Bar Tables Vs 9 Ft Tables

Njhustler1 said:
...Often times I find there's no real solution for a table layout when playing on a bar table. No matter what you do, you're screwed.
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I used to think this too until I watched a very good local player run out every rack of 8 ball on a bar box for almost two hours. I'm not exaggerating, if he made a ball on the break or the other guy missed, he ran out.

Since then I've seen several great players do this. Jason Kirkwood was the last one.
 
9 on the snap said:
I like a table that's 9 foot and green. I think everything else is sub-optimal.
I will play/gamble on anything though because of my addiction.
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I see something green in your avatar that I'd like to play on, or in, or, oh, you get it....
 
JoeyInCali said:
Barbox pool is not pool. :)
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See I don't agree here. I agree it is a different kind of pool. If the equipement is good then 8 ball on a barbox is a great game and challenges you in ways you probably won't see in 9 ball. A straight pool player that typically plays on a 9 foot would probably do incredible on a barbox but you can't go from a dead straight perfect Diamond or GC with 860 Simonis to a Valley table with a roll, three dead rails, and cheap cloth with a big cue ball and expect the game to play as you are used to and probably prefer.

In Vegas I watched some unreal pool on the little tables and those players were top notch. I think their level was respected by the quality of the tables and really allowed the better players the chance to prove it. When the table doesn't play true it surprises the skiller player more as that they know what SHOULD happen where the lower end players just try to make balls and really can't be surprised because they really didn't know what to expect.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Okay, I'm going to try and phrase this well. I'd like to say over 95% of my pool time is spent on a 9-foot table so obviously, it's my preference. Games like 9-ball and 14.1 are meant for a 9-foot table. The rules simply cannot stay within the confines of a coin-op. Also, my personal strengths are pocketing and long position routes (typical 9-ball player) so I'm naturally going to gravitate to the larger equipment.

With that said, I think a lot of the responses here show a genuine lack of appreciation for bar-table 8-ball (the intended game on a 7-foot table). Anyone who has been to the BCA Championships in Las Vegas will tell you all the desciplines are tapped. Cue control is priority. Pocketing is a given. Levels of genius can be seen in strategy and pattern play.

In many ways, it can be a rather intriguing playing field. The importance of rhythm or being "in stroke" is minimized so the cream really does rise to the top. I mean, you will find the occasional hiccups. I know I've had my share against players I should have beaten but on the whole, I think the better player will have an even greater edge in bar-table 8-ball than playing 9-ball on a 9-foot table.
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This basically sums up how I feel about the 9' vs. 7' table question.

I play more on bar boxes mainly because most of my pool time (1-2 days a week) is league or local weekly tournament play. If I could play more, I would play mostly on 9' tables because I would pretty much only play one pocket and I can't see playing that game on anything but a 9 footer. On those rare occasions where I get to play an extra day, I go hunting for a one pocket game.
 
I practice and usually play on the 9fters. To me there is no point to practicing on a bar table although that is what a lot of the local weekly tournaments/apa are played on. The bar table also acts as an equalizer. The best player doesn't always win.
 
Alex Kanapilly said:
I used to think this too until I watched a very good local player run out every rack of 8 ball on a bar box for almost two hours. I'm not exaggerating, if he made a ball on the break or the other guy missed, he ran out.
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Makes you want to get back in and practice harder, doesn't it? Lot of good players out there on bar boxes. Just another challenge for the individual to master.

We are lucky in our area. Our local tavern had Valleys set up with Simonis cloth. We used the Aramith cue ball, unless he opened the tables, then we used the red circle.

He recently sold those and brought in 14 tables - Pro Cut Diamond 7 footers with Simonis cloth. Pockets are 4 1/4 inch. Like playing in heaven.

They have the lighter blue cloth that is similar to the cloth on the tables in Vegas, BCA. Makes it real easy to play on.

The other pool rooms around have Valleys, but, they are kept in fair condition. The only time we run into bad tables is in other bars in league play.

