If you are a better player (as a 7), than your opponents, then you will only do better on the Diamond. The pockets play truer with the table shelf extended into the hole. It will be tigher pockets than the valleys, you have to make the ball in order for it to go. Moving the cueball is much more predictable with better rails and Simonis cloth (or whatever they use over Valley cloth).
Just runout like water and show them what you are working with. I love playing Diamond BB pool. Ususally play 9 foot 9 ball so a little barbox 8 ball is just a shooting gallery...there really are no hard shots.
Good luck to you. Just take the time to figure out the banking differences, there will be many.
Put together cue (optionally take a house cue and use that).
Put the balls in the hole.
Rack and repeat second step.
Play and learn, play and learn.
You will need to probably aim better as I'm sure the Diamond will have pockets 1/2 inch or so smaller, you will need to re-learn how the rails bank take spin as well as how fast the cloth plays.
Great tables, they favor the more accurate players with good cueball control and the ability to bank. They take a lot of slop and guesswork out of the game.If I had my choice that is all I would play on.
I think a Diamond plays easier than a valley once you get the speed off the rails down I prefer to roll down to a rail and back for position where I might try to juice up low as you will rattle less balls.
I grew up playing on all Valleys and then about 5 years ago came to an area all Diamonds.
1. The biggest difference is of course speed, they are fast and yes very bouncy.
2. Cue ball movement is very easy, but that also means weaker players can now move the ball easier. Controlling it is the difference.
3. Pocket speed becomes much more important because of the tigher pockets and the deeper shelf.
4. The side pockets become as playable as the corners. On valley tables the side pockets are tight.
5. The cueball will not grab the simonis like it does the chamnpionship cloth typically on valley tables. As a result it is harder to get the cueball to bend on draw shots to avoid scratching etc.
6. The 8-ball goes in MUCH more often.
7. Breaking clusters requires some control because the balls will move alot after contact.
You can slow roll the cue ball - and it will go straight.
Too many times I slow rolled on Valley and missed the whole damn ball!
All things considered equal, games go faster on a Diamond - even the weaker players because they realize you can shoot softer which is usually more accurate.
Diamonds and valleys are night and day apart. I really enjoy the diamond tables, if you play decent, you will definitely like them better than valley tables. As far as adjusting your game, I would not try to adjust, just play. In my experience, adjustments sometime lead to creating problems. I go back and fourth between 7' & 9' tables all the time without any difficulties.
Don't try and slop a ball in like a Valley. Make sure you do not hit the rail cutting a ball to the corner. A lot more finesse is needed on a Diamond. After playing on them you will see how a barbox is suppose to play.
The banks don't play correctly, although I have herd they are trying to fix that. You can get bad rolls on them, had one roll way off in a tourney, cost me that match. They do play fast and the rails are bouncy as others have said. They are good tables but like all tables it will depend on how well they are maintained as they age. Hopefully the owners realize this and do the maintenance that is required to keep them in top playing shape.
Maybe you're used to banking long. I know what you mean, though. Once you get them down and learn how to make consistent adjustments, they're great even if a bit fickle on speed.
Thanks so much for the feed back. I am now ready to take on all comers.
Last night I came in in 5th place 30 man field. 8 ball 7 and under. 7s race to 3 all others go to 2. Lost my two matches because the sixes broke and ran. There is no defense for that but a one sided coin! I wish i won, but, hey what can you do?