My experience has been that playing 14.1 on Diamond tables is a much tougher proposition than on a GC. I run 50+ on a Diamond and want to pop a bottle of champagne.
And, as the cloth ages, the pockets become even tougher, to the point that you described. I believe that as time passes there are also likely to be issues with the one-piece slate sagging and creating problems keeping the table level.
In general, I would also have to say that the Diamonds do bank shorter and as another poster mentioned, there are banks available on a Diamond that don’t exist on a GC.
My general feeling is that tougher tables are good for competitive pool but seriously bad news for those folks that just want to go out, socialize, maybe have a few drinks and enjoy a few yuks. The average guy who thought he was Minnesota Fats on his parent’s 8 footer in the basement is not going to have much success showing off for his girl friend on tough equipment and is likely to get discouraged and not return.
Having said all that, I do like Diamond tables but they are not without their issues.
Lou Figueroa