My work schedule definitely isn't normal lol. It's only temporary while we have a huge workload. We've agreed as a group to no longer take Friday's off and work a minimum of 45 hours per week. While I'm making the OT and putting more towards the house, I'd like to get the extra room for a table.
If I only have the room for a seven footer, would it hurt my game?
I`m not sure if the math in this equation is correct.
If your table costs $1000 and 1 hour at the pool hall costs $1 it will take 1000 hours, but in that equation the costs of the 300 square feet room, occupied by the pool table is not factored in. Here in Oslo where i live, that 300 square feet room would "cost" about $180.000
Prices might vary where you live...
So the actual cost of owning a pool table is higher than what you payed for the table.
If I only have the room for a seven footer, would it hurt my game?
The first time you roll out of bed and hit a ball in your underwear it will pay for itself.
There was a guy who came in the pool room who had a table in his apartment. The first time I saw it I could not believe it. It was a 9 foot Gandy and on two sides it was almost against the walls. Only about 18 inches. The rest was fine. He practiced on this table and this guy was a very good player. You could not really play a game because of the walls but you could practice pretty much anything other then that,Not at all. I had a 7' home table for the last 7 years, and after remeasuring I'm putting in an 8' diamond pro (which is a hair too big after remeasuring that... lol).
The 7' home table was great for my game. It had wide pockets, and bobbled anything hit with any force that hit a facing. I had championship tour cloth on it, so it was very quick.
This table setup, while not optimal, taught me a few things:
1. Speed control. Everything is pocket speed
2. Accuracy, when you need to hit harder (long draw shots, etc), you have to laser beam it to the 4" back of the pocket so it stays down.
3. Position play. With the crowded 7' table, you have to stop taking shots that loose control of the cue ball after contact. Sending the CB flying on a fast 7' with wide pockets is a 50/50 chance on scratching (well, it feels that high). You have to learn to stun the CB on cut shots, and you have to plan out you position around shots where you can keep the CB from flying after contact.
All of this stuff is due to playing on this non-optimal home table, but it applies to every other table you're going to play on as well. It's just a different emphasis.
I posted that list because some were suggesting "shooting some balls" when having a short time period to do it. I think that is a mistake.
For example, I don't shoot without my shoes on, as that is how I must play in public, so I don't want to get used to shooting barefoot or in my slippers and not be able to perform in public.
I have a friend who just got a 1898 Brunswick. He was lazy in how he used it so I got him a book, some notes from my lessons, etc. and have taught him how to practice effectively, not just bang balls around. It has helped him improve.
Also, one can get so used to one's personal table that one can no longer play well on other equipment. Being able to perform on any equipment is a good skill to have. A home table can keep a player from practicing elsewhere and when it's time to compete on those other tables, that player can no longer do that.
Another problem might be the "furnace shot." That's the corner of the table where using a full cue is a problem, so a home table player can get to unconsciously avoid that part of the table and that, too, can less his competitiveness.
I hope that makes sense.
Jeff Livingston
I work 50 hours a week, if not more. Tack on five 96 mile round trip drives to work taking up a total of 2-2.5 hours out of the day. All that adds up to rarely getting as much table time as I used to. I'll be buying a new house soon and hopefully we can find a house with room for even a seven footer, but I keep having thoughts that it might not be worth it.
How many of you play on your table at home consistently?
The dangers of a home table:
Shooting balls with little purpose.
Practicing the wrong way or the wrong things.
Forgetting how to play in public and win.
Playing lazy pool.
There are more that I can't think of right now. Perhaps others can chime in.
Jeff Livingston