Are 7,8 or 9 feet pool tables proportionate?

MasterClass

MasterClass

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello

Does anyone knows if 7,8 or 9 feet table proportionate? Will it do any good to practice shape or kicks on a smaller table and get the same angles on the larger ones?

Would the diamond system be the same on the 7 feet table as compared to a 9 feet table?


I thought that is works as sort of a reverse psychology like practicing potting on a 10 feet table will make have an improvement in sighting and confidence when you go back on the 9 feet table. So by learnning to kick on the 7 feet which makes it much easier to see and learn the point to aim and hit will also do the same for confidence and accuracy in kicking.

What do you think? Will it be any good or do i sound like some loony?
 
I'll let someone more versed in kick systems answer that part, but as for practicing shape, in a word...Yes, any decent table will be better than nothing for practicing shape.. Keep in mind, however, that playing shape on a 7 foot table is much different than playing shape on a 9 foot table. On a 7 footer, you will play the same 9 ball pattern differently than you will on a 9 footer, for multiple reasons..

1. The pockets are bigger compared to the area of the table, making scratches easier..

2. Position zones for balls that are tricky to get on are much smaller on a 7 footer..

3. Playing position for a bank on a 7 footer may be the right shot, whereas on a 9 footer it isn't.

There are a lot of people on here that insist that playing on bar tables is much easier than on 9 footers, and that bar tables are a joke.. IF you know HOW to play on a bar table, this is true. If not, then the guy that does know how to play on a bar table is gonna drill you.

What bar table haters keep glossing over is the fact that Keith McCready consistently beat everyone on the bar tables. If anyone technically "can" get beat by a lesser player on bar tables, then how is it that Keith consistently beat everyone? I don't get it. You'd think if bar table pool was just about whoever was lucky enough to get the first shot, then Keith would not have done so well. Maybe one of the haters will explain it to me.. :D

Russ
 
Why would bank be different on a smaller table?

Do you mean that on a smaller table, long banks are easier to attempt and not when on a 9 feet table? Or aiming would be different? I still bank the same way on 7,8 or 9. Never really notice any difference.

Anyone has any comments about kicking?
 
I'm not an expert , but i dont think there is no difference in kicking or banking on any size table. The diamond system stays the same. The only thing that i think you have to adjust on playing 7,8 or 9 foot tables is playing shape. of course this is only in my opinion and in my experience in playing on all three table sizes.
 
MasterClass said:
Hello

Does anyone knows if 7,8 or 9 feet table proportionate? Will it do any good to practice shape or kicks on a smaller table and get the same angles on the larger ones?

Would the diamond system be the same on the 7 feet table as compared to a 9 feet table?


I thought that is works as sort of a reverse psychology like practicing potting on a 10 feet table will make have an improvement in sighting and confidence when you go back on the 9 feet table. So by learnning to kick on the 7 feet which makes it much easier to see and learn the point to aim and hit will also do the same for confidence and accuracy in kicking.

What do you think? Will it be any good or do i sound like some loony?
Click to expand...

They all have the same 2:1 ratio.

Though the 7, 8, and 9 are somewhat nominal - like a 2 x 4 stud,
all sizes have playing areas twice as long as wide

distances are measured from nose-to-nose of opposite cushions

7' = 40 x 80
8' = 44 x 88 <the neferious "home style" 4 x 8>
8' = 46 x 92 <a real 8', AKA Pro or Ovesize>
9' = 50 x 100
10' = 56 x 112

Kicks should work the same on all table sizes.

Disclamer: There are many kicking systems for going across,
up-and-down, and around tables.
Most are based on mathematical relations and use the diamonds
in some way or another. Tho one of the better known seems to be
based on nothing in particular.

An important point is rails, cushions and tables can and do vary
in exactly where the ball goes for any give angle and contact point.
Sometimes, on the same table.

Any system is best viewed as a general guide, that will often
need adjustments.

Dale Pierce
 
Last edited:
I think the concensus is that practicing on the toughest conditions will make you better. People on here like tighter pockets and most players consider bar tables easier. There's some evidence to support that... guys like matlock who you'll never see on espn have run over 20 racks of 9 ball on 7 footers. Bring in the 9 footers and it's nearly impossible for a tv player to run half that.

