LVT wood look floors.

I've been looking into replacing the table with something newer that solves some of my dislikes of this table. I have room for an 8-foot table and I'm not looking for a furniture table, rather, playability and overall quality is my number one priority with looks being a distant third place priority. I've been using Simonis 860HR cloth and Aramith super pro cup balls and will probably stick with those regardless of the table I choose.

I have been looking seriously at the Rasson Hero, Ox and Victory II, as well as the Diamond Professional. The Predator line is out due to them not making an 8-foot model. I'm not looking for an older table so vintage and used tables aren't on the list for me at this time.

I would love to hear opinions on the Rasson and Diamond tables as well as any current competitors that I should be considering. Thanks.
 
I've played on Diamond, Rasson, and GC and all are quality tables. However, one other aspect to consider is resale value. Life happens and at some point you may want (or be forced) to sell, and my concern with Rasson is the demand and resale in the states is nowhere near as strong as the other two.

I own a Diamond professional and I keep my eye on the market and I'm confident I could sell it for what I paid for it four years ago (or even a touch more) within 24 hrs. GC would still move pretty quickly as well. Rasson? Probably for a pretty steep discount.

(If anyone has more data on Rasson, who's still relatively new and has very low market share in the states, please chime in.)
 
Do you play outside your home?

Leagues or tournaments?

All 3 would be great, but if I also played outside my home, I'd tend to choose a table at home that was similar to those I most often played tournaments or league on.
 
MitchAlsup said:
Just have RealKingCobra fix up the current table.
Click to expand...
The table has always played excellently, and my local mechanics can put it back in perfect working condition. I'm just considering my options since there are certain things about this table's design that I've decided I wish I had chosen differently. Thanks for the contact though, I'll keep that in mind if I decide to stay with the table.
 
David in FL said:
Do you play outside your home?

Leagues or tournaments?

All 3 would be great, but if I also played outside my home, I'd tend to choose a table at home that was similar to those I most often played tournaments or league on.
Click to expand...
Yes, I do play in the local leagues and tournaments, and this is pretty much a Diamond table town. So, the Diamond is definitely on the short list of possible tables. My Olhausen has similarly tight pockets, so I'm already used to how they play even though they're not identical.
 
couldnthinkof01 said:
Diamond, rasson, Brunswick gold crown. All good choices.
I would pick a gold crown. I like their design and rebound angles.
It's really personal preference between these 3.
Click to expand...
I didn't include the current Gold Crown as it's considerably more expensive. The GCs have been the standard by which up and coming tables were judged, but unless I wanted to go with a used table, it's more than I want to spend at the moment.
 
FLJeepGuy said:
Yes, I do play in the local leagues and tournaments, and this is pretty much a Diamond table town. So, the Diamond is definitely on the short list of possible tables. My Olhausen has similarly tight pockets, so I'm already used to how they play even though they're not identical.
Click to expand...

We're a Diamond area too.

I have a close buddy with an 8' ProAm. It's a great table that neatly splits the difference between the 9' and 7' tables that we play most around town...
 
the olhausen is a good table just under the brunswick and diamond in quality. yes the rails and pockets are different. but playing by yourself for practice it doesnt really matter.
i would just recover and level it.

if you have plenty of disposable income then get the one you want. which most likely is a diamond as thats what you compete on.

you lose much more on a depreciating car than a table so getting a new one isnt world wide. decision.

i have a 9 foot olhausen and a 9 foot brunswick old table. both are fine for home playing and preferable to me and i can get whatever i want.. as personally i am not trying to be a pro player in tournaments.
and also do not want a commercial looking table in my house.
 
