You need to change gears mentally and physically
i play on 9 foot diamond tables almost exclusively and when i go to the little 7 foot tables, you would think that it would be an easy transition, but for me, it's not.
I was wondering if some of you good bar table players who play on both would mind offering some good advice for quickly adjusting to the bar tables.
Please refrain from the traditional poke in the ribs, "don't miss" and such. I'm hoping that maybe myself and others in the future might profit from this thread.
I would like to know what you have to do to make your game more consistent on the bar table, especially if you are used to playing on the larger tables.
I'll start it off by mentioning a couple of things that others have shared with me and you probably already know but look forward to hearing a couple of your best adjustments that you make.
1. Most shots are easy on bar tables because the distance to the object ball is never that far away, so take a slightly off angle shot instead of trying to make perfect shape. (don't know about this one).
2. The corner pockets are your friend as they are normally large in size and forgiving. Try to avoid the side pockets.
All right, now you bar table champs, post your ♫golden sècrets ♫
best regards,
joeya
it's a whole new ball game.
First thing you need to do is leave the big long stroke at home. You still might need it but only on very few shots.
Don't be afraid to jack up a little. Alot of times you have to jack up anyway because the rails are so much closer. This will enable you to get some short little acurate shape on many shots.
If you know your going to play on this bar table you better play some on it for a day or 2 ahead of time to not only get used to the ball but also the patterns. At least play with that ball on the 9 footer. This will actually help alot.
Your patterns will be totally different. Instead of going way down here or way over there to get a perfect shot just play to get a shot. Don't get in trouble trying to get perfect shape when you don't gain that much as far as a better shot.
Be more aware of your speed. Gauge the speed and keep it in your head continually. Your speed is more important now because the table is smaller. Imagine a 2 foot table. Much worse.
Always force the ball and force the shape with the rails understanding each and every shot before you even hit a ball.
It's easy to thinking it is too easy because the shots are all short. Think,think,think.
Aim even harder than you would on the 9 footer. You have to hit these balls perfect or the cue ball won't go exactly where you want it and you have less room for error with the smaller table.
Learn how the rails bank. If they bank long or short. You need to know. Chances are if you get a hit you might hook your opponent back because of less room and more clutter.
Make sure to really focus on the break to hit the balls really square. The rail to pocket ratio is alot higher on a bar table.
There is about 15% more area to scratch on with a bar table.
Less rail area but the pockets are the same size. Hit em square and keep that cue ball from flying around.
A person that never hardly ever plays on a bar table is in big trouble. The game is so much different. The patterns are so much different. The cue ball is different. You need to break different. You need to stroke different.
Best advice i have if you don't play bar table hardly at all you better spend about a week on it and you want to play with someone that can play good on the bar table.
Monkey see monkey do this is how most of us learn the best.
See if you can keep up with this guy also.
There's lots more but this is a start.