9' or 7' table???

I always wondered what the demensions of a room should be for a 7 or 9 ft table should be. Figured it was more than say add table size + cue length + back stroke. Maybe thats all it is.
 
Being a pool table mechanic I know that a table is only "as good as the installer",

I see people spend these thousands more on a diamond 7' table then other brands such as Olhausen.

Yes Olhausen is 3 piece slate BUT having worked on them compared to 1 piece slates where you get what you get(referring to imperfections and ridges in all slate) on a 3 piece it allows for maximum adjustments when setting up to get it basically as flat as humanly possible (this has more of an impact with Simonis cloth vs napped cloth).

Im sure this will start some debate on the Diamond lovers and Im not taking away from them being a great table, just know that tables are only as good as the installer and the price is as ridiculous as Kamui chalk...$28 a cube? C'Mon Man! ;)

Would you not want to play on my table shown here? 7ft Olhausen, made in USA, lifetime warranty on whole table including cushions (doesnt include cloth obviously lol)? Costs THOUSANDS less than a Diamond, basically your paying for a name, like Nike vs Adidas.

Jeff


Jeff, I got to call BS on this one buddy. NO real table mechanic in this country would put Olhausen and Diamond in the same statement, with Olhausen coming out on top;) but...an installer would. I understand you feeling that a 3 piece slate is much better than a one piece slate...but it's clear you've not put in much time working on the Diamond's with the one piece slates, or you'd be singing a different tune, but you're right...a table is only as good as the installer that sets it up, a real table mechanic would have no problems with setting up either;) Olhausen tables are cheap to buy used when compared to buying a used Diamond....but there's a big reason for that, the Diamond don't lose it's resale value like all other pool tables do, and the reason for that is...it's built like a tank, and shows less wear & tear compared to every other table on the market, therefore retaining it's value...can't say that about an Olhausen, but I understand there's a market for this kind of pool table sale...the buyer that knows nothing about a pool table, and is only interested in the lowest price for the money;)

Oh, and by the way, Diamond is made in the USA as well:thumbup:

Glen
 
I'm about to order a Diamond pool table. Now to decide which size to get....

7' - Will fit in my dining room. 99.999% of all pool i play is on barbox tables. There is only 1 pool room near me which has 9' tables and i hardly ever go.

9' - Will fit in my garage. Will help to make me a better shot maker. I do like playing one pocket and straight pool. And the fact i never go to a pool room this would be nice. Downfall is trying to adjust back to 7' tables for ALL of my league and tournament play.

So which way do i go?
is easy to adjust to 9, you will murder that 7
 
I am in the same boat, I love one pocket but all of my leagues, state tournaments, casino tournaments, and nationals are on 7 foot. Thus I got a 7ft because you are going to need a lot of work on break outs playing 8 and 9 ball on bar box because in my opinion balls tend to group a lot more on the smaller playing surface.

Being a pool table mechanic I know that a table is only "as good as the installer", I see people spend these thousands more on a diamond 7' table then other brands such as Olhausen. Yes Olhausen is 3 piece slate BUT having worked on them compared to 1 piece slates where you get what you get(referring to imperfections and ridges in all slate) on a 3 piece it allows for maximum adjustments when setting up to get it basically as flat as humanly possible (this has more of an impact with Simonis cloth vs napped cloth). Im sure this will start some debate on the Diamond lovers and Im not taking away from them being a great table, just know that tables are only as good as the installer and the price is as ridiculous as Kamui chalk...$28 a cube? C'Mon Man! ;)

Would you not want to play on my table shown here? 7ft Olhausen, made in USA, lifetime warranty on whole table including cushions (doesnt include cloth obviously lol)? Costs THOUSANDS less than a Diamond, basically your paying for a name, like Nike vs Adidas.


So my vote for you is a 7ft for practice/serious play and go to pool hall for your fun time with 1 pocket and straight pool :)

Best of rolls my friend!
Jeff

Buy a Diamond, you will not be disappointed. I almost bought an Olhausen before I got my Gold Crown, that would have been nothing less than a huge mistake. I have played on some commercial 9' and "furniture" Olhausens and I would say they play terrible at the best. I have only been playing 2 years and I play on 7' league tables too and my 9' table helps a lot when going to a 7' table, there are no long shots. I get plenty of grouped balls on my 9' table so I would not even take the ball cluster thing into consideration.
 
Have to honest with yourself in terms of your habits. Where you put the table can make a big difference in terms how much you end up practicing.

Another thought is that if you are more interested in practicing than socializing with the table, you can put a bigger table in a smaller space and just practice drills from one end or side. Something to consider...
 
I always wondered what the demensions of a room should be for a 7 or 9 ft table should be. Figured it was more than say add table size + cue length + back stroke. Maybe thats all it is.


I would add a little to those measurements. 14'x18' seems a little cramped for the 9 footer. Figure it this way, you need a minimum of 5' from the playing surface on each side. More is better.

A couple of tips for setting up in the garage:

1) Use some form of carpeting, even indoor-outdoor is better than the concrete slab. The first time you or a guest drops their cue you'll thank me.

2) Put the foot end (racking area) towards the back wall. That way any balls flying overboard on the snap won't tend to go bouncing on the asphalt out side if you occasionally play with the garage door open or cracked.

