Are Gold Crowns Still Being "Diamondized?"

[iusedtoberich]

Did you notice a big difference going down to 4.75? A friend got a diamond with pro cut 4.5 and our pool group thinks it's too hard. Sorry to ask so many questions but most people on here want the pockets at 4.25 or even 4. I think you have to be a helluva pool play to like that. I live in a remote area where all leagues are valley 7 foot with 5 pockets. I'm thinking the 9 foot table will add enough challenge.

The players here are delusional that want pockets smaller than 4.5". 4.5" used to be considered "hard" and was usually done on only 1 or two tables in a room for the specific game of one pocket. That game is often about moving, rather than shooting, and tight pockets make each game more likely to be a moving game. Fast forward to 1989 or so, when Diamond originated, and they thought it a good idea to make 4.5" the standard. However, not only did they make the pocket mouth small, they also made the slate shelf significantly deeper than every other table. About 3/4 inch deeper. That extra depth means a LOT of balls that would go in on a Gold Crown with the same size 4.5" pockets will hang up on a Diamond 4.5" pockets.

I'd strongly recommend 5" pockets. It's what I have on my home Gold Crown 4. It's what the table came with from the factory. Pool is my life, I practice, play in tournaments, gamble, travel for it, etc, all the time. A home table with 5" pockets is hard as hell to run a rack unless you are near pro speed.

Practicing pool is about learning new shots, getting better at your weaker shots, keeping in "stroke", etc. That makes zero difference if you are on a 5" pocket table or a 4" pocket table. (or the size of the table for that matter). You can hop from one to another without skipping a beat. I can play 9 ball a month straight on my 5" pocket table and then go gamble 1 pocket on a 4.25" pocket table and have zero issues. Sure, I won't make as many balls, but neither will the guy that has a 4" table at home. It comes down to the player's ability. That ability is part of your body and mind, has zero to do with what table you practice on.

 

[GoldCrown]

Did you notice a big difference going down to 4.75? A friend got a diamond with pro cut 4.5 and our pool group thinks it's too hard. Sorry to ask so many questions but most people on here want the pockets at 4.25 or even 4. I think you have to be a helluva pool play to like that. I live in a remote area where all leagues are valley 7 foot with 5 pockets. I'm thinking the 9 foot table will add enough challenge.

Get what you like. Go with your instincts. Never mind what everyone else does here. Yes the 9 ft is enough of a challenge. Get more focused on getting a table in good shape and a first class installer.

Our clubhouse pockets are over 5" and the guys are having a ball.

 

[GoldCrown]

The players here are delusional that want pockets smaller than 4.5". 4.5" used to be considered "hard" and was usually done on only 1 or two tables in a room for the specific game of one pocket. That game is often about moving, rather than shooting, and tight pockets make each game more likely to be a moving game. Fast forward to 1989 or so, when Diamond originated, and they thought it a good idea to make 4.5" the standard. However, not only did they make the pocket mouth small, they also made the slate shelf significantly deeper than every other table. About 3/4 inch deeper. That extra depth means a LOT of balls that would go in on a Gold Crown with the same size 4.5" pockets will hang up on a Diamond 4.5" pockets.

I'd strongly recommend 5" pockets. It's what I have on my home Gold Crown 4. It's what the table came with from the factory. Pool is my life, I practice, play in tournaments, gamble, travel for it, etc, all the time. A home table with 5" pockets is hard as hell to run a rack unless you are near pro speed.

Practicing pool is about learning new shots, getting better at your weaker shots, keeping in "stroke", etc. That makes zero difference if you are on a 5" pocket table or a 4" pocket table. (or the size of the table for that matter). You can hop from one to another without skipping a beat. I can play 9 ball a month straight on my 5" pocket table and then go gamble 1 pocket on a 4.25" pocket table and have zero issues. Sure, I won't make as many balls, but neither will the guy that has a 4" table at home. It comes down to the player's ability. That ability is part of your body and mind, has zero to do with what table you practice on.

