A question from Greg Sullivan
- Thread starter jay helfert
- Start date
Internal dimensions.
Last time I measured, 40" x 80" for the 7' coin-ops was the measurement, nose-to-nose.
Fred
hmmmm....no, they've been 40x80 for about the last 30 years or so, same as Global's, Great American's, Dynamo's, Shelty's, Eagle's, and every other 7ft coin op built. As a table mechanic, I've been working on them since 1993...and they were 40x80 back then too.
Glen
ummm, I must take exception to the part about the rooms: yes, they are nicer, prettier, whatever. But unlike the EW rooms, they have tissue paper for walls. If you are blessed with neighbors that like to talk, watch TV, or engage in other activities late at night, you will get to hear it all.
Lou Figueroa
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Some folks have mentioned money, as in if you add enough the players will come. But in today's economy I think a lot of folks are being more selective about when and where they travel to indulge in their hobby.
Sure, the pros are always going to go where the cash is. But the bigger more successful events are built on the backs of the amateur player -- the guys that maybe might on a good day cash, but are attending more out of love for the game, the chance to compete, and maybe garner a few war stories, than anything else.
There is an upcoming event that I would love to go to next month. But it costs more to fly, and stay, and rent a car this year, than it did a couple of years ago. So, regrettably, I'm going to pass. And I think I'm not a lone in how I decide what to do with my disposable pool dollars.
If you're not in the neighborhood, it doesn't matter to the average Joe whether there's $1,000 added or $10,000 added if you don't have a realistic chance of cashing. And so you look at things like the game being played, the format, the table size (and cloth color
and make your decision and it doesn't take much nowadays to take an event off someone's "it's doable" list. As I've said: the market is fractured enough and I don't see the advantage of 8' tournaments. But that's just me.
Lou Figueroa
Sure, the pros are always going to go where the cash is. But the bigger more successful events are built on the backs of the amateur player -- the guys that maybe might on a good day cash, but are attending more out of love for the game, the chance to compete, and maybe garner a few war stories, than anything else.
There is an upcoming event that I would love to go to next month. But it costs more to fly, and stay, and rent a car this year, than it did a couple of years ago. So, regrettably, I'm going to pass. And I think I'm not a lone in how I decide what to do with my disposable pool dollars.
If you're not in the neighborhood, it doesn't matter to the average Joe whether there's $1,000 added or $10,000 added if you don't have a realistic chance of cashing. And so you look at things like the game being played, the format, the table size (and cloth color
and make your decision and it doesn't take much nowadays to take an event off someone's "it's doable" list. As I've said: the market is fractured enough and I don't see the advantage of 8' tournaments. But that's just me.Lou Figueroa
Ok, here is my .02. From what I have observed about pool players and tournaments, this is what the want. They want a inexpensive room and a good amount of added money to the tournament.
If the tournament is in a casino, maybe they could lower the room rate to get the cheapo pool players to book a room. I'm sure the money saved on the room will end up in the casino by other means, ie. gambling. I have seen this many times at the BCA Nationals. Many pool players stay across the street at the Circus Circus because it's cheap and very close to the Riviera.
I think you will get more players by using either the 7ft. or 8ft. tables. Not many of us like our chances playing a top pro on a 9ft. table. I think the top pros will be on top even if the tournament is played on a 7ft. but at least the lesser player feels like they have a little hope.
So, in a nutshell, cheapo room rates, added money, and use the smaller tables (7ft. or 8 ft.). Do these 3 and you will have a big turnout. Oh, giving some advance notice helps too. Some of us actually work for a living and need to put in for vacation time. LOL :thumbup:
If the tournament is in a casino, maybe they could lower the room rate to get the cheapo pool players to book a room. I'm sure the money saved on the room will end up in the casino by other means, ie. gambling. I have seen this many times at the BCA Nationals. Many pool players stay across the street at the Circus Circus because it's cheap and very close to the Riviera.
I think you will get more players by using either the 7ft. or 8ft. tables. Not many of us like our chances playing a top pro on a 9ft. table. I think the top pros will be on top even if the tournament is played on a 7ft. but at least the lesser player feels like they have a little hope.