3) If you need to cheat a little for fit, give the extra few inches at the foot end. You will not as often have to shoot straight up table with the cue ball parked on the head rail and very few players I know break with the cue ball on the head rail either so you don't need all that space for the break. Worst case you have the option to open the garage door to execute a shot.

4) Consider the idea of placing the table off center. As long as it's the minimum 5' from one side wall you're good. Doing this has some benefits. For me it allowed me to also still park one car in the garage (just back it out on the driveway when I play). It also may make it easier to install a table light if there is a garage door opener taking up the middle of the ceiling. Lastly, it gives you one side with plenty of room for spectators without them constantly having to get up and move their chair so a player can shoot.

5) A roll up door is much preferred because it seals the garage. Less dirt and stuff gets in and much more efficient for any climate control (especially if insulated). It also keeps those pesky insects out that are attracted to the table light after dark, that can and do get in through the cracks of the typical tilt up door.
 
Last edited:
I'm about to order a Diamond pool table. Now to decide which size to get....

7' - Will fit in my dining room. 99.999% of all pool i play is on barbox tables. There is only 1 pool room near me which has 9' tables and i hardly ever go.

9' - Will fit in my garage. Will help to make me a better shot maker. I do like playing one pocket and straight pool. And the fact i never go to a pool room this would be nice. Downfall is trying to adjust back to 7' tables for ALL of my league and tournament play.

So which way do i go?

Do you play apa
 
I would add a little to those measurements. 14'x18' seems a little cramped for the 9 footer. Figure it this way, you need a minimum of 5' from the playing surface on each side. More is better.

A couple of tips for setting up in the garage:

1) Use some form of carpeting, even indoor-outdoor is better than the concrete slab. The first time you or a guest drops their cue you'll thank me.

2) Put the foot end (racking area) towards the back wall. That way any balls flying overboard on the snap won't tend to go bouncing on the asphalt out side if you occasionally play with the garage door open or cracked.

3) If you need to cheat a little for fit, give the extra few inches at the foot end. You will not as often have to shoot straight up table with the cue ball parked on the head rail and very few players I know break with the cue ball on the head rail either so you don't need all that space for the break. Worst case you can open the garage door to execute a shot.

4) Consider the idea of placing the table off center. As long as it's the minimum 5' from one side wall you're good. Doing this has a couple of benefits. For me it allowed me to also still park one car in the garage (just back it out on the driveway when I play). It also may make it easier to install a table light if there is a garage door opener taking up the middle of the ceiling. Lastly, it gives you one side with plenty of room for spectators without them constantly having to get up and move their chair so a player can shoot.

5) A roll up door is much preferred because it seals the garage. Less dirt and stuff gets in and much more efficient for any climate control (especially if insulated). It also keeps those pesky insects out that are attracted by the table light after dark, that can and do get in through the cracks of the typical tilt up door.

Thanks. All good info.
 
I vaguely recall reading in this forum Earl Strickland quoted as saying he wasn't fond of the diamond 7 footer. I think he said the same playing characteristics which make the 9 footer so fine just don't mesh with the 7 footer.
 
I vaguely recall reading in this forum Earl Strickland quoted as saying he wasn't fond of the diamond 7 footer. I think he said the same playing characteristics which make the 9 footer so fine just don't mesh with the 7 footer.

I don't think Earl likes Diamonds very much period. He complains that the "boing" too much- like a pinball machine. I think he also stated that he won all of his majors on tables other than Diamonds. I think he prefers Gold Crowns.

When did Diamonds come on the scene? Early 2000s? Right around the time Earl stopped winning "majors"?
 
I don't think Earl likes Diamonds very much period. He complains that the "boing" too much- like a pinball machine. I think he also stated that he won all of his majors on tables other than Diamonds. I think he prefers Gold Crowns.

When did Diamonds come on the scene? Early 2000s? Right around the time Earl stopped winning "majors"?

Hmmmm...didn't Earl just win the Turning Stone event...on Diamonds? For what its worth, Earl does like playing on the newer blue label Diamonds...and for the record...Diamond has been around since about 1988;)
 
Hmmmm...didn't Earl just win the Turning Stone event...on Diamonds? For what its worth, Earl does like playing on the newer blue label Diamonds...and for the record...Diamond has been around since about 1988;)

I meant his US Open and world titles. I think he stated that when being interviewed for his bar table match with Shane this past summer

Earl is playing very well on all tables right now. He would complain about even perfect conditions. That is just his way of life!
 
Earl won on that diamond

Hmmmm...didn't Earl just win the Turning Stone event...on Diamonds? For what its worth, Earl does like playing on the newer blue label Diamonds...and for the record...Diamond has been around since about 1988;)

Earl sure did win at turning stone, but boy he wasn't shy about rapping the sh!t out of that diamond every time he played on the TV table. Was ranting about how it was the worst pin ball table he's ever played on. And in the next sentence, the commentators were talking about how the tables were for sale, lol.
 
Hmmmm...didn't Earl just win the Turning Stone event...on Diamonds? For what its worth, Earl does like playing on the newer blue label Diamonds...and for the record...Diamond has been around since about 1988;)

I just played on a blue label Diamond bar box on Sunday nite for the first time, I have played on the red label tables before. Our bar just got a brand new one and I was surprised how different they play than each other. The cushions were noticably less springy on the Blue label table.
 
Back
Top