So if you're looking for what's best to practice on... go with the 9 footer. You'll have to get used to it eventually anyway unless you wanna be a bar box specialist. When you do get to the smaller tables with wastebasket pockets, it'll seem that much easier (including kicking).
 
pdcue said:
They all have the same 2:1 ratio.

Though the 7, 8, and 9 are somewhat nominal - like a 2 x 4 stud,
all sizes have playing areas twice as long as wide

distances are measured from nose-to-nose of opposite cushions

7' = 40 x 80
8' = 44 x 88 <the neferious "home style" 4 x 8>
8' = 46 x 92 <a real 8', AKA Pro or Ovesize>
9' = 50 x 100
10' = 56 x 112

Kicks should work the same on all table sizes.

Disclamer: There are many kicking systems for going across,
up-and-down, and around tables.
Most are based on mathematical relations and use the diamonds
in some way or another. Tho one of the better known seems to be
based on nothing in particular.

An important point is rails, cushions and tables can and do vary
in exactly where the ball goes for any give angle and contact point.
Sometimes, on the same table.

Any system is best viewed as a general guide, that will often
need adjustments.

Dale Pierce
Click to expand...

Thanks Dale. You saved me a lot of typing. :)
You know your stuff.
 
CreeDo said:
I think the concensus is that practicing on the toughest conditions will make you better. People on here like tighter pockets and most players consider bar tables easier. There's some evidence to support that... guys like matlock who you'll never see on espn have run over 20 racks of 9 ball on 7 footers. Bring in the 9 footers and it's nearly impossible for a tv player to run half that.

So if you're looking for what's best to practice on... go with the 9 footer. You'll have to get used to it eventually anyway unless you wanna be a bar box specialist. When you do get to the smaller tables with wastebasket pockets, it'll seem that much easier (including kicking).
Click to expand...

Yeah!! Those guys like Matlock....who...um...you'll never see...eh... in the finals.....uhhh... of a pro event......ummmmmmmmmm..like the DCC..

Never mind... Forget I mentioned it...

:D :D :D :D :D :D

Russ
 
pdcue said:
They all have the same 2:1 ratio.

Though the 7, 8, and 9 are somewhat nominal - like a 2 x 4 stud,
all sizes have playing areas twice as long as wide

distances are measured from nose-to-nose of opposite cushions

7' = 40 x 80
8' = 44 x 88 <the neferious "home style" 4 x 8>
8' = 46 x 92 <a real 8', AKA Pro or Ovesize>
9' = 50 x 100
10' = 56 x 112

Kicks should work the same on all table sizes.

Disclamer: There are many kicking systems for going across,
up-and-down, and around tables.
Most are based on mathematical relations and use the diamonds
in some way or another. Tho one of the better known seems to be
based on nothing in particular.

An important point is rails, cushions and tables can and do vary
in exactly where the ball goes for any give angle and contact point.
Sometimes, on the same table.

Any system is best viewed as a general guide, that will often
need adjustments.

Dale Pierce
Click to expand...
Good info Dale. I will add a little to that.

the 40" x 80" you mentioned is oversized 7' or 7' pro which is the std. bar box. There is a home 7' which is 38" x 76" those player interested in bar box size will almost have to buy an actual bar table to get that same size to practice on. Most, if not all of the non-coin home 3 pc slate table companies do not make that 7' oversize.

Chris
 
same proportions, but

Yes, they are the same 2x1 proportion of length to width.

I suspect folks who say banking a ball is easier on a bar table
are reasoning that the distance is smaller, and the pockets
are larger in almost all cases.

There are some shots that can't be made on some types
of bar tables (like Valley), and that has to do with the shape
(profile) of the rubber in the cushion. Bert Kinister mentions
this on his tape #4, which is 10 hustle shots. I remember
him saying that "this shot won't go on a Valley table".

I believe it was a 3 rail bank, and when made correctly,
the cue ball comes very near the side pocket on the
third rail hit. I'm not an expert, but he mentioned his
table (at the time) was a 7-foot, but he had "full profile"
cushions. I believe he said the Valley tables had rounded
cushions. I think there is a slight difference in the angle
you get off the rail, since there is more or less rubber
to compress.
 
I would correct that to say almost all pool tables are twice as long as they are wide. I've seen round pool tables and tables with a couple of ninety degree bends in the middle. They are definitely not twice as long as wide. I have recently been spending more time playing pool on my 10' snooker table and find that it has made the pool table a lot easier, FWIW.
 
