Big tables or bar box
- Thread starter Mowem down
- Start date
These days I still prefer to play and practice on the big table even though I can't do the things like I used to. I was fairly consistent in putting together 3, 4, and 5 packs of nine ball. I can still do that on the small table but I do not think that is much of a challenge playing nine ball. Ten ball is a bit more difficult on the bar box.
However when we talk about eight ball that is a different story. I believe it is easier on the big table. It is much more of a challenge on the small table for numerous reasons. One needs to develop the instinct to maneuver around on the small table playing eight ball.
Even with my fading skills I still have confidence against most with eight ball on the small track. In nine ball it pretty much depends on how I'm breaking.
When I'm getting ready for a match of eight ball on the bar table I still practice on the big table. I spread all the balls on one half of the table to simulate a small table and try get out from there. It's much easier to move from the big table to the little table but very difficult to go from the small table to the big table.
However when we talk about eight ball that is a different story. I believe it is easier on the big table. It is much more of a challenge on the small table for numerous reasons. One needs to develop the instinct to maneuver around on the small table playing eight ball.
Even with my fading skills I still have confidence against most with eight ball on the small track. In nine ball it pretty much depends on how I'm breaking.
When I'm getting ready for a match of eight ball on the bar table I still practice on the big table. I spread all the balls on one half of the table to simulate a small table and try get out from there. It's much easier to move from the big table to the little table but very difficult to go from the small table to the big table.
instroke75 said:
We always called the bar boxes Fisher Price Tables. I don't like them.
If you want to be the most accurate shooter, 9 footer. If you want to focus on 8 ball strategy, bar box.
that's not really true. 8 ball strategy comes in to play playing on 9 foot tables more than barboxes.CharlieHustle said:
on the barbox you don't have to focus on position play as much meaning it's pretty much a run out game. the big pockets exaggerate fire power so much safety play, a big part of strategy imo, doesn't play as big a role in the game.
Was'nt looking to do good or bad, I was just wondering who liked playing on what...I did'nt even know there was a group on here, that trashed bar boxes. I dont really care for them, but if others like to play on them for their own reasons, good for them...Cornerman said:
I have actually strung more racks together (8 and 9 ball) on a bar box than a 9fter, but I would much rather play on a G.C. 4 with 4 1/2 inch pockets, even though I dont get out often...When I do I get all warm n fuzzy...
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I dont play basketball on 9ft hoops just so I can dunk, I dont play slow pitch softball, I hit over 600 against kids my own age when I was 17 playing hardball and dont care for softball, when I played racquetball, as soon as they made the rule, the pros only get one serve, I played one serve, even though I was only an A player. (It goes A, Open, Pro). I dont think 7fters are real tables I think there a toy, made so bars with limited space can have a table. But that is just how I feel, it is ok that I have my own thoughts isnt it ?, or should I check with you firstNeil said:
If you like 7ftrs good for you!!! I played this cat down in vegas last year on 7fters. He ws from back East, this guy was great, he ran out from every where it was cool to watch. I didnt even really want to play after the first couple games it was to much fun watching him..I shook his hand walked away with a smile, 5-2 loser...
From what Ive been told the big reason they stopped playin on 10fters was when they started showing pool on tv they wanted high runs so they went to 9fters with big pockets...true or not I dont know...
I do know that each table has its own +'s and -'s... For all the small table haters, one thing to keep in mind, An old school great once said ( Im not sure if it was Lasiter, Hoppe, Crane.) " When I want to get ready for a 9 ball tourny. I go play 8 ball on a 8fter so I can get my cue ball"
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"From what Ive been told the big reason they stopped playin on 10fters was when they started showing pool on tv they wanted high runs so they went to 9fters with big pockets...true or not I dont know..."
I don't think so. I've been playing pool, off and on, since 1940. I don't have the widest experience but all the rooms I played in had 9 fters. I never saw a 10 until recently and I can't remember where or when I saw the first 7 fter. There wasn't much t.v. in 1940 or until several years after WW2.
Dave Nelson
I don't think so. I've been playing pool, off and on, since 1940. I don't have the widest experience but all the rooms I played in had 9 fters. I never saw a 10 until recently and I can't remember where or when I saw the first 7 fter. There wasn't much t.v. in 1940 or until several years after WW2.
Dave Nelson
poolnut said:
This is a damn good point....a lightning quick 7 footer with buckets, crappy rails, a mudball, and a lean provides it's own challenges....cue ball control is essential when you could scratch on any shot :grin-square:
A sweet 9 foot Diamond or GC with tiny pockets is a great test and a thing of beauty.....
I think Easy-E told me he used to have a 7 footer with TINY pockets that he practiced on because that was all that fit at his place at the time.....and he still carried a strong game on a 9 footer.....IMHO, the best player adapts and performs on whatever is available....wheter 7 or 10 feet, he is up to the challenge and will find a way to win....
I see similarities in golf.....you have links courses, and you have traditional tree-lined courses, and so on.....some are as short as 5000 yards (take the kids out), some are almost 8000.....some with fast greens, others with slow....some with nice fairways, others are goat tracks....the best players can perform and find a way to manage the course....
Someone mentioned 9 foot goals in basketball.....in normal high school games, our forwards where 6'5" or plus.....as a shorty, I could barely dunk in perfect conditions, so it was never gonna happen in a serious game.....but every rare now and then, we'd end up at an outdoor court with 9 foot goals....it was different, but I enjoyed feeling like air jordan :grin-square: And although the goal was shorter, the same guys who were a power on the block were still a power, and the shooters were still shooters....
My two cents
Gurnee_Steve
New member
Compromise
I've got a regulation 8' at home as my practice table. I play in 2 leagues on 7' and I really like playing on the 9' and I think my home table allows me to do both. There's a little adjustment when I go up or down in size that takes me a few practice shots. I've seen a lot of guys that play well on 7' but can't make a ball on a 9'.
I've got a regulation 8' at home as my practice table. I play in 2 leagues on 7' and I really like playing on the 9' and I think my home table allows me to do both. There's a little adjustment when I go up or down in size that takes me a few practice shots. I've seen a lot of guys that play well on 7' but can't make a ball on a 9'.
I agree, I grew up playing on 8' tables, and have no problem going up or down! It is a very easy adjustment from 8fters to 9fters, and the barbox is still like a tonka toy!Gurnee_Steve said:
Jeremy
poolnut said:
I would disagree. A barbox doesn't require as much travel around the table and definitely more stop shots come into play. Whether the table is fast or not, you shouldn't have to travel very far to get on your next shot.
While a big table has more space to travel the cue ball around, the room for error is less on position because of the intimidation of a shot on a 9 footer if you don't get a good leave. My experience is an average player can still make a difficult shot on a barbox from bad position versus a 9 footer.
Derek said:
assuming same layout....wouldn't the use of stop shots be the same on both tables??? sometimes more travel is tougher, and sometimes more congestion is tougher.
A couple years ago I was having a not so "chipper" attitude and I presented the following challenge to a local bigmouth....
"Pick a game...pick a table...and bet what you want! You can't win!"
He still hasn't taken me up on the offer, but I'm waiting. Needless to say, I just love playin' pool and the table isn't going to stop me from doin' just that no matter what.
I did vote for the ol' 9' due to the fact that I'm a One-pocket lover!
Now play nice folks and no fighting!
"Pick a game...pick a table...and bet what you want! You can't win!"
He still hasn't taken me up on the offer, but I'm waiting. Needless to say, I just love playin' pool and the table isn't going to stop me from doin' just that no matter what.
I did vote for the ol' 9' due to the fact that I'm a One-pocket lover!
Now play nice folks and no fighting!