Good post

 

[rexus31]

I'm searching for answers. If Diamondizing my GCIV will finally help me make a ball and get more chances at a runout then I am all for it. The way it is now makes the following the norm when I head down to my table:

1) Work on 2-3 shots/speed.
2) Rack balls and break.
3) Nothing goes in.
4) No decent spreads.
5) My attitude gets bad. I develop the "Here We Go Again" outlook.
6) After 44 breaks and only 1-2 decent chances to run out I say the heck with it and quit.

r/DCP

p.s. I have always thought from the first day I got this GCIV that it sort of played slow, heavy, whatever you want to call it.

What's your Fargo? Could be the Indian and not the reservation.

 

[GoldCrown]

These guys are plugging away.... they socket to each other on a heavy metal table...pocket size is not an issue.

 

[maha]

tighter pockets will make you play worse and make you frustrated and less likely to practice and play longer.
plus until you get really good you wont get to learn cheating pockets and getting position. that will hold you way back. its not all about making tough shots.

and missing more often on tight pockets does nothing to make you more accurate.
and with bigger pockets you can actually aim for different parts of the pocket so should help more for aiming than missing altogether and not seeing anything.

 

[lakeman77]

I put Diamond rails on my GC3, it still has pocket shelves that are not as deep as a Diamond, no way to change that easily. It does NOT play like a Diamond. If you want a table to play like a Diamond buy a Diamond.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Just as a point of reference, in another thread, the OP was complaining about missing this draw shot 11 times in a row.

My take: Diamondizing his table will not make things better.

 

[skip100]

I am firm believer in 4 3/4 inch pockets for the person who has a home table and would like a table enjoyable for all family members, friends, and casual match play. A very, very small percentage of people who play this game actually would enjoy a table with small pockets. The people on this site who advocate for very small pockets are either hard core players or delusional about their abilities and /or aspirations in pool.

For the person who works full time, has significant family involvement time, has a home and property to mange, has a nice group of friends, family who visit the home on a fairly frequent basis --- ask yourself what your true aspirations are regarding pool and a significant investment in a home billiard room. I had a home billiard room for over 30 years- three different tables, by far, by far, my best choice was a Brunswick GC with standard 4 3/4 inch pockets-- Everyone who visited had a great time, I was able to become a more than decent player for life, and both my sons will play this game forever at a very decent level- consider the BIG picture on any major purchase.

Sticky this post!

 

[maha]

everyone wants to play better. but imitating what the pros do does just the opposite.

learn the fundamentals to a straight stroke and perfect that before anything else or the else is just wasted.

 

[GoldCrown]

Just as a point of reference, in another thread, the OP was complaining about missing this draw shot 11 times in a row.

View attachment 822864

Whoa stop the music … wait a minute. 11 in a row is pure consistency.

 

[SBC]

Yes, the cloth is Simonis 860.

Yes, it is stretched tight.

Yes, I can get the 4.5 table lengths. Tried this before.

I have a dehumidifier.

Rarely do I ever get a shot no matter where the CB ends up. And almost always when the CB is near the center I have no shot or it gets kicked around and I have no chance.

The pool gods must be against me.

You are just slamming them.

Learn a few breaks, practice them. Practice pattern racking. If you are a runout player, there's no way this won't improve your outcomes.

 

[trob]

I am firm believer in 4 3/4 inch pockets for the person who has a home table and would like a table enjoyable for all family members, friends, and casual match play. A very, very small percentage of people who play this game actually would enjoy a table with small pockets. The people on this site who advocate for very small pockets are either hard core players or delusional about their abilities and /or aspirations in pool.

For the person who works full time, has significant family involvement time, has a home and property to mange, has a nice group of friends, family who visit the home on a fairly frequent basis --- ask yourself what your true aspirations are regarding pool and a significant investment in a home billiard room. I had a home billiard room for over 30 years- three different tables, by far, by far, my best choice was a Brunswick GC with standard 4 3/4 inch pockets-- Everyone who visited had a great time, I was able to become a more than decent player for life, and both my sons will play this game forever at a very decent level- consider the BIG picture on any major purchase.

