Pro Pocket Size TOO Small for 9 Ball
- Thread starter Island Drive
- Start date
Trucker1989
New member
I don't disagree on KO
I’ve posted about pocket size a lot and what Iike. If you have a home pool table, put 5.5” corner pockets if you wanted.
It’s for your personal pleasure. You can put in 4.25” pockets. When it is your table, install as big or small as you prefer.
Personally, 5” CP seem too big but for so for some, maybe 4.75” is better suited instead of 4.5” for a home table. Pool
room operators have to decide what to offer. It seems 4.5” is becoming more common with so many Diamond tables
populating pool rooms. Sierra Billiards, where I mostly play, the 9’ tables are evenly split with 4.25” and 4.5” CP sizes.
It’s for your personal pleasure. You can put in 4.25” pockets. When it is your table, install as big or small as you prefer.
Personally, 5” CP seem too big but for so for some, maybe 4.75” is better suited instead of 4.5” for a home table. Pool
room operators have to decide what to offer. It seems 4.5” is becoming more common with so many Diamond tables
populating pool rooms. Sierra Billiards, where I mostly play, the 9’ tables are evenly split with 4.25” and 4.5” CP sizes.
My club has two tables with 4" pockets and I can assure you that the pros that visit have no trouble making the game look effortless on those tables. It definitely does not look like one pocket. You're giving way too much credit to a measly 0.25" difference.
yes pro pool is more like a chess match than before with the new rules and equipment.
i would watch a good chess match but no one puts them on tv, i wonder why? and i cant name more than one or two of the worlds best players.
right now none.
and in chess the best player almost always wins. so you know the outcome before the game is even played.
just like when i match up for bigger money at pool.
i would watch a good chess match but no one puts them on tv, i wonder why? and i cant name more than one or two of the worlds best players.
right now none.
and in chess the best player almost always wins. so you know the outcome before the game is even played.
just like when i match up for bigger money at pool.
Not sure what kind of marketing research these pool promoters do, but I think there has to be 99.9999% agreement that it is brutal to watch pro players ducking the Predator ARC side pocket. Hopefully, Predator will use good sense and redesign that pocket. Granted that you cannot satisfy everyone, but to me, the need to redesign that side pocket is a no-brainer.
No room owner will have Diamond bar tables with the pro cut 4 1/4 pockets for their regulars, who spend money on liquor and food.
Those patrons pay the rent and the last thing a room owner wants is player frustration, where no one can ever run more than two or 3 balls.
4'' pockets on a dirty or worn out table in humid conditions it's not pool.
That's why Bowling hasn't changed the lane size, or the PGA hasn't made the cup smaller.
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I promise you if every bowler starts bowling 300 every other game, they'll make changes.
The Old Jaybird
Well-known member
I concur completely. My T shirt I have on is 15 years old and my balls are 78.
uk_9_ball_convert
Active member
All golf courses that host pro tournaments have basically been massively lengthened and made much more challenging as pro golfers (possibly partially due to equipment) are so much better now. I remember courses talking about Tiger proofing the course when Tiger Woods was first on the scene and hitting ridiculously low scores.
My local club is 4.1" pockets and always packed. Though I suppose because most people will have played snooker or English pool first they will be thinking of them as the easy tables. Generally the American pool tables is a mix of drunks playing 8 ball and people that take it seriously playing 9 ball. Anyone that takes playing 8 ball seriously are on the English pool tables.
uk_9_ball_convert
Active member
I might be in the minority but I enjoy the safety aspect of the game and I also think the top players are running out so often that pocket sizes being too small clearly isn't an issue. As Lowell said would be boring if the ran out every time
As I told you at Derby, I think the break should be from something similar to the snooker D with the one on the spot, and figure out what rack works best from there to encourage big breaks again.
I normally hate comparing sports, but just like a long drive in golf, a big, or good break, should be rewarded. How much is in the eyes of the beholder.
And you never hear the guy that is making the wing ball regularly complain....
So Indian not arrow
except pockets.
except pockets.
when ever these type of threads come up, I have said this for years, its the way its played. Take out the pocket size for a minute.... The risk taking in favour of safety shots. I think would still be the same, if the pockets were a bit bigger. Players today, rather have it easy, than go for the big shot. Its more a mind set now. 9 ball is boring as hell. not to mention the pace is slowest its ever been. No matter what is said, there will always be die hard fans of the modern game. They say this is the best, most exciting time in pool.
I agree with maha, The influence of the equipment is the biggest change I've noticed in the last 7 years, everyone thinking they can go up a level with the latest cue.
I agree with maha, The influence of the equipment is the biggest change I've noticed in the last 7 years, everyone thinking they can go up a level with the latest cue.
You have a genre that's flailing for attention - participation even. Yeah must be the equipment.
Meanwhile on the winners side, whoa, players that have embraced the concept of precision; actually learned their margins
; 
Meanwhile on the winners side, whoa, players that have embraced the concept of precision; actually learned their margins
; 
Americans have been using the “fast and loose with personality” excuse for far too long, trying to cover up their impatience for learning proper fundamentals to begin with because it is hard work that requires discipline. They don’t want to be bad at something for a long time while they are learning, so instead use a culture of woofing, bravado and showmanship as makeup. All of the complaining here reminds me of an entitlement death throw.
I prefer chess, robots and excellence over Monday morning quarterback fodder.
Don't speak for all Americans, I've been shouting to have 4" pockets for 20 years.
InsertCleverNameHere
Well-known member
There will always be trade offs no matter what equipment is in use. Smaller pockets with deep shelves will ALWAYS produce more safeties regardless of the skill level of the players involved. Larger pockets with shallower shelves, more aggression and “wilder” shots. It’s all about what the promoter prefers.
I’m not a fan of sterile environments that most events are played in today. Especially WNT venue stuff. Predator events are more interesting mostly because they feature several disciplines generally speaking. But the environment still sucks. I understand why it’s moved that direction, I do. But it’s just not interesting TO ME. But I’m not a promoter or investor. As a fan though it’s a big yawn fest for me more often than not.
I’m in favor of any setup that encourages players to break the balls full in the face and hard. Any setup that encourages more exciting shots attempted.
Another topic I know but jump cues dumb down the game a good bit imo and I wish they’d go away while we are at it. But they won’t because event sponsors sell them so easily.
I’m not a fan of sterile environments that most events are played in today. Especially WNT venue stuff. Predator events are more interesting mostly because they feature several disciplines generally speaking. But the environment still sucks. I understand why it’s moved that direction, I do. But it’s just not interesting TO ME. But I’m not a promoter or investor. As a fan though it’s a big yawn fest for me more often than not.
I’m in favor of any setup that encourages players to break the balls full in the face and hard. Any setup that encourages more exciting shots attempted.
Another topic I know but jump cues dumb down the game a good bit imo and I wish they’d go away while we are at it. But they won’t because event sponsors sell them so easily.
Pockets should go back to 5". There was ZERO wrong with them. Look at any Accu-Stats matches from the 1980s to 2000's on Gold Crowns and that's what they had. Those matches were more exciting than today's. 4.5" is good for the 1 hole players that want to dink the balls around. All the other games should be on 5". Less than 4.5" for any game is just ego bs.
Regular pool pockets are uninspiring and even uninteresting. Always have been.