9' Table Allergy?

What's your favorite table size?

  • 7'

    Votes: 1 2.2%

  • 8'

    Votes: 6 13.3%

  • 9'

    Votes: 34 75.6%

  • 10'

    Votes: 2 4.4%

  • 12

    Votes: 2 4.4%
  • Total voters
    45
C

CapnCarom

New member
I recently read a (topic unrelated to this, per se) post here where someone mentioned that he's "deathly afraid" (paraphrasing) of 9' tables, and will only play on 7' bar boxes. I think he mentioned 8-ball as a favorite game, IIRC. I just cringed a little bit when I read that, but after thinking about it for a while I can recall several players (some of which I'd classify as "pretty darn good") who've expressed the same feeling over the years. I've been playing for 50+ years myself, starting out very casually on a coin-op 7' in a bowling alley, then getting more "into it" in my teens, playing mostly 14-1 in a smoke-filled poolroom complete with spittoons in the corners (!), no loud talking allowed, and only the lights were over the tables - which were all 9' Brunswicks. At the time, I was a shot-maker; could care less about how long the shot was - my vision was good, and my form was consistent enough that the table length didn't even enter my thought process. At times, because 14-1 could be a Very long game, my friends and I would play some 8-ball. So, I too got to like that game. It was years before I ever played again on a 7', when I joined a bar league in California. That's when I discovered: Geez! 8-ball on a 9' table is SO much easier!!! The bottom line seems to be when, once you've played enough 8-ball on a bigger surface, you'll learn that those pesky long shots aren't necessarily ... well, necessary! You gravitate to short patterns, 1/2-table patterns, plan & maximize the use of stop-shots, and home your ball-placement skills. Because there's generally more open space between balls on the large table, you get an extra bit of "freedom" much of the time, whereas on the 7' table, the congestion can often dictate early, necessary safety play. So, my advice to anyone hesitant to jump on a 9' table is: consider the things I've mentioned, and just give it a try! For those already comfortable on the 9's, go find a 6x12' snooker table and practice some of your pool drills!!! Ya, it's a humbling experience!
What do you think?
 
All I've ever played regularly on are 9-footers, so the few times I ever get on a barbox for a game, I'm all out of whack, too. Completely different perspective. Not afraid, or "allergic". Just different.
 
8-ball on a bar box is a great game.

8-ball on a big table sucks.

9-ball on a bar box sucks.

9-ball on a big table is a great game.

One Pocket on a bar box sucks.

I can go on and on.
 
been my experience when going to a 7' my eyes get big thinking this easier, pockets are so close. Playing fields are a changing, I thinking it's idealist ideologist or maybe SBC who has a gig going, trading out tables, looking for 9'rs with snookers style pockets.

at first seeing the post "table allergy's" I was thinking somebody had/ having the same issues I was having, balls where jumping of the rail, the head/foot rail would get nearly a foot in the air on stout hit, now, not so much, improving weekly, table is only under heat and air time when on, 'in use time".
I'm not sure which it is or isn't, moving/adjusting to the climate change; the acrylic bed or the wood frame/rails, rail getting an allergy, tilting in/down just little, it isn't much as far as measurements but that thing jumps, or it did, like I said, me a lot happier, I wasn't taking it apart.
 
I’ve played 98% of billiards on 12’ Snooker tables and 9’ pool tables. I just don’t frequent or play in bars. Nothing against smaller tables but it’s more the setting. Not into drinking, loud TVs/music, etc. I also like clean, well maintained tables.

I’ve never played on a coin operated table. Maybe someday I’ll play on a refurbished one at a house but the one’s in bars seem a bit scuzzy.
 
While my favorite table is 8-foot {because it is in my home}
I have no fear of larger of smaller tables.
Each comes with advantages and disadvantages.
Smaller tables makes you have to deal with more clusters and more difficulty moving the CB around.
Larger tables makes you shoot more precisely (and possibly harder) to get the CB to move around.
It is just different, not better or worse.
 
I fear the bar box. Actually no, I just flat out hate them even though i actually play really good on them.
 
ideologist said:
8-ball on a bar box is a great game.

8-ball on a big table sucks.

9-ball on a bar box sucks.

9-ball on a big table is a great game.

One Pocket on a bar box sucks.

I can go on and on.
Click to expand...
I think they are all better on a 9 footer.
The only reason I say that is because 10 foot tables are rarer than hens teeth but
I would prefer a 10 footer over a 9 footer.
 
I guess now I like 8 footers the best because that's what I have in my house. Used to be, a lot of pool rooms would have a lot of 8 footers in them. They were easier for players who started out on bar boxes or guys like me who just aren't that good.
 
After playing 1P for 20 years I got talked into joining a bar box 8 ball league. WOW, I was pleasantly surprised how easy 8 ball was. So many tough situations were resolved by my 1P knowledge. I only lost one game that season. I quit after that because Valley bar boxes suck and I just didnt enjoy it.
 
philly said:
I think they are all better on a 9 footer.
The only reason I say that is because 10 foot tables are rarer than hens teeth but
I would prefer a 10 footer over a 9 footer.
Click to expand...
One Pocket is easier on a 10 than on a 9

8b is easier on a 9 than on a 7
 
I voted 9' because I have a 9' table at home (a 7' table too) but I would say I like them equally. Mostly depends on the game. I couldnt imagine playing 14.1 or 1 pocket on a 7' table so I guess that makes the 9' the favorite, its more versatile. A lot of league players like to say they prefer 9' tables until you offer to play on a 9' table, then its the 7' table they prefer.
 
No table is ‘easier’ than any other if you are playing an opponent. It’s just a different strategy. Both players have the same advantages and disadvantages. On a large table, an experienced player is better at long potting...on a smaller table the same player is better at snookering his opponent.

A good player adjust his game to the table and skill level of his opponent. An ‘ok’ player is usually just trying to pocket a ball.

Most league players are ‘ok’ players so they are happier on a smaller table as they aren’t using any thought out strategy.
 
one of the rec centers I attended at a younger age had a barbox
some of the locals would bring their own equipment.

i still preferred the 9 footer always makes me feel like I am in my own movie scene.

I did some demos on the barbox, the skills transfer very easily.
 
i've played on them small size tables, congestion wasn't an insurmountable problem, so i've never bought that argument. i understand that people play on them when there's nothing else around, i would too. i've played on coin-ops quite a bit, out of necessity, but i find it flat out retarded compared to real tables.

english 8-ball tables, i feel the same about them, ok it's tougher, but it's also a 6 feet guy reaching a shot close by the far pocket with ease. they used to atleast have their world championship on 8ft tables back in the day. (and quinten hann showed up in a white suit and beat them all)

to me a 9ft american pool table is the ultimate table, suitable for straight pool, rotation, one pocket, eight ball. the chinese tables are a fun variation, but probably only for eight ball enthusiasts imo.
 
People that only know bar tables are clearly going to be hesitant of playing on a 9 footers, although not many would actively avoid them. A bit like players that think they are good players but only play their friends on their home tables and then can't even beat C players when they venture out to a pool hall. It's easier to be comfortable with what you are used to and not go to something that makes your ego bruise.
 
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