Bar Table vs Big Table

[Echelon]

I made the switch to big tables almost exclusively about a year and a half ago. Its upped my game tremendously. I had some overlap with small table play. I was already one of the stronger players in a bar table league, both my teammates and my competition were shocked at the improvement in my play. There are a lot of factors, but would say in general small table play is easier hence the name "the equalizer". The first thing many of us learn when playing safeties in 9 ball on the big table is distance, then rails and blockers. Distance is the key and you have more of it on the big table. I wish there was more big table play in the US and I wish I had made the switch sooner.

 

[Dan Harriman]

very well stated

Your question needs clarification. Are you asking on which table you might be most likely to establish a personal best high run or something? Or are you asking on which table are you more likely to win? My point is what is your definition of "harder"? For example, I'm a decent amateur player. Against the typical armature player, I'm likely to win more on a big table. However, if I'm playing pros, I have a better shot on a bar table, particularly playing 8 ball.

I don't believe one is harder. They are different games with different demands. The differences are there for both you and your opponent. Bar table pool I believe places a greater emphasis on knowledge focus and determination. When everyone can play near perfect, that's where the differences show up. Big table shifts that emphasis towards pure execution. So what makes a table "harder" depends on where an individuals best strengths lie, and also where the strengths of their competition lie.

KMRUNOUT

This is well stated, I would say learn how to handle cue ball on big table. Bar box players often apply much spin while trying to weave through cramped quarters, I think part of what pure execution might mean here is learning how to pot or pocket balls while staying in the center of the cue ball. The most common error i see in a tavern player is handling the white ball. Once you move to the 5x10 the players who spin balls in most of the time will end up a little 'off center'. Most of USA is learning on bar box (not a good thing in my view).

 

[SamShaddey]

Is it really about bed size of table or the over all table? I got a bar box with pro cut rails on it! It plays tuff have not seen anyone come over and run over 3 racks. Granted no pros has ever come over but I have had two national masters over. I would be more concerned about pocket size and angle then the size of the bed.

 

[Black-Balled]

Is it really about bed size of table or the over all table? I got a bar box with pro cut rails on it! It plays tuff have not seen anyone come over and run over 3 racks. Granted no pros has ever come over but I have had two national masters over. I would be more concerned about pocket size and angle then the size of the bed.

Sure...at some point pocket size will be the defining characteristic. And I dont believe we are talking gaffe tables up in hrrre.

 

[KenRobbins]

Up until this year I've been primarily a bar box 9-ball player. I owned a bar box, played in bar box tournaments, and rarely played on big tables (9' footers). I always considered big table pool to be a million times more challenging than bar table pool and I know most others do too.

Well, I bought a big table a few months back and have been playing on it so much that big tables are no longer a problem for me. I can play my best game on a big table just like I used to on a bar table.

Now that I have become a big table player, I expected bar tables to be super easy. That was hardly the case. Sure, the shots were shorter and more automatic, but I was really struggling with position and often found myself against the rail or on the wrong side of the ball. Also, I rarely got a make-able shot after the break and always had a few clusters to deal with.

With that being said, which table is actually harder? I see pro's put together big packages on the big tables with ease. I guess there aren't too many winner break tournaments on bar boxes so it's hard to compare.

If you bet on a pro to run a 5 pack in 9-ball, which table would you put him/her on??

To clarify, I'm talking about Diamond bar boxes. Valleys are a different story...

Practicing straight pool, half table drills, like the L drill will get you in stroke for a barbox. For me it usually takes a couple dents in the scoreboard before getting in stroke on the barbox. Who likes to lose. lol

 

[Dan Harriman]

hmm

Sure...at some point pocket size will be the defining characteristic. And I dont believe we are talking gaffe tables up in hrrre.

actually table size is important as well, let our nations best bar box player shoot a ten' + shot against a top 6x12 snooker player - the bar box player will eventually spin into a walk lighter mode and need a beer to deal with leaky holes that got shot through him. Those who defend the dreaded bar table plague that has taken over the usa probly have some stock in vegas casino bar lag stuff. I once asked one of the best bar table players in the world the difference between 9' and bar tables, his answer was bar table pool is not real pool and big table was. I have played on tight bar table and loose, either way a player is going to learn how to pocket balls with spin or lose - either way its a loss. Answer: play more 14.1 on 5x10 and - you will then be above the bar on how to make the long ball hits under pressure.

 

[Black-Balled]

I hear ya...but if 14.1 on a 10'er is your game...

You better like playing at home and alone.

actually table size is important as well, let our nations best bar box player shoot a ten' + shot against a top 6x12 snooker player - the bar box player will eventually spin into a walk lighter mode and need a beer to deal with leaky holes that got shot through him. Those who defend the dreaded bar table plague that has taken over the usa probly have some stock in vegas casino bar lag stuff. I once asked one of the best bar table players in the world the difference between 9' and bar tables, his answer was bar table pool is not real pool and big table was. I have played on tight bar table and loose, either way a player is going to learn how to pocket balls with spin or lose - either way its a loss. Answer: play more 14.1 on 5x10 and - you will then be above the bar on how to make the long ball hits under pressure.

 

[realkingcobra]

without a single doubt or any hesitation, If were to bet on a pro running a 5 pack of 9 ball for the $$$? It would have to be the bar box.

I can't see a pro that isn't breaking well to not run out on a barbox: especially in 9 ball where the soft break can be so-so strong. For example: take a look at SVB at the USBTC 9 Ball Championships or any 9 ball bar box tournament … they're all SOFT breaking and running out 98% of the time.

At large will have something to say, but 98% of the time run out, not even close, more like about 52%. And that would be SVB with a working break.

 

[mvp]

Just over a year ago, Jesse bowman bar table player bested the top pros in a bar box tourney ( including svb) there has to be an adjustment there other wise Shane would of rolled right through it!

 

[AtLarge]

At large will have something to say, but 98% of the time run out, not even close, more like about 52%. And that would be SVB with a working break.

Almost all of the stats I have posted for 9-Ball have been on 9-foot tables.

But I did post some stats for the Big Tyme Classic 9-Ball event (on 7-footers) in 2015, which was won by Pagulayan. For the 15 streamed matches (155 games) I watched:

• • Break and runs on all breaks -- 36%
  • B&Rs on successful breaks -- 44%
  • Runouts by the player at the table after the break -- 47%

 

[Black-Balled]

And I think it is important to acknowledge that atLARGE's stats are (nearly?) 100% tournament play.

There would be significant differences in the shot choices players make when they cant play safe...