IMO Verhoeven is slightly better table than Gabriel. Its my personal attachment to a T-Rail, believing its a sturdier design. Gabriel although makes a great table. Paul Frankel will have 2 or 3 @ the SBE for sale. I'd contact him NOW. They will probably sell before the tournament starts.
What I don't like about Verhoeven, Sogard, Chevillotte is the rail top is higher than the cushion/liner. Unless you're used to playing on these the condition will promote dings in your customers cues. The most common Chevillotte's have a sharp laminate edge. They do make wooden tables but much more expensive. Verhoeven and Sogard rails are wood which helps. Gabriel does it right IMO, with the transition on the same plane.
Sogard seems to be a table that wants to play sharp and short. Backups can be awfully wrong. They may have fixed that over the several years. I know they've gotten a lot of grief on this. If you're meticulous about keeping the table and balls clean and the table is set up correctly they play fine. If it's not kept up it will shorten quickly and no fun to play on. At least for me. Rather play on my old T-Rail Brunswick.
I've only played on one Chevillote which is never cleaned so don't know how they play. Some think this is the best table made. Could be, but that's an opinion just like what I've written.
These days Gabriels seem to be used at many if not most of the big tournaments. Don't know if that's because of preference or a promotional thing.
