A question from a new AZ member...

L

Lora_Ann

Registered
Hello all,

I have been lurking for some time now and cherish what I learn from those special folks who take the time to disseminate their knowledge. I have been searching high and low for an answer to my question regarding pocket sizes and how they are measured. When I take a ruler to my old table (presently in pieces...long story, first home, first table...) I measure 5 inches at the opening and 4 inches at the back.

From what I have read, these are “buckets”. What is the best way to tighten them? Are tables regularly produced with these dimensions or is this an exception. I have heard both good and bad things regarding shims so I want to do it right upon initial setup.

Can anyone help?

Regards,

Lora
 
Lora,
Welcome to the board.
Those pockets are buckets.
The immediat remedy is to add another set of shims to them.
To do them the right way, new overlength cushions with extended rails and only one set of facings would be needed.
A very good table mechanic will have to do the job.
 
2 0r 3 options,

Option 1 - Have a table mechanic come and shim it, I have played on many shimmed tables including my ownand they are fine, just dont get crazy, i wouldnt do more than 2 shims, of coarse you will need the rails reclothed.

Option 2 - Have a table mechanic instal new rail rubbers and have him cut them longer producing tighter pockets, Ask around for someone that really knows what they are doing here. If its a bad job thw angles wont be right and then you will be sad. I had new rail rubbers put on about 10 years ago and it was like 300.

Option 3 - Check on ebay for those pocket reducers. they look corney and at first hard to get used to , but after a while you will be drilling the center pocket on any table, The are 2 rubber wedges on a spring that you put inside the pocket,

hope that helps .

Welcome to Az

pat
 
Lora_Ann said:
Hello all,

When I take a ruler to my old table (presently in pieces...long story, first home, first table...) I measure 5 inches at the opening and 4 inches at the back.

From what I have read, these are “buckets”. What is the best way to tighten them? Are tables regularly produced with these dimensions or is this an exception. I have heard both good and bad things regarding shims so I want to do it right upon initial setup.

Can anyone help?

Regards,

Lora
Click to expand...


5 inch pockets are very generous, and will swallow up the balls quite easily. They are great for smoking balls down the rails, and make it much easier to run racks. They are a joy to play on.

However, if you want to sharpen up your aim and so on, tighter pockets may be more desirable, although you'll not be as able to fire balls into them at an angle.

If you want to tighten the pockets without having to recover the table and double shim the pockets, or maybe even triple shim them, you may wish to consider buying a set of "Practice Pro Pocket Reducers" http://www.seyberts.com/instructional/products/

They will definitely make the game tougher, and will hone your aim and shotmaking abilities, IMHO.

They can be removed at will. I think they're great...

If you wish to tighten up the pockets, shimming is another way to go, and if you double shim them or a bit more, so the opening at the mouth of the pocket is 4 1/2 inches, you'll have a table that will be much tougher to play on, and more suitable, IMHO, for games of one pocket.

Before you do any of that though, you might like to play on some tighter pocketed tables to see if they are to your liking. It's quite possible that the tighter pockets will frustrate you to a degree you don't imagine, and that can be discouraging.

However, after practicing on a very tight pocketed table, or one with those pocket reducers installed, if you go to play on a "normal" table with 4 3/4 pro-cut pockets, or the buckets you have now, pocketing balls will be a breeze.

Good luck!

Flex
 
Lora_Ann said:
Hello all,

I have been lurking for some time now and cherish what I learn from those special folks who take the time to disseminate their knowledge. I have been searching high and low for an answer to my question regarding pocket sizes and how they are measured. When I take a ruler to my old table (presently in pieces...long story, first home, first table...) I measure 5 inches at the opening and 4 inches at the back.

From what I have read, these are “buckets”. What is the best way to tighten them? Are tables regularly produced with these dimensions or is this an exception. I have heard both good and bad things regarding shims so I want to do it right upon initial setup.

Can anyone help?

Regards,

Lora
Click to expand...

I've seen quite a few Dufferin tables with fairly big pockets. My Brunswick table also has large pockets, which I like for a lot of reasons. First, it makes the table more playable when non-players come over to the house. But for me, it's the ability to practice new shots with better success, which builds confidence in the shot more quickly. I don't think I could stand to practice all the time on a tight table, it would get too frustrating for new / difficult shots. There is a hall with National s.o.b. tables and their tiny pockets, I'll practice there sometimes, and play league there too.

