2026 JOY Heyball Grand Masters Finals

[Flakeandrun]

I might be mistaken but I think the table and balls are broadly the size of American pool with pockets the size of a snooker table.

Not tried it, but it looks like the hardest form of pool.

I think Joy has set standards for all tournaments. Duya standards differ slightly (I like that they squared off the jaws a little, much more interesting to watch than Chinese 8-ball. Refuse to call it "heyball" - it's supposed to mix Chinese and English together 黑 for black and ball. Sounds dumb af).

 

[Flakeandrun]

I might be mistaken but I think the table and balls are broadly the size of American pool with pockets the size of a snooker table.

Not tried it, but it looks like the hardest form of pool.

Playing Surface	2540mm x 1260mm (100" x 50")	This is the official inner dimension; slate thickness is typically 46mm-50mm.
Table Height	800mm to 850mm	Measured from the floor to the top of the cushions.
Pocket Size	85mm (approx. 3.35 inches)	Leather & copper construction.
Rails	S-level "Dragon Ridge" Rubber	Brand: J-Hong; designed for consistent, high-fidelity rebound.
Cloth	Strachan 6811 or Liber Win 8848	High-quality worsted wool cloth for speed and durability.
Balls	57.15mm diameter (2.25 inches)	Weight ranges between 156g-170g; JOY includes Aramith balls.

Courtesy of Deepseek...
They appear marginally smaller than an American pool table, and this is noticeable.

Glad they're not using that daft sexist blue and pink ball set that they tried to market (badly) as some Yin Yang 阴阳 intangible Chinese culture... Shame they keep in the free ball for women, and under 18s, to save face for men who would for the most part likely lose anyway...

 

[skip100]

Playing Surface	2540mm x 1260mm (100" x 50")	This is the official inner dimension; slate thickness is typically 46mm-50mm.
Table Height	800mm to 850mm	Measured from the floor to the top of the cushions.
Pocket Size	85mm (approx. 3.35 inches)	Leather & copper construction.
Rails	S-level "Dragon Ridge" Rubber	Brand: J-Hong; designed for consistent, high-fidelity rebound.
Cloth	Strachan 6811 or Liber Win 8848	High-quality worsted wool cloth for speed and durability.
Balls	57.15mm diameter (2.25 inches)	Weight ranges between 156g-170g; JOY includes Aramith balls.

Courtesy of Deepseek...
They appear marginally smaller than an American pool table, and this is noticeable.

It seemed similar to an 8 foot American pool table.

 

[Flakeandrun]

It seemed similar to an 8 foot American pool table.

Perhaps, I only have experience playing on 9 or 10ft American tables. Played on lots of Chinese tables, and I prefer newer Duya spec tables (and playing 9ball, rather than 8ball). Rasson do American tables immaculately, but their Chinese tables are... meh. Joy tables are nice to be honest, but I don't have 3 hours to spare to finish a set.

 

[GideonF]

It seemed similar to an 8 foot American pool table.

50” X 100” is the standard 9’ pool table size.

It’s not just the size of the pockets, it’s the fact that they are rounded - you can’t play off a pocket facing like an American table. Historically you just couldn’t play a ball down the long rail with any regularity. More recently the Chinese players have learned that if you pound the OB down the rail you can compress the pocket nose and force the ball in.

The top Heyball players are great at cross side banks to deal with balls near the side pockets.

 

[kingwang]

IMO by far the biggest differences, other than the pockets, are

• Snooker cloth instead of pool cloth
• Height of the table - Joy tables are same height as snooker tables. Personally, it makes getting down on the shot much easier
• Cushions - much more reactive than what you'd find on most American tables

I've played on these tables a fair bit and it always takes some time to get used to them. I played one of these events in China last year:

https://cheatingthepocket.substack.com/p/i-went-on-a-free-trip-to-play-pool

 

[Flakeandrun]

IMO by far the biggest differences, other than the pockets, are

• Snooker cloth instead of pool cloth
• Height of the table - Joy tables are same height as snooker tables. Personally, it makes getting down on the shot much easier
• Cushions - much more reactive than what you'd find on most American tables

I've played on these tables a fair bit and it always takes some time to get used to them. I played one of these events in China last year:

https://cheatingthepocket.substack.com/p/i-went-on-a-free-trip-to-play-pool

That was a decent read. Wish I could get the time away from work to compete in more things.

 

[skip100]

50” X 100” is the standard 9’ pool table size.

It’s not just the size of the pockets, it’s the fact that they are rounded - you can’t play off a pocket facing like an American table. Historically you just couldn’t play a ball down the long rail with any regularity. More recently the Chinese players have learned that if you pound the OB down the rail you can compress the pocket nose and force the ball in.

The top Heyball players are great at cross side banks to deal with balls near the side pockets.

It’s noticeably smaller than a 9 foot American pool table. At least that was true of the Joy table I played on. As kingwang noted, it is also higher off the ground.