As far as the Mezz tournament goes, the stream table that everyone watched is not representative of all the tables used in the tournament. Until the field was reduced and the event moved into the tournament room exclusively half the tables used in the event were the more normal 4.75" GC's. 6 of the 10 tables in the tournament room are probably closer to 4.25" than 4". The stream table everyone watched is the tightest table in the house. It is one of 4 tables of about 4" that are really set up for one pocket play, of which there is a lot of at HT. Justin can correct me if this is wrong but the reason this table was used for the stream probably has more to do with that being the best place to set up all the stream equipment rather than purposely wanting the stream matches to be on the toughest table.
As to the general discussion, I enjoy pro pool, period. Unlike many here, I'm not really that concerned with what will appeal to the masses. Tight-ass GC's of 3 7/8" as this past weekend, or 4.5" deep shelf Diamonds doesn't really matter, I enjoy it. If I had to choose between watching pros play into huge 5" buckets versus the tight table I would prefer tight but I like it all.
I'm also not hung up on standardizing the pockets. MLB ballparks are all different, golf courses are all different. I enjoy watching an event like the Mezz where the top players have to fade very difficult equipment and I will enjoy watching them in Vegas play the same game of 10 Ball in two weeks to bigger holes. Sort of like how the U.S Open in golf is known for brutal rough and the Masters is known for very little rough but really tough greens. I dig the variety of watching the pros play under various conditions.
For my own personal play, though I like the tight tables at HT and HB I prefer a little bigger, like 4.25". You can still play to parts of the hole yet precision is required, especially down the rail. At some point the hole can be too small even for one pocket. Yes, tight is good in that game but too tight and you take away the "dig" shot since, with such a tight pocket, there is no way you can dig a ball out of your opponent's hole. But for the pros, it's fun to watch them sweat it on occasion and see how their character responds to the tough rolls. Put it this way, while many here think the conditions were not enjoyable, most of them seemed to have been glued to their computer screens all weekend. :grin-square:
Since almost everyone universally love Diamond Pro-cut tables (4.5" pockets), then I would think no one would have a problem with a GC cut to 4.25". I think these two are pretty comparable.