One trick with large pockets is to always try for a specific part of the pocket. Try to pocket dead center, or to the left or right, not simply put the ball down. That way when you play on tighter tables where cheating the pocket is not advised, you will be used to shooting for the center of the pocket, and have the confidence that you can do so.

As far as the real way to measure, check out the BCA site :

http://www.bca-pool.com/play/ - look under Equipment tab on the left, under 'Equipment Specs'.

Dave, also an EE, and plays with a Falcon M5, but was selling Jack Gorrie network gear before you were in grade 1 (first grade for our American friends)
 
More info

Lora,

First...... Welcome to AZB. :)
Second.. The 5" opening you measured was that a side pocket or a corner pocket? :confused: Side pockets are generally supposed to be 1/2" larger at the opening than corner pockets,so if the 5" is side pocket your corner pockets are probably around 4 1/2" which is "normal".
Third.... Are you married? ( J/K) :D

Terry
 
It's great to have you finally post Lora. Welcome to the Board. I would suggest finding a very good table mechanic and talk to him/her about what you want to do. Good luck!
 
Big Pockets

Lora_Ann said:
Hello all,

I have been lurking for some time now and cherish what I learn from those special folks who take the time to disseminate their knowledge. I have been searching high and low for an answer to my question regarding pocket sizes and how they are measured. When I take a ruler to my old table (presently in pieces...long story, first home, first table...) I measure 5 inches at the opening and 4 inches at the back.

From what I have read, these are “buckets”. What is the best way to tighten them? Are tables regularly produced with these dimensions or is this an exception. I have heard both good and bad things regarding shims so I want to do it right upon initial setup.

Can anyone help?

Regards,

Lora
Click to expand...

Stay with the big pockets. There is no reason to tighten up pockets. I pocket balls in the CENTER of the pocket, so I do not care what size pocket I aim at. Every amateur hears this nonsense about using tight pockets so he/she will get better at pocketing. Stop listening to amateurs, and you will be a lot better off. Just remember, that amateurs can't play at all. That is why they call them amateurs.
 
obrien714 said:
Option 1 - Have a table mechanic come and shim it, I have played on many shimmed tables including my ownand they are fine, just dont get crazy, i wouldnt do more than 2 shims, of coarse you will need the rails reclothed.

Option 2 - Have a table mechanic instal new rail rubbers and have him cut them longer producing tighter pockets, Ask around for someone that really knows what they are doing here. If its a bad job thw angles wont be right and then you will be sad. I had new rail rubbers put on about 10 years ago and it was like 300.

Option 3 - Check on ebay for those pocket reducers. they look corney and at first hard to get used to , but after a while you will be drilling the center pocket on any table, The are 2 rubber wedges on a spring that you put inside the pocket,

hope that helps .

Welcome to Az

pat
Click to expand...

Amateurs always tell other amateurs to shim pockets. What for? You will not shoot any better than you do now. No matter the pocket size, pocket all balls in the center of the pocket. See, that was a no brainer.
 
what is normal

Tbeaux said:
Lora,

First...... Welcome to AZB. :)
Second.. The 5" opening you measured was that a side pocket or a corner pocket? :confused: Side pockets are generally supposed to be 1/2" larger at the opening than corner pockets,so if the 5" is side pocket your corner pockets are probably around 4 1/2" which is "normal".
Third.... Are you married? ( J/K) :D

4 and 1/2 inch pockets are not conducive for amateur players to enjoy playing pool. Too tight for amateurs. You will be frustrated and miss too many shots.
Click to expand...
 
Sonia your in md right?? Do you wanna match up? I will play you in whatever it dont matter I just want to play against you cause you seem to be a really good player. I have learned so much from you in this forum I cant believe what I would be able to learn in person. So what about it lets play!!
 
lukeinva said:
Sonia your in md right?? Do you wanna match up? I will play you in whatever it dont matter I just want to play against you cause you seem to be a really good player. I have learned so much from you in this forum I cant believe what I would be able to learn in person. So what about it lets play!!
Click to expand...

I am in California. So that settles that.
 
sonia said:
Stay with the big pockets. There is no reason to tighten up pockets. I pocket balls in the CENTER of the pocket, so I do not care what size pocket I aim at. Every amateur hears this nonsense about using tight pockets so he/she will get better at pocketing. Stop listening to amateurs, and you will be a lot better off. Just remember, that amateurs can't play at all. That is why they call them amateurs.
Click to expand...