One thing no one has mentioned yet is that the smaller tables result in a lot more congestion...especially in 8 ball..it makes for a completely different game experience.

The play area is smaller, the pockets are usually larger but the balls are the same size and weight!

It is a different game.

IF you're used to the 9 footer the bar tables will seem VERY crowded and if you're used to the bar table the 9 footer will look like the deck of an aircraft carrier.....the big difference will be in your head and that is where the adjustment has to be made.

Going from big to little is usually easier for most people.
 
CreeDo said:
I think the concensus is that practicing on the toughest conditions will make you better. People on here like tighter pockets and most players consider bar tables easier. There's some evidence to support that... guys like matlock who you'll never see on espn have run over 20 racks of 9 ball on 7 footers. Bring in the 9 footers and it's nearly impossible for a tv player to run half that.

So if you're looking for what's best to practice on... go with the 9 footer. You'll have to get used to it eventually anyway unless you wanna be a bar box specialist. When you do get to the smaller tables with wastebasket pockets, it'll seem that much easier (including kicking).
Click to expand...
Actually Dave has been on ESPN before...it was a tournament back in the late 90's...I don't remember which one, but I'm sure I can find out. As I think about it I also seem to recall he's been on there more than once. Trust me, when you play that good on a bar table, you play pretty sporty on any table!

Another example is James Baraks (aka Jamie Wilson)...mostly known as a bar table player, took 2nd to Efren at DCC year before last I believe. And he never really made a mistake he just didn't get to shoot...lost something like 7 to 4.

I could go on and on...but I won't! :-)
 
there are some home tables that have slightly different dimensions, but 99% of what you will come across in pool halls are proportioned 2:1.
 
Diamond systems are the same. Of course practicing on a 9 is a world of difference than a bar box. The difference is all in your head. It's mental adjustments. Just because it's bigger does not mean its harder. It's a mental game and you will play good if you are confident enough. I always practice on a nine footer before playing tournaments on a bar box. Yes the pockets are tighter and the table is bigger but if I'm playing good on the larger table with smaller pockets, it makes it easier to play on the smaller table with larger pockets. All I feel is ineeded is stroke adjutment. Cut my power down by 20-25% and I should play consistent.

Congestion is always a problem with a smaller table also. It makes no sense to me at my local hall they play nine tourneys on the nine footers and eight ball tourneys on the bar boxes. Ass backwards if you ask me. Hope this helps.
 
Well, the original question was are 7 8 and 9 foot table proportionate. The answer I still maintain is accurate that they are twice as long as they are wide. Thats a yes.

Now, of course if you dunk the table in Lake Ontario for a week ya may get some bowing. :)
 
I have met a few bar table players who are able to do wonders in kicking on a 9 foot table. They say that it is natural to them. I think it has something to do with the field of view of the table (what do you guys think of this?)

While I train focus and concentration on potting on tighter pockets.

I am also able to work out the diamond system. But sometimes there are some situation where kicks i cannot identify with the application of the diamond system without having to take a long time. I think i could kick fairly well, but i think it is still quite inconsistent. being familiar with the "route" of the cue ball will enable me to do 2 rails, 3 rails kick which sometimes has better results.
 
Any multi rail bank or kick system is merely a guide. All tables, cloths, and rails play differently.

Although proportions are the same, remember banks on larger tables have more time to open their angles up.

Another thing to consider is that you are not banking of a solid object. Cushions collapse when a ball hits it. If you could look closely at the contact of a ball on a cushion as it rebounds, you can see the actual angle of rebound is coming off of a concave indentation in the rail and that in and of itself shortens angles. The deeper it indents the shorter it comes off. Add english to the shot and the cloth and balls all play into it.

General knowledge of the rebound angles is important but again just a guide.
 
a9ballbr8k said:
Congestion is always a problem with a smaller table also. It makes no sense to me at my local hall they play nine tourneys on the nine footers and eight ball tourneys on the bar boxes. Ass backwards if you ask me. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Why is it ass-backwards? 9 ball is tougher on a 9 footer than on a barbox, and 8 ball is tougher on a barbox than it is on a 9 footer.

Seems to me like your local hall is insuring that the better players win.. Which is as it should be. :D

Russ
 
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