bar table w/ nap cloth - aaaarrgghh!

jalapus logan

jalapus logan

be all. and supports it to
Silver Member
Well, last night I played in the good ol' bar box league. I am primarily a 9' player and usually play 9 ball, 10 ball and 1P and usually play on Simonis 860. Well, last night I played 8 ball and I just could not get control of my rock. It was the heavy cue ball and the nap cloth was really messing with my game. Thank god I still stroked well and shot straight, or it would have been an utter disaster. But my draw shots were going WAY farther than normal and I just could not play my normal finesse game. I think that the heavy cue ball really "grabs" with the increased friction of that heavy nap.

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions on how to adjust to these conditions quicker? Obviously, playing on those tables more would be the ultimate solution, but I've decided that I'm fine with primarily being a 9' table player. I just want to be able to adjust better in the rare occasion that I play the league or a tourney on those bar boxes with those conditions.
 
jalapus logan said:
...
Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions on how to adjust to these conditions quicker?

Obviously, playing on those tables more would be the ultimate solution, ...
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You answered your own question bud.
Getting to league a bit earlier if you can should help acclimate to conditions.
 
I feel you, brother...

The place I played at yesterday had small 8' bar tables with nap cloth, plus they had the doors to the placed wide open (gotta love Florida t-shirt weather in February) and it was as humid as could be in there. The humidity really slowed the table down.

Glad I got there early to practice and get use to the table. League play starts at 7 for me, but I show up by 5:30 because I like to go through a warm-up routine before I start. I'm usually the first person on site (from either team) so I can get some licks in before everyone else :)
 
Don't try to play a finesse game on that type of table. It's more of a power game with a bigger, confident stroke. The touch will come once you get comfortable with the stroke.

I hate crap tables with crap balls. These bars and vending companies seldom give a crap about the equipment.
 
BTW, Logan, I just saw you are from KY. Ever make it down to Richmond and play at BJ's? I use to go to Stepleton's a bit back in the day. I hear they are closed now, though...
 
jason said:
Don't try to play a finesse game on that type of table. It's more of a power game with a bigger, confident stroke. The touch will come once you get comfortable with the stroke.

I hate crap tables with crap balls. These bars and vending companies seldom give a crap about the equipment.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I ended up doing. I over ran shape with a table length draw shot and left a bank for my last ball before the 8. I just said to hell with it and just let my stroke out. I split the wicket and got out and just accepted whatever rolls came my way the rest of the night. It was funny, because my team captain said he saw the look of disgust when I over ran shape. He said that he thought that I broke the side pocket because I banked it at warp speed - ha ha!
 
I like to control the amount of draw on nappy cloth by hitting a bit higher on the cueball. It's a lot easier to control than hitting low with a softer stroke. I also prefer to "walk" the cueball instead of soft rolling on crappy tables.

As for learning a table fast. I'll try to get a shot that allows me some margin, say, a shot where I can draw in a straight line, where anywhere along that line will be okay. Then, hopefully, I can gauge the table from the response of the cueball on that shot. Obviously, it does require quick study.

Speaking of line. Whenever possible I play "line position" on unfamiliar tables and avoid crossing position. It increases your margin for error and there really are no long shots on a barbox.
 
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