Anyone ever used Practice Pro Pocket Reducers?

[JohnnyShakes]

I just picked up a set of these things. Figured for $40 I couldn't go wrong, since I'd have to spend about that much in gas to and from the nearest sub 4.5" pockets. I'm no world beater by any stretch of the imagination, but these things make it TOUGH to run balls. First day it probably took me 30 minutes to run 4 balls in a row. My pockets went from 4 7/8" to about 3 3/8". They also don't seem to like slow rolled balls unless you split the pocket, but you have a little more margin for error if you fire the ball in. Which is the opposite of the way my table used to play.

Anyway, I've had them for about a week, and I've noticed that, on reflection, I'm not shooting at home as much as I was before I put them in. Not sure if it's just a schedule thing, or a subconscious desire to stay away because I can't make balls anymore. I'd like to leave them in, because in theory they should help me improve my accuracy, but if I don't play enough, I doubt I'll see the improvements I want.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar while using these? Is it just temporary, until you get more used to them, or are they better in theory than in reality? I'd like to think I can force myself to bear down and deal with it, but I'm noticing slight rolls in my table a lot more, because anything that isn't perfect makes an awful THUNK sound when they hit the insert. And I worry that if I train myself to start firing balls in, my game might actually regress.

Anyway, I would love to hear thoughts from anyone who has used these things.

Johnny

 

[Petros Andrikop]

It's better to arrange pocket size upon cloth installation.

Pockets should not be too small, that really doesn't help practice as much as people think, most of the times it does the opposite.

That happens for two reasons:

1. Psychological
2. Does not allow pocket cheating which is essential to position play.

Rico Diks, former European champion was in Athens once, we had a practice table with really small pockets at the club I used to play.
He played a little on it just for fun and stated that: "If I had to play at such tables I would quit pool", I believe that says it all...

So try to arrange having normal sized pockets (not too big, not too small either) and enjoy practice!
Petros

 

[APA BRIAN]

Yes! I bought them and loved them. It will sharpen your game fast. You stare down at a 3 1/2 inch pocket eventually when you step to a regular table, everything looks like a layup. They arent too expensive either.

 

[CJ Wiley]

don't play regular games, create shot-making drills to enhance your accuracy

I just picked up a set of these things. Figured for $40 I couldn't go wrong, since I'd have to spend about that much in gas to and from the nearest sub 4.5" pockets. I'm no world beater by any stretch of the imagination, but these things make it TOUGH to run balls. First day it probably took me 30 minutes to run 4 balls in a row. My pockets went from 4 7/8" to about 3 3/8". They also don't seem to like slow rolled balls unless you split the pocket, but you have a little more margin for error if you fire the ball in. Which is the opposite of the way my table used to play.

Anyway, I've had them for about a week, and I've noticed that, on reflection, I'm not shooting at home as much as I was before I put them in. Not sure if it's just a schedule thing, or a subconscious desire to stay away because I can't make balls anymore. I'd like to leave them in, because in theory they should help me improve my accuracy, but if I don't play enough, I doubt I'll see the improvements I want.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar while using these? Is it just temporary, until you get more used to them, or are they better in theory than in reality? I'd like to think I can force myself to bear down and deal with it, but I'm noticing slight rolls in my table a lot more, because anything that isn't perfect makes an awful THUNK sound when they hit the insert. And I worry that if I train myself to start firing balls in, my game might actually regress.

Anyway, I would love to hear thoughts from anyone who has used these things.

Johnny

I have some, but only use them to practice long, straight in shots. The key to pool is hitting the cue ball accurately and precisely, if the pockets are unnaturally tight you can't play the natural zones (3 Part Pocket System).

I'm ok with 4" Pockets, however the pocket liners don't duplicate regular pockets, so they sometimes won't even accept well hit balls. This could cause damage (confidence) and you may be getting this message subconsciously - that's why you're shying away from playing at home now. imo

I do believe they can be beneficial, just don't play regular games, create shot-making drills to enhance your stoking accuracy, not cue ball control.