I prefer to play on bar tables. I will practice on big tables about once every two weeks to keep in stroke, but, prefer the boxes.
 
Snorks said:
I like both.

7ft tables teach you incredible cue ball control. You must break up clusters, play exact pinpoint shape on certain balls, learn to avoid the opponents balls, etc. Eight Ball on a 7' table is truely an art.

9' tables of course are great for improving your stroke. You can let it out far more frequently, go multiple rails for position, improve your safety play (especially in 9 ball), improve your potting ability (much tighter pockets), and make you a much better long shooter.

I don't see them both as necessary skills to develop in order to be a better player.
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TAP-TAP-TAP.

You my friend I would like to meet.....SPF=randyg
 
klockdoc said:
Makes you want to get back in and practice harder, doesn't it? Lot of good players out there on bar boxes. Just another challenge for the individual to master.

We are lucky in our area. Our local tavern had Valleys set up with Simonis cloth. We used the Aramith cue ball, unless he opened the tables, then we used the red circle.

He recently sold those and brought in 14 tables - Pro Cut Diamond 7 footers with Simonis cloth. Pockets are 4 1/4 inch. Like playing in heaven.

They have the lighter blue cloth that is similar to the cloth on the tables in Vegas, BCA. Makes it real easy to play on.

The other pool rooms around have Valleys, but, they are kept in fair condition. The only time we run into bad tables is in other bars in league play.

I prefer to play on bar tables. I will practice on big tables about once every two weeks to keep in stroke, but, prefer the boxes.
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Sure, but those days are behind me. Don't get me wrong I still love the game but for the first 4 years I played pool, I played every single day. And for the next 10 years I played almost every day. I can't do that anymore becuase I have a real career and a family but I'm not sure I'd want to play that much anyway. 3 or maybe 4 days a week once in a while would be plenty for me nowdays. So, I guess I'm still not getting enough but for different reasons.

You're lucky to have the Diamonds, there aren't that many 7' Diamonds yet here in Denver. Plenty of 9' Diamonds though, at least where I usually play.
 
9ft, 8ft & 7ft.....in that order. I would love to take our league to 9 footers and show them what it really takes to play on a big table.
 
Snorks is the best guy I know. A party ain't a party till Snorks is on the scene.

I like....Snorks, finish that off for me ok! ;)


RECON!!!!
 
I have an oversize 8 ft Olhausen, my friend has a 9 ft brunswick. We play thursdays at my house, saturdays at his house and tuesday nights on the local barbox. The only day I can't win is tuesdays. My friend always has a slight edge but on the bar box its all him.
His strategy and position play on the barbox are really good. 8 ball on the barbox presents quite a different set of challanges than I am used to on my own table and I am having quite a bit of fun learning how to tackle them. So I guess I have no favorite table but I definitely think the barbox is the hardest for me.
 
bar tables

Southpaw said:
I prefer 9 footers. To me, bar tables are like those little bikes with training wheels. Eventually, you have to grow up and go to the Big boy bikes. :D

Southpaw
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I resimble that remark!!!!! i have grown up 70yr and i cant see 9ft!!! so my choice is the 7ft.but i will still play some 9-4 one hole!!! what say ea!!!! :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
 
stick8 said:
I resimble that remark!!!!! i have grown up 70yr and i cant see 9ft!!! so my choice is the 7ft.but i will still play some 9-4 one hole!!! what say ea!!!! :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
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No grown up should ask for 9-4.....how bout 9-6?

Southpaw
 
game

Southpaw said:
No grown up should ask for 9-4.....how bout 9-6?

Southpaw
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I like to through out a idiot test now and then, cant never tell!!! :D :D that sucker is born ever day :p :p let me know of any action and i will come down and let you take me out to dinner then watch the game!! :confused: :confused: :confused:
 
stick8 said:
I like to through out a idiot test now and then, cant never tell!!! :D :D that sucker is born ever day :p :p let me know of any action and i will come down and let you take me out to dinner then watch the game!! :confused: :confused: :confused:
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Yeah me too.... so how bout 9-6?

Southpaw
 
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