So when is Mike gonna give you your own forum in the Ask the Pro's section?? :confused:

What happens when you have a shot where you can't aim at the center of the pocket? For example, a diagional shot that you need to use spin on to go into the side pocket? I'm not sure if I am explaining that right...see, I am one of those "amateurs that can't play at all". All I know is that you can't even see the center of the pocket when aiming.

:confused: :confused: :confused: <~~~confused amateur and blonde on top of it :eek:....talk about useless information. Teach me master...please. :rolleyes:
 
I checked out the links, and I noticed the bca lists corner pocket mouth Between 4 7/8" minimum to 5 1/8" maximum.

World Pool Billiards Association lists corner pocket mouth between 4.5 and 4.625 inches.

Big difference, what's up?
 
sonia said:
Just remember, that amateurs can't play at all. That is why they call them amateurs.
Click to expand...

Actually, they call them amateurs because they do not make a profession out of the game they play. Many amateurs play p.f.g.. Bobby Jones was the only golfer ever to win golf's grand slam (some Tiger fans might say otherwise, but as incredible as 4 in a row is, we all know that the "grand slam" refers to all of them in the same season). Guess what? He was an amateur.
 
Tight Pockets

Flex said:
5 inch pockets are very generous, and will swallow up the balls quite easily. They are great for smoking balls down the rails, and make it much easier to run racks. They are a joy to play on.

However, if you want to sharpen up your aim and so on, tighter pockets may be more desirable, although you'll not be as able to fire balls into them at an angle.

If you want to tighten the pockets without having to recover the table and double shim the pockets, or maybe even triple shim them, you may wish to consider buying a set of "Practice Pro Pocket Reducers" http://www.seyberts.com/instructional/products/

They will definitely make the game tougher, and will hone your aim and shotmaking abilities, IMHO.

They can be removed at will. I think they're great...

If you wish to tighten up the pockets, shimming is another way to go, and if you double shim them or a bit more, so the opening at the mouth of the pocket is 4 1/2 inches, you'll have a table that will be much tougher to play on, and more suitable, IMHO, for games of one pocket.

Before you do any of that though, you might like to play on some tighter pocketed tables to see if they are to your liking. It's quite possible that the tighter pockets will frustrate you to a degree you don't imagine, and that can be discouraging.

However, after practicing on a very tight pocketed table, or one with those pocket reducers installed, if you go to play on a "normal" table with 4 3/4 pro-cut pockets, or the buckets you have now, pocketing balls will be a breeze.

Good luck!

Flex[/QUOTe

Pocketing balls on a tight table will not become a breeze for you. For unless you have an accurate and consistent aiming system you will not enjoy your stiint at the table with 4 1/2 inch pockets. So far, on the postings I have seen on this forum today, all I have seen are amateurs who do not have an aiming system, such as Center To Edge, or Three Lines.
Click to expand...
 
Humble Opinion

Flex said:
5 inch pockets are very generous, and will swallow up the balls quite easily. They are great for smoking balls down the rails, and make it much easier to run racks. They are a joy to play on.

However, if you want to sharpen up your aim and so on, tighter pockets may be more desirable, although you'll not be as able to fire balls into them at an angle.

If you want to tighten the pockets without having to recover the table and double shim the pockets, or maybe even triple shim them, you may wish to consider buying a set of "Practice Pro Pocket Reducers" http://www.seyberts.com/instructional/products/

They will definitely make the game tougher, and will hone your aim and shotmaking abilities, IMHO.

They can be removed at will. I think they're great...

If you wish to tighten up the pockets, shimming is another way to go, and if you double shim them or a bit more, so the opening at the mouth of the pocket is 4 1/2 inches, you'll have a table that will be much tougher to play on, and more suitable, IMHO, for games of one pocket.

Before you do any of that though, you might like to play on some tighter pocketed tables to see if they are to your liking. It's quite possible that the tighter pockets will frustrate you to a degree you don't imagine, and that can be discouraging.

However, after practicing on a very tight pocketed table, or one with those pocket reducers installed, if you go to play on a "normal" table with 4 3/4 pro-cut pockets, or the buckets you have now, pocketing balls will be a breeze.

Good luck!

Flex
Click to expand...

Honing your aim and shotmaking abilities is adopting an accurate and consistent aiming systems, such as Three Lines or Small Balll. Stop listening to the amateurs.
 
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