.........this current semi-trend to bring back the 5'x10' tables becomes commonplace in poolhalls all across the country. At my age the nine-footers can be a challenge on a bad night. I cannot imagine myself trying to acclimate my game to a 10' long table with my eyesight. Best we leave the 10-footers in the professional tournament venues. I have no problems with any hall having at least one, I'm just hoping we don't see the halls eventually having more 10-footers than eight or nine-footers. I don't really think this will ever happen (at least in my lifetime), but the thought of it sends chills up my spine!!!
Tell me, has anyone played on a 10-footer lately, and what was that like???
Maniac
I played on a 12x6 snooker table recently (had breaks [runs] of 68 and 84), and I loved it. Would you rather a 12' with even tighter pockets than a 10' with regular pockets?
I would have to disagree with you, though, that there's a "trend" to bring back the 10x5 pool tables "in poolhalls around the country." If anything, a few select rooms will want to have one -- just one -- to have challenge matches, special events, and perhaps the finals of tournament stops or something along those lines. And yes, they'd be available to customers for the asking. But to integrate them into the regular "pool" of tables for generic use -- as in league play, etc.? I don't think so.
I think if anything, 1.) these 10x5 tables will be very region-specific (e.g. the Northeast US, where these tables were once "king" -- most places here are sick of the trend to barboxes, and 2.) would be reserved for special purposes. They would not be integrated into the general "pool" of tables used for regular business, unless a customer specifically asks for them. Personally, I think if several rooms in an area had a (just one) "Big Bertha" for special use, it would be a great thing. For one thing, it's a real rest of skill -- for all games. The only downside is that for every 10x5 table a room has, you probably lose the ability to host approximately two 9-footers in that space. Or four barboxes.
I tend to agree that while the downward trend to barboxes is not a good thing, the Diamond SmartTables at least play well and *properly* (i.e. no mushy cushions that "sponge in" balls even badly-hit towards the pocket, like the Valley tables with stock cushions do).
Conclusion? A single "Big Bertha" in your neighborhood pool room isn't going to hurt. And it may attract some special events -- e.g. challenge matches or what-not, or perhaps even a pro wanting a good place to practice while in your area. That's always a good thing, rather than having a league stranglehold on a poolroom, fearful of anything but league-standard equipment infiltrating their turf.
-Sean