So, in a nutshell, cheapo room rates, added money, and use the smaller tables (7ft. or 8 ft.). Do these 3 and you will have a big turnout. Oh, giving some advance notice helps too. Some of us actually work for a living and need to put in for vacation time. LOL :thumbup:
Well,i know for sure that players will play in a tournament with 8footers that wouldn't consider playing in one with 9 footers. They just put a diamond 8 footer in the Athens poolroom,its pro-cut with 4 1/2" pockets. Diamond claimed it was the first 8 foot diamond they've put in Al. They now have more playing on the 8 footer than the 9 foot diamond. In this area most learned how to play on 8 footers since a 9 footer was rare anywhere in the state. This is the main reason they ended up playing on barboxes later on. I think it would get the barbox players and the 9 footers also. Is does make a difference to the barbox player as to the table they play. You think Jesse Bowman would be a underdog on a 8 footer like he is a 9 footer? I will say this,i would play when there is no way i would play on a 9 foot diamond. One things for sure,you won't know until you try it!
8 foot tables
GREG,
just last evening i was in ocala fl. i was told by one of the pool tournament directors, that the apa which is fairly large there ,is played 85% or more on 8 and 9 foot tables. orlando leagues are held 80% or so at the trick shot locations on 8 foot tables. in addition as a vendor i find that valley has started putting 8 foot tables in select locationsin the last 2 years. if this is a trend in other parts of the country then 8 footers would probably be welcome to all except who play on only 7 footers in the outlaying bars. 8 foot players dont mind going down to a 7 footer once in awhile but 7 foot people are intimidated by the 8 foot table if they are not used to playing on them. i know this from 17 years league experience with these people.
my 2 cents or today and have a good day!:thumbup:
GREG,
just last evening i was in ocala fl. i was told by one of the pool tournament directors, that the apa which is fairly large there ,is played 85% or more on 8 and 9 foot tables. orlando leagues are held 80% or so at the trick shot locations on 8 foot tables. in addition as a vendor i find that valley has started putting 8 foot tables in select locationsin the last 2 years. if this is a trend in other parts of the country then 8 footers would probably be welcome to all except who play on only 7 footers in the outlaying bars. 8 foot players dont mind going down to a 7 footer once in awhile but 7 foot people are intimidated by the 8 foot table if they are not used to playing on them. i know this from 17 years league experience with these people.
my 2 cents or today and have a good day!:thumbup:
tables matter imo
i disagree to a point. players actually comment on the tables that are going to be at the tournament and their condition in the most part that i am around.
take a tournament with ratty old valleys and /or new DIAMONDS the turnout is going to be quite different, as the player knows he is going to be on good equipment.
i disagree to a point. players actually comment on the tables that are going to be at the tournament and their condition in the most part that i am around.
take a tournament with ratty old valleys and /or new DIAMONDS the turnout is going to be quite different, as the player knows he is going to be on good equipment.
As a spectator at the Derby, I thought having both 7 footers and 9 footers for different events was a great idea. The bar box crowd and the 9 foot crowd rarely go both ways. When the mini-tournys were every day and night on the small tables they always seemed to be full. The 9 footers attracted more one pocket action it seemed. Compromising to appease both crowds may backfire and satisfy no one. The Derby was my favorite pool event and I havent gone the past two years because of higher costs. I do not think I am alone in this line of thought. Most guys do not EXPECT to cash in a tourny but they do budget themselves with traveling expenses. To them, cashing out is a bonus.
You nailed this description perfectly.If you're not in the neighborhood, it doesn't matter to the average Joe whether there's $1,000 added or $10,000 added if you don't have a realistic chance of cashing. And so you look at things like the game being played, the format, the table size (and cloth color
Well Lou, you have just upped the room population by 10%. Pool players are know Voyeurs.:thumbup:
8ft or
Private joke, everyone.
When the USPS gets rid of Saturday delivery and you have more time to play, I'm bumping you up to a 10 to make it fair.
Private joke, everyone.