How hard is it to adjust to a different sized table?
- Thread starter PKM
- Start date
I don't have much of a problem going back and forth from 9 footers and 8 footers. But it seems to make a big difference to drop down to barboxes. But its mostly the different cueball that gives me the problem. If the cueball and the cloth were the same, it wouldn't be very hard to adjust.PKM said:
I practice on a 9 ft and I LOVE going to a 7 ft! Have to get used to shooting easier but that doesn't take long and I get all pumped up by the increase in accuracy. Shooting on my 9 ft Diamond Pro w/4 3/8" pockets I have to be very concentrated when aiming so this high degree of concentration carries over to the 7 ft with somewhat larger pockets and I'm deadly... well... almost 
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Although I grew up in the states, and when I was still what I'd consider a banger, I played probably on nothing but smaller tables. Can't be sure however, because I never knew the difference. I didn't really become what I'd consider a "player" until I moved to Japan, where I've seen nothing but 9 footers.
Two years ago, I was back in the states, and I remember that the small bar boxes looked like toys. I actually had a pretty awkward time most generally with speed. For the first couple of hours, I was overshooting everything. Also felt cramped and clustered. I realize that guys like Keith and Cory take the ability to play on the smaller tables to an art form, but for me, the smaller tables just felt "rinky dinky" and as if we were playing on cheap "recreational products" rather than 'real' pool tables.
dave
Two years ago, I was back in the states, and I remember that the small bar boxes looked like toys. I actually had a pretty awkward time most generally with speed. For the first couple of hours, I was overshooting everything. Also felt cramped and clustered. I realize that guys like Keith and Cory take the ability to play on the smaller tables to an art form, but for me, the smaller tables just felt "rinky dinky" and as if we were playing on cheap "recreational products" rather than 'real' pool tables.
dave
I don't mind the longer shots and my stroke is usually pretty reliable, my mindset changes on a 9' to try to avoid using the bridge. If I had to take a guess at my success rate between an 8' and a 9' it would within 5% points, the higher percentage of wins coming on the 8'. I just approach the two sized tables a little differently.
It's easy going from the nine footer to the eight or seven foot table. But going from the smaller table to the bigger table it's tuff, longer shots, more stroke, pocket farther away, etc. I remember years ago when I llived in the San Francisco area, I used to play this guy and always spotted him the seven on the nine footer. He invited me to go to "the city" and play him at a big time pool room named Chochrans where they had a 5 x 10 pool table. I never played on that size table and thought there would be no difference. Was I wrong! I had a hard time beating this guy even. Positive proof thats its harder to go up to the bigger table.
Don't worry about the longer shots on a 9ft table. Whether you're shooting 1ft away or 7ft away, the angle is still the same.
What kills me is going down to a smaller table with a heavier cb. I'll play a foot past shape for about an hour until I either get used to it or go back to a 9footer. From what I see 9ft outnumber 8ft in Miami so I don't have that problem a whole lot.
What kills me is going down to a smaller table with a heavier cb. I'll play a foot past shape for about an hour until I either get used to it or go back to a 9footer. From what I see 9ft outnumber 8ft in Miami so I don't have that problem a whole lot.
the secret is to play both regularly
Those little bitty tables sure help learning to play in traffic. The big tables especially with tight pockets work wonders for your aim and stroke. Back when I gambled nightly on seven and eight foot bar tables I almost always put in a couple of hours on a snooker table first. I didn't have any trouble moving back and forth between different sized tables and balls since I played both of these constantly as well as some pro eights and nine footers.
Perhaps the best advice when changing table sizes is to take your foot off of the gas. I find it a lot easier to start off hitting what I think is too soft and gradually hit harder if I need to than to start off hitting too hard and back off to the right speed.
Hu
Those little bitty tables sure help learning to play in traffic. The big tables especially with tight pockets work wonders for your aim and stroke. Back when I gambled nightly on seven and eight foot bar tables I almost always put in a couple of hours on a snooker table first. I didn't have any trouble moving back and forth between different sized tables and balls since I played both of these constantly as well as some pro eights and nine footers.
Perhaps the best advice when changing table sizes is to take your foot off of the gas. I find it a lot easier to start off hitting what I think is too soft and gradually hit harder if I need to than to start off hitting too hard and back off to the right speed.
Hu
I play on a 9 all the time and I don't really like going to bar boxes afterwards. Most of the differences favor the weaker player and the table is not well cared for. That adds an element of randomness, which again helps the weaker player.
I can't comment about going from a 7 to a 9 as much, I made that switch after my first year of playing and tried to avoid toy tables ever since. I don't remember the switch bothering me though, playing on nicer cloth with usable side pockets and generally better equipment... more than made up for the fact that my shots were a bit longer.
I wouldn't recommend practicing on a 7 all the time if all your important games are going to be played on a 9. I think it teaches bad habits and decreases accuracy.
I can't comment about going from a 7 to a 9 as much, I made that switch after my first year of playing and tried to avoid toy tables ever since. I don't remember the switch bothering me though, playing on nicer cloth with usable side pockets and generally better equipment... more than made up for the fact that my shots were a bit longer.
I wouldn't recommend practicing on a 7 all the time if all your important games are going to be played on a 9. I think it teaches bad habits and decreases accuracy.