How big are the pockets?

[poolhustler]

Last time I played at Hollywood Billiards, first floor front table, the pockets were 4". This was about 4 months ago.

The tables at Good Times in Van Nuys all have 4" pockets also.

Ernesto will be setting up my table in a couple of weeks and YES, it will have 4" pockets. Just as all my tables have had in the past.

It can be frustrating shooting on a table with tight pockets, but only on bad days!!

Russ.........

 

[unknownpro]

Hollywood is 4", give or take an eighth. I like their tables.

If Ernesto cuts the rails, the balls drop if they hit within the point, so they play easier than a poorly cut pocket. You can fire a ball down the rail and it won't spit out if it's within the point. That's my test for a pocket.

Ernesto did my table at home (4" corners, German rubber) so I am used to it. It took a year of so to completely adjust to a tight table. Buckets make your game sloppy. Many players hit poor shots that still drop on buckets. They don't realize how poor their fine aim is until they get on a tight table.

The trend is to go to tight pockets. I think 4" corners are fine but 4.5" sides are just brutal. His side pockets are the most difficult in pool.

Chris

I doubt they are tougher than my 4 1/8 inch side pockets. It's hard to get straight on a ball in the side on my table, so you wind up playing more shots into the easy 3 7/8 inch corners. It brings a whole new dimension to pool. Going from 4 and 1/2 to 4 and 1/8 cuts a lot of position zones down to 1/3 original size just trying to get straight on a ball out in front of the pocket. A lot of other shots just disapear. Anything from near the spot is tough.

Twelve ball ghost, anyone??? If I was playing the top level I've played on this table right now I'd be calling Shane Van Boening to set up a match. I'm not sure he's the next step after 6-ball ghost though, so I'd better hold off a while yet.

unknownpro