FLJeepGuy said:
I currently have an Olhausen Chicago 8-foot table in my game room that was purchased new 11 years ago. It's been well used and well loved, but there are some aspects of the table that I've found I don't like so much. First, I find the rails are too narrow and don't provide enough room to comfortably bridge when the cue ball is on the rail. Also, I don't care for the pocket design as they leave even less rail width, and the leather drop pockets are rock hard. I'm approaching the time to have the felt replaced and the slate seams redone as they have become uneven over time. We're going to take advantage of this time to have the table fully moved and the old carpeting in the room replaced with LVT wood look floors.

I've been looking into replacing the table with something newer that solves some of my dislikes of this table. I have room for an 8-foot table and I'm not looking for a furniture table, rather, playability and overall quality is my number one priority with looks being a distant third place priority. I've been using Simonis 860HR cloth and Aramith super pro cup balls and will probably stick with those regardless of the table I choose.

I have been looking seriously at the Rasson Hero, Ox and Victory II, as well as the Diamond Professional. The Predator line is out due to them not making an 8-foot model. I'm not looking for an older table so vintage and used tables aren't on the list for me at this time.

I would love to hear opinions on the Rasson and Diamond tables as well as any current competitors that I should be considering. Thanks.
Click to expand...
What's your long game.
Winning league?
Winning local events?
National event contender.
Or, just beatin' your buddies?
Looking good in front of???/
These would help, when making your table choice.
 
David in FL said:
We're a Diamond area too.

I have a close buddy with an 8' ProAm. It's a great table that neatly splits the difference between the 9' and 7' tables that we play most around town...
Click to expand...
I also bought an 8' Diamond Pro Am when I moved to Vegas. It has a slightly larger playing area than a standard 8' (45x90), and will outlive me. Table plays great, and most of the league and tourney locations use Diamonds. Holds its value as well-

-dj
 
MitchAlsup said:
Just have RealKingCobra fix up the current table.
Click to expand...
This isn't a knock on Olhausen in any way, but it's not worth it. Lipstick on a pig. I went through this and while it made it an excellent playing table, I would have never considered putting the cost of a good mechanic into the table.

Doing it the correct way and extending the subrails costs a pretty penny, and you still end up with a table with very limited resale value. The cost of the work is probably more than you could get out of the table. The DIY route I took probably cost $400 by the time I bought tools I didn't have. I don't mind DIY projects that allow me to expand my tool selection and skill set, but this kind of work isn't for everyone.

You can't go wrong with a Diamond or a GC.
 
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I would buy nearly anything other than Diamond for no other reason beyond their pathetic excuse for flush pockets. That said, I've haven't played on any 8ft table other than a Diamond.

IF I could get a great deal on a Diamond. I would buy it in a moment and flip it to one of the numerous lemmings. Then take the proceeds to purchase something worth professional play. Likely the Rasson Ox.

IF you're concerned about resale, then I wouldn't entertain having the table reworked by a pro. No way you'll get your investment back with an Olhausen. Performing the work yourself is very doable, but not for the faint of heart. Been there done that.
 
The_JV said:
I would buy nearly anything other than Diamond for no other reason beyond their pathetic excuse for flush pockets. ....
Click to expand...
Can you describe what it is that you don't like about the Diamond pocket design?

(When I first saw the pockets, I thought they were a huge improvement over the GC3s I was playing on.)
 
Bob Jewett said:
Can you describe what it is that you don't like about the Diamond pocket design?
Click to expand...
Needlessly large, soft leather (cue grabbing), horrific transition to rail that produces cueing obstruction.

Diamond: (easily the nicest example I've ever seen)
diamond.JPG

Rasson:
rasson.JPG

Predator:
predator.JPG

Brunswick:
brunswick.JPG


Diamond is easily the worst of the bunch. Even though the sample I found is the best one I've ever seen. Both Diamond and Rasson share that bump up. Harder to see in the Diamond pic.

Bob Jewett said:
(When I first saw the pockets, I thought they were a huge improvement over the GC3s I was playing on.)
Click to expand...
I have zero doubt at one point they were an improvement. Those days are long gone and imo they have the worst offering when measured against potential comparables.
 
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