I hear you. I wouldn’t want 4 inch pockets but if I
wanted 4 3/4 pockets I would have saved my money and just bought a valley. Lol I’m happy with my 4 1/4. Even 4.5 wouldn’t be terrible.

As far family and friends I couldn’t care less. I bought this table for me to play on. I’m not going to play every day on some big pocket table in case family or friends who don’t really play come over. Lol f them. It’s my money and my house.

But hey you do you. Whatever you think is right for yourself

 

[fastone371]

Well Diamondizing it will make the cushions bounce more. So perhaps it will get more balls near the pockets during the break. If you go that route, just keep the pockets buckets, and not 4.5" Diamond standard. Otherwise you'll probably make it worse for pocketing balls on the break.

Good luck.

Back to the bouncy cushions again? My 'Diamondized" GCI isn't "bouncy" and it even has those evil Artemis Intercontinental K66 cushions on it where the ball speeds up after hitting the rail. Shooting the cue ball straight up and down the table I get 4 1/2 to 4 3/4 table lengths, what do you get on your non "diamondized" GCIV?

 

[iusedtoberich]

Back to the bouncy cushions again? My 'Diamondized" GCI isn't "bouncy" and it even has those evil Artemis Intercontinental K66 cushions on it where the ball speeds up after hitting the rail. Shooting the cue ball straight up and down the table I get 4 1/2 to 4 3/4 table lengths, what do you get on your non "diamondized" GCIV?

No comment, except I hope you have a typo in your post

 

[fastone371]

No comment, except I hope you have a typo in your post

No typo that I see, what did you see? My eyesight isn't the best.

 

[iusedtoberich]

No typo that I see, what did you see? My eyesight isn't the best.

its "intercontinental 66" (no "K") which is a k55 profile. If you have that, you have the same cushions Diamond uses on their 9'. If instead you have Artemis "K66" cushions, you have a completely different cushion, not what diamond uses.

 

[fastone371]

its "intercontinental 66" (no "K") which is a k55 profile. If you have that, you have the same cushions Diamond uses on their 9'. If instead you have Artemis "K66" cushions, you have a completely different cushion, not what diamond uses.

Got me there, I do in fact have the Intercontinental 66's on my table, just like the Diamonds. When I had my table done all of the mechanics were recommending Artemis cushions, I spoke with the 2 most popular mechanics but their wait times were long, RKC suggest Josh Ebert, he did a fantastic job. About a year after it was done they decided Superspeeds were the cushions to use, oh well. I am not at all disappointed with the way my table plays.

 

[DrCue'sProtege]

Back to the bouncy cushions again? My 'Diamondized" GCI isn't "bouncy" and it even has those evil Artemis Intercontinental K66 cushions on it where the ball speeds up after hitting the rail. Shooting the cue ball straight up and down the table I get 4 1/2 to 4 3/4 table lengths, what do you get on your non "diamondized" GCIV?

I just tried this several times. Hitting them center ball real hard - hard for me - I basically got 4 and 1/4. The last time I got 4 and 1/2.

I had new SuperSpeed cushions put on a few years ago.

The table had 5" pockets when I bought it brand new. A few years ago I had the pockets shimmed to 4 1/2.

I went down and broke about 15 racks earlier today. Of those 15 breaks I either had no chance or no balls down on 13 of them. Twice I made a ball and had a shot but both were very difficult shots.

 

[bradsh98]

I just tried this several times. Hitting them center ball real hard - hard for me - I basically got 4 and 1/4. The last time I got 4 and 1/2.

I had new SuperSpeed cushions put on a few years ago.

The table had 5" pockets when I bought it brand new. A few years ago I had the pockets shimmed to 4 1/2.

I went down and broke about 15 racks earlier today. Of those 15 breaks I either had no chance or no balls down on 13 of them. Twice I made a ball and had a shot but both were very difficult shots.

Make sure that your rail bolts are tight.
Also, make sure that the balls are clean and polished.
Vacuum, and wipe down the rack area with a damp (lint-free) cloth.

I'm guessing that your aren't giving yourself good racks. Watch some YouTube videos on racking and breaking. Gaps are important. If you are slugging yourself, and not adjusting your break, you will never make a ball.