My L.A. trip and tight pockets

ChrisinNC said:
From the overhead pocket photo, I’m guessing your facing angles appear to be no more than 138°, which is why your table should play very fair. Believe me, at 4-1/8” and 142° facing angles, it would play brutally tough.
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140°; tight but fair.
 
lfigueroa said:
The thing is the majority of players, at many different levels, don’t have access to tables with unusually tight pockets and don’t have the opportunity to “evolve.”

It’s like saying pool is the same on a 10’ as it it is on a 9’. Well OK, but most players will never get the chance to practice, play, and much less compete on a 10’ table so “evolving” is not a likely outcome.

Lou Figueroa
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Great post !
 
rexus31 said:
Lots of folks here in LA have tight tables at home.

My restored Gold Crown I with 4.125" corners and 4.875" sides.

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Can I come over on my next trip?
 
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lfigueroa said:
Pockets that are too tight turn the game into something that is not pool.

You need to be able to work the CB but if the pockets are too tight you’re reduced to using center ball and concentrating on just pocketing the ball rather than pocketing the ball and playing position.

And as previously mentioned, tight pockets frustrate the average player out for a night. I don’t think that’s good for business or the game in general.

Lou Figueroa
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Yes. The ones that just come in and hit balls for something to do want to be able to make some balls. The couples, the social groups etc.
 
lfigueroa said:
The thing is the majority of players, at many different levels, don’t have access to tables with unusually tight pockets and don’t have the opportunity to “evolve.”

It’s like saying pool is the same on a 10’ as it it is on a 9’. Well OK, but most players will never get the chance to practice, play, and much less compete on a 10’ table so “evolving” is not a likely outcome.

Lou Figueroa
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This speaks more to the nature of the pile on effect where in this case millions flock to pool to partake of whatever it is they can perceive about it. Same thing happened in the music industry except it took off because it produces a token byproduct for the masses.

Pool is not so blessed. It's claim to the promised land is its predatory efficiency. Be that as it may, the way it's performed is still in the stone age. General access will never happen by pooing the concept of stiffening the requirements - meaning if you don't build it, they wont come.
 
straightline said:
This speaks more to the nature of the pile on effect where in this case millions flock to pool to partake of whatever it is they can perceive about it. Same thing happened in the music industry except it took off because it produces a token byproduct for the masses.

Pool is not so blessed. It's claim to the promised land is its predatory efficiency. Be that as it may, the way it's performed is still in the stone age. General access will never happen by pooing the concept of stiffening the requirements - meaning if you don't build it, they wont come.
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We can all dream but reality is reality.

I’ve played at rooms all over the country and many still have old tables. There are more rooms nowadays with Diamonds with 4.5 pockets but if you think a majority of those rooms owners are going to dump those relatively new tables and spring for 4.25 pockets, you’re nuts.

Lou Figueroa
 
lfigueroa said:
We can all dream but reality is reality.

I’ve played at rooms all over the country and many still have old tables. There are more rooms nowadays with Diamonds with 4.5 pockets but if you think a majority of those rooms owners are going to dump those relatively new tables and spring for 4.25 pockets, you’re nuts.

Lou Figueroa
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I have yet to explore the country but judging by what's being paraded as the American pinnacle, bleak. No I'm not holding my breath over anything pool related lol. That said, overseas players will continue to benefit from their more stringent environments and come here for the buffet.
 
straightline said:
I have yet to explore the country but judging by what's being paraded as the American pinnacle, bleak. No I'm not holding my breath over anything pool related lol. That said, overseas players will continue to benefit from their more stringent environments and come here for the buffet.
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Of the top 100 players in the world there is a small bunch of US players but it seems that only SVB for the most part is the only one in the conversation. That’s pretty weak.
 
jtompilot said:
Of the top 100 players in the world there is a small bunch of US players but it seems that only SVB for the most part is the only one in the conversation. That’s pretty weak.
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Indeed. Seems like road players were the only industry pool presented and that's not a genre that likes publicity. I do think places like the new Luckys that address the need for challenging equipment are awesome.
 
lfigueroa said:
Very nice table but certainly not the norm around the country.

Lou Figueroa
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Thank you, sir.

Probably not the countrywide norm, but I thought this thread was speaking to LA. Lots of people I know in the local pool scene have tables at home because there aren't many pools rooms left in LA. Many of those tables are tight. I suppose it stemmed from the decades of tight equipment at Hard Times and Hollywood Billiards; among others. I would say tight pockets are certainly the "norm" here locally.
 
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rexus31 said:
Thank you, sir.

Probably not the countrywide norm, but I thought this thread was speaking to LA. Lots of people I know in the local pool scene have tables at home because there aren't many pools rooms left in LA. Many of those tables are tight. I suppose it stemmed from the decades of tight equipment at Hard Times and Hollywood Billiards; among others. I would say tight pockets are certainly the "norm" here locally.
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I’d probably say that every room in the country that has good players has at least one tight table. The only room I can think of that doesn’t have a tight table is Castle Billiards in East Rutherford, NJ. They had one that had plenty of 1P action and great for practice but they opened it up so I quit going there, same goes for Clifton Billiards. Not sure if any good players go there anymore but the leagues like having an extra table with buckets.
 
rexus31 said:
Thank you, sir.

Probably not the countrywide norm, but I thought this thread was speaking to LA. Lots of people I know in the local pool scene have tables at home because there aren't many pools rooms left in LA. Many of those tables are tight. I suppose it stemmed from the decades of tight equipment at Hard Times and Hollywood Billiards; among others. I would say tight pockets are certainly the "norm" here locally.
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About LA in thread title only, lol.

And yes, the LA pool scene has become pretty bare.

Lou Figueroa
 
maha said:
yes having a few tight pockets is good for the dedicated one pocket players that want those. and if time is by the hour then they play longer as the games take longer. as long as they stay full when the other tables are empty.

but many of those rooms also have all the tables fairly tight , and those few tables one pocket tables are most of their business.
but the rest of your tables in a room should actually have oversized pockets by todays standard for the fun players. more like 5 inch plus.

if all your tables fill up regularly, unless those tight ones are also full when the others are then its okay. other wise you drive away the real money spenders from your place. they may eat drink and play all night with multiple players on a table paying. they are your core business and all the eggs in your basket.

and while i am at it clean your tables and balls and throw out those chalk pieces that have the last 5 cents worth in the bottom. thats an insult to even the worst players. along with slip on tips on the house cues. no wonder rooms go broke and blame it on the rent instead of the owner.

ask jay if in his room he used chalk till it fell apart and slip on tips on filthy house cues. dirty tables and balls and had a nasty minimum wage guy running the room most all the day.
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Always kept my equipment in good shape! Retipped the house cues myself, blue Master chalk in every tray plus a box of good chalk on the counter. Number one rule for my counter person. NEVER ignore a customer! If you’re busy, tell them you’ll be right with them. If someone comes to the counter they just became your priority! If I caught them snoozing, they would get one warning. There was no second warning.

My day man was responsible for cleaning all sets of balls.

I never forgot my first business lesson - The customer is King!
 
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