 

[Diogenes]

Anyway, I've had them for about a week, and I've noticed that, on reflection, I'm not shooting at home as much as I was before I put them in. Not sure if it's just a schedule thing, or a subconscious desire to stay away because I can't make balls anymore. I'd like to leave them in, because in theory they should help me improve my accuracy, but if I don't play enough, I doubt I'll see the improvements I want.

I don't believe that Practice Pro Pocket Reducers are meant (or designed) to be left against the rails 24/7. They are simply a different means of practicing by hitting at a smaller open hole. The people that I know who have them usually just put them in for about 30 minutes to an hour of practice and then take them out and (most always) play without them.
I have never used them because I don't feel comfortable with a tight spring pushing sideways against the inside of my rails like that, I'm concerned that the inside rail cushion facings on my table may become loose, hard or lifeless from the pressure (or even worse) effect the adhesive mounting of the rail cushions themselves... but then again I'm kind of OCD about my table being tuned as perfect as possible.
I have to ask (because it sounds like you are doing this), why are you leaving them attached when they only take a few seconds to place and remove?
Again the key word is in the product title... "Practice Pro".

 

[3andstop]

It's better to arrange pocket size upon cloth installation.

Pockets should not be too small, that really doesn't help practice as much as people think, most of the times it does the opposite.

That happens for two reasons:

1. Psychological
2. Does not allow pocket cheating which is essential to position play.

Rico Diks, former European champion was in Athens once, we had a practice table with really small pockets at the club I used to play.
He played a little on it just for fun and stated that: "If I had to play at such tables I would quit pool", I believe that says it all...

So try to arrange having normal sized pockets (not too big, not too small either) and enjoy practice!
Petros

I was going to reply to this thread .... No need to. Excellent answer.

 

[cyork2]

I agree with above - use them for specific practice shots but not for games. Not only do they reduce the pocket size but the angle of the pocket is totally off with them installed making it nearly impossible to roll a ball in down a rail.

If your pockets are too easy have an installer remove the felt on the rails and add these:
http://www.cuestore.com/billiard_supplies/other/pool_table_parts/1/tp5145

I used this type of shim on an AE Schmidt table I had years ago and I thought it was a good compromise (since at the time I wasn't getting a new table).

 

[naji]

IMO setting up combination shots with varying separation distances is the best way to practice, it actually offer the best diagnostic tool for your aim and stroke, frustrating in the beginning but the rewards are very high.

 

[Okie]

It's better to arrange pocket size upon cloth installation.

Pockets should not be too small, that really doesn't help practice as much as people think, most of the times it does the opposite.

That happens for two reasons:

1. Psychological
2. Does not allow pocket cheating which is essential to position play.

Rico Diks, former European champion was in Athens once, we had a practice table with really small pockets at the club I used to play.
He played a little on it just for fun and stated that: "If I had to play at such tables I would quit pool", I believe that says it all...

So try to arrange having normal sized pockets (not too big, not too small either) and enjoy practice!
Petros

Great post Petros!

I currently own a table which was used by Johnny Archer in the 90's to do an exhibition at a local pool hall. Johnny stated that this was the tightest table he had ever played on! Here's the thing...the pockets are 4.75". I am sure today his opinion would be different. I saw Johnny run 11.3 racks of Pool300 within the last year on a Diamond with 4.5" pockets. My point is that us old timers played on equipment which was much more fun for the average player. Beating ourselves to death on 3" pockets is not the way to develop the game. Almost all of us will quit if we do not get some form of success as we practice.

I have had a set of pocket reducers for many years. They are effective but should only be used for drills IMO. The link below is shooting straight in shots into a 4.5" pocket which is reduced to about 3" by using the reducers.

http://www.justin.tv/0kie/b/367651012

Hope this helps!

Ken