Coin operated leagues?

[jaime_lion]

Hi so I am beginner pool player. And the only 8 ball leagues where I live are all done on coin operated pool tables. I am wondering how common is this? I am also wondering does learning pool on coin operated tables translate well to bigger tables?

Thanks for the input. I am sure I will have loads more questions.

Jaime

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Think that is the standard rather then exception, it how the Bar or Venue makes money off league.

 

[jaime_lion]

Think that is the standard rather then exception, it how the Bar or Venue makes money off league.

Really well thanks for the info.

 

[garczar]

Hi so I am beginner pool player. And the only 8 ball leagues where I live are all done on coin operated pool tables. I am wondering how common is this? I am also wondering does learning pool on coin operated tables translate well to bigger tables?

Thanks for the input. I am sure I will have loads more questions.

Jaime

Virtually all league pool is on the bar-box. Some coin-op some where there is a green fee of some sort. You can learn basics on the small table but playing on a 9ft is a whole different deal. Getting a good solid game on the small table will definitely ease the transition to the big box.

 

[HNTFSH]

Virtually all league pool is on the bar-box. Some coin-op some where there is a green fee of some sort. You can learn basics on the small table but playing on a 9ft is a whole different deal. Getting a good solid game on the small table will definitely ease the transition to the big box.

The transition from bar box to 9 feet can seem overwhelming until you realize how much more you can do on the big table. It's a new world. :yeah:

 

[buckshotshoey]

The transition from bar box to 9 feet can seem overwhelming until you realize how much more you can do on the big table. It's a new world. :yeah:

If you get proficient at controlling the cue ball, then, IMO, the game of 8 ball is actually easier on a 9 foot table. The balls tend to be a little more spread out. Sure, you still get clusters. But I think the game is more manageable on a 9 foot. Again, you have to be good with the cue ball so you dont get those shots where there is an acre of green between the cue ball and object ball.

And it also depends on how tight the pockets are and how deep the shelf is. Playing on a 9 foot with pro cut pockets will be very challenging.

 

[SeaBrisket]

League locations by me are either all 8' Valley or 7' Diamond tables, with occasional exceptions. For league purposes this is fine since all the bigger league tournaments are played on 7' Diamonds along with most of the bigger open tournaments. 9' tables aren't very common near me but they attract the action players almost exclusively, usually for 1 pocket or 10 ball.

I'm going to be playing a higher stakes 9 ball tourney on 9' Diamonds in August, conditions allowing, and I don't remember doing that on 9' since maybe as much as 7-8 years ago at a hall that since closed.

 

[Geosnooker]

League play is a different animal in my Canadian city. I play in three leagues and none of them are on bar tables. All three venues are on 9 foot tables.

I also play Snooker on a 12 foot table. The technical skill set, geometry isn’t any different from a coin operated bar table.

When it comes to pool, I find play easiest on an 9 foot table. Much easier, for me, than a smaller bar table. On the larger table I am more master of my own fate and less subject to the clutter of how the balls may break.

An aside, you have to play to get good. You won’t be hitting enough balls in league to develop your skills. Visit a pool hall, Legion, or whatever you have in the US and just have fun banging balls around for an hour on a larger table. Forget about practice or rules....just shoot balls. Get a feel for things. Then, if you enjoy it, try a bit more structured learning in your own. The better you get, the more you want to practice and it becomes a self-fulfilling cycle.

 

[jimmyco]

Welcome Jaime.

It is quite common. So much that online pool vendors sell pool themed coin holders (or you can find generic coin tubes at hobby and craft stores for a fraction of the cost).

One league, VNEA, plays exclusively on Valley Cougar or Valley Dynamo tables.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[Dan_B]

...great title :thumbup:

 

[Rickhem]

The transition from bar box to 9 feet can seem overwhelming until you realize how much more you can do on the big table. It's a new world. :yeah:

this is definitely the mindset to take. You'll hear all too many people piss and moan about the big table, but try to stay away from that. Embrace the positives and view it as an opportunity to do more things.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

My personal preference is Green Fees, verses, pumping Coins in a Bar Box. One of the reasons I gave up on Bar Tournments. If you you won, most of the time it was peanut after you do the math.

 

[jaime_lion]

Welcome Jaime.

It is quite common. So much that online pool vendors sell pool themed coin holders (or you can find generic coin tubes at hobby and craft stores for a fraction of the cost).

One league, VNEA, plays exclusively on Valley Cougar or Valley Dynamo tables.

Good luck and have fun.

I think I will stick with a medicine bottle for free. Might not be as easy to use or as stylish but it gets the job done.

 

[jimmyco]

Free beats 35 cents all day long. Good tip. :thumbup2:

I think you will really enjoy league.

 

[jaime_lion]

Here is an example of the medicine bottle. I can hold 10 dollars in quarters.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VFu5VTy5MMpQ_Sb32A_I7HRhhqfOGvTY/view?usp=sharing

 

[justadub]

APA in most of the places I'm aware of in Maine is played on 9-footers, no coin drop or greens fees.

We do, however, drink and eat a lot at these locations...

 

[Bob Jewett]

... I am also wondering does learning pool on coin operated tables translate well to bigger tables? ...

I think that actually learning how to play on coin-op tables is very expensive compared to other possibilities. Many pool halls offer some kind of special membership, such as all you can play until 7PM for $100/month. That's a real bargain if you get serious. I have a membership at a nice room that offers 3-7PM every weekday for $25/month.

Another possibility is to join a lodge or similar that has a game room.

My method when I was first learning was to work in a pool hall that gave free time to employees if the tables weren't busy.

 

[brigeton]

Around here in rural Michigan all the bar tournaments and leagues are on bar boxs but they open the tables for the leagues and tournaments with no green fees. Some even add money to the tournaments. They just do it for extra business knowing they will sell a lot more booze and food. There is a VFW near me open to the public that has free pool all the time.