9 ft bar box

[DynoDan]

To me, ‘Bar Box’ (derogatory term) is any coin-op table shorter than 9’. Though typically a 7’ Valley, I have played on some 6-footers, and the 8’ examples all had the oversized CB. Anything 9’ or longer (trad. pro size) using regulation balls should merely be labeled ‘coin-op’.

 

[DynoDan]

BTW: Interesting related observation: Watching an old English TV mystery just now, actors playing pool in a pub, 7’ (or 8‘?) table with no diamond rail markers, rounded-corner/snooker-style pockets/cushions, and 15 un-numbered balls, 7 yellow, 7 red, one black. Typical UK barbox?

 

[MattPoland]

To me most any 7' table (Valley, Shelti, Diamond, or Predator) is going to be a bar box, or bar table (used interchangeably). Maybe the exceptions are the ornate 7' furniture tables. I don't encounter many 9' tables to be honest with them usually being Diamonds / Gold Crowns in person and Predator / Rasson on TV and certainly wouldn't call them bar boxes. I've encountered a more classic table in Puerto Rico with a grossly larger cueball. Never seen one in America but I'd likely just call it a mud ball table.

I can see why Predator and Diamond would like to disassociate with the term bar box. I don't think that's stuck with the public in general. Hasn't changed the event name wording you see with events like the US Bar Table Championships, Midwest Bar Table Classic, etc.

 

[Cornerman]

To me, ‘Bar Box’ (derogatory term) is any coin-op table shorter than 9’. Though typically a 7’ Valley, I have played on some 6-footers, and the 8’ examples all had the oversized CB. Anything 9’ or longer (trad. pro size) using regulation balls should merely be labeled ‘coin-op’.

I think this is exactly the post of why my post is pertinent. The table I showed was for sure a bar box, but it is a nine foot, and it takes the bar cue balls, whether oversized/heavier/cage insert/universal b metal, flake. These type of tables are very rare, and I’m glad to see that other people have seen them across the country here and there. It’s built with all the same type of internal and externals that you expect to see in barboxes from Valley/dynamo, etc.

 

[hurricane145]

The Name of the Game Tavern in Shoreline WA had two 9 ft coin op tables. They are the only two that I ever saw. There were eight, 8ft coin ops as well there. As I recall, they were a mix of Baker and Quality coin ops with oversize cue balls. The 9 ft tables were never very popular. The slate cut quite deep into the pockets so there was a lot of ball ejections if hit hard.
7ft coin ops were common around town at the time. Did run into one 6ft coin op as well. The tavern is still there so it might be too. Most all the taverns we used to play at around here and elsewhere are gone now.

 

[DeeDeeCues]

BTW: Interesting related observation: Watching an old English TV mystery just now, actors playing pool in a pub, 7’ (or 8‘?) table with no diamond rail markers, rounded-corner/snooker-style pockets/cushions, and 15 un-numbered balls, 7 yellow, 7 red, one black. Typical UK barbox?

From my time in UK, they are generally 6', but otherwise as described. It's eightball without numbers, so 'slop' counts except for the black. Called 'blackball'. Harder game than it sounds like it should be.

 

[DynoDan]

I also noticed the balls were snooker-size.

From my time in UK, they are generally 6', but otherwise as described. It's eightball without numbers, so 'slop' counts except for the black. Called 'blackball'. Harder game than it sounds like it should be.

I also noticed the balls were smaller/snooker-size, though still, those rounded pockets would likely give typical U.S. ’barbox’ bangers fits.

 

[cueman]

I won a lot of tournaments in Bolivar, Missouri on a nine foot bar box. Most pool rooms had seven footers and they had some seven footers also. When I had my pool room I had some eight foot bar boxes and one nine foot gold crown. I think eight foot bar tables are what I played my best pool on.

 

[Dunnn51]

To me, ‘Bar Box’ (derogatory term) is any coin-op table shorter than 9’. Though typically a 7’ Valley, I have played on some 6-footers, and the 8’ examples all had the oversized CB. Anything 9’ or longer (trad. pro size) using regulation balls should merely be labeled ‘coin-op’.

I remember my Dad playing on tables that were bigger than tables in other bars. I'll guess they were 8 ft. They looked exactly like any other table. I learned the game on an 8ft Olhausen with drop pockets and red cloth at a "private" lodge. Was that a "barbox?"

 

[BarBoxROB]

They existed. I played on one 35 year: ago, and it was heinous since we used the big ball. Today’s newbies think those tables never existed. Here’s one. And here’s the owner. He bought it some 25-30 years ago and has first rights of refusal if the current bar owner sells it. 9’ bar table with the Universal B table (mud ball).

They had some in a poolroom/machine room in a strip mall in South Williamson WV. a couple of years ago but the place has now shut down.

 

[DaveK]

There was one in Saskatoon Canada, but I haven't been to Davids Lounge for many (8 or 10) years now so it may be gone. It was in the back room, a very solid coin-op table with the heavy cueball (IIRC) ... and was most certainly 9'.

Dave