I have struggled with why a 9' table plays so much differently than a 7'. I didn't post this under equipment because all the responses would be about table construction and I don't think that is why. I would like your input. Here is my analysis.
In my experience, 9' tables play faster, quality for quality, the smaller the table the slower it plays, as a general rule.
1. Equipment - Slate is slate. It is equally hard and if it is flat and smooth, that is its job. You can put high quality Simonis cloth on both tables so I don't think it is the cloth. You could argue larger tables have better rails but I don't think Diamond purposely makes tables with rails of lower quality for their 7' tables. I also don't think this is enough to make up any differences.
2. Distance - This is what I THINK makes the difference. The larger the table the fewer collisions. Collisions with other balls and rails reduces the forward roll, slows the balls down and "kills" the action. Also the balls have more time to develop forward roll so fewer balls collide with slide and more are rolling and rolling faster.
Since the balls are the same size on all the tables the balls occupy more area, proportionally, on the small table. When I play on a 6 1/2' bar box, (loosely called a 7') I have to deal with a lot of congestion, poor spreads and no action. I have always heard this blamed on quality but for some reason I woke up this morning thinking of it and reached a different conclusion.
What think you all?
In my experience, 9' tables play faster, quality for quality, the smaller the table the slower it plays, as a general rule.
1. Equipment - Slate is slate. It is equally hard and if it is flat and smooth, that is its job. You can put high quality Simonis cloth on both tables so I don't think it is the cloth. You could argue larger tables have better rails but I don't think Diamond purposely makes tables with rails of lower quality for their 7' tables. I also don't think this is enough to make up any differences.
2. Distance - This is what I THINK makes the difference. The larger the table the fewer collisions. Collisions with other balls and rails reduces the forward roll, slows the balls down and "kills" the action. Also the balls have more time to develop forward roll so fewer balls collide with slide and more are rolling and rolling faster.
Since the balls are the same size on all the tables the balls occupy more area, proportionally, on the small table. When I play on a 6 1/2' bar box, (loosely called a 7') I have to deal with a lot of congestion, poor spreads and no action. I have always heard this blamed on quality but for some reason I woke up this morning thinking of it and reached a different conclusion.
What think you all?