Opinion's Needed on Pocket Size

[djpstacked03]

I have a 7' Brunswick Tahoe pool table that is going to be reassembled within the next week. I told the table mechanic that I want the pockets much tighter. He said he is going to extend the rails to the tighness of my choice. I know that the opening of the pockets were probably 2 1/2 balls wide. If I have the pockets 4.375 wide (1/8 smaller than 2 ball Diameter) is that still too generous in your opinion. I want to improve my shotmaking but still be able to cheat the pocket a bit. He mentioned that pro pockets range from 4.25 - 4.5. What do you guys think?

 

[TimKrazyMon]

I'd say anything smaller than 2 balls wide is fine. The 4.375" sounds great, tight enough to challenge you but not too tight to frustrate you. Anything less than 4.25" and you won't be able to cheat the pocket at all.

 

[tucson9ball]

I have a 7' Brunswick Tahoe pool table that is going to be reassembled within the next week. I told the table mechanic that I want the pockets much tighter. He said he is going to extend the rails to the tighness of my choice. I know that the opening of the pockets were probably 2 1/2 balls wide. If I have the pockets 4.375 wide (1/8 smaller than 2 ball Diameter) is that still too generous in your opinion. I want to improve my shotmaking but still be able to cheat the pocket a bit. He mentioned that pro pockets range from 4.25 - 4.5. What do you guys think?

I would say that would be fine. If you make them too small it just gets frustrating.

 

[dave sutton]

I think there is a fine like between too tight and too loose. Too loose you get sloppy but too tight changes the game to the point that you can't pocket the ball properly. That hurts your game just as much IMO. I say I'd a hair tighter then standard is best. Just to keep you on your toesalso a big factor is maker of thr table. Different pocket cuts play completely differently. You may never make a ball on a shunned diamond.

 

[Big Perm]

Tightness is as important in pool as it is in life :grin-square:

For your needs, sounds like you have a good idea, go with your gut....

 

[djpstacked03]

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[TheBook]

Something that I have considered was making each pocket a different size. I think this would really throw off the opponents. I wonder how long it would take them to figure it out.

 

[JAW725]

Dave,

TimKrazyMon has got it right IMO, you still want to be able to cheat the pocket some and frustration is a factor as well. You got it right, I'm sure.

 

[James2003]

I have a 7' Brunswick Tahoe pool table that is going to be reassembled within the next week. I told the table mechanic that I want the pockets much tighter. He said he is going to extend the rails to the tighness of my choice. I know that the opening of the pockets were probably 2 1/2 balls wide. If I have the pockets 4.375 wide (1/8 smaller than 2 ball Diameter) is that still too generous in your opinion. I want to improve my shotmaking but still be able to cheat the pocket a bit. He mentioned that pro pockets range from 4.25 - 4.5. What do you guys think?

Mine were about 4 3/4 to 5" wide. I had them double shimmed when they set the table up. here is a pic of them. (Table is also a Brunswick)

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

I'd say anything smaller than 2 balls wide is fine. The 4.375" sounds great, tight enough to challenge you but not too tight to frustrate you. Anything less than 4.25" and you won't be able to cheat the pocket at all.

Agreed. My table (a 9') is cut to 4 1/4" and it plays perfect for all games. It does challenge my ability to go real high in 14.1 though, a game I love to play, but that's OK. You can still play to parts of the pocket and it also plays great for 1 hole. I just blame the pockets for not being able to run 400 yet. :grin-square:

4 3/8" would be fine too. Though on a seven footer maybe the smaller 4.25 would be better.

I would not advise going any smaller.

 

[JimS]

I think 4.5 is perfect. But NOT double shimmed. The double faciing will cause a different rebound than just one shim/facing. The cushion will need to be extended if you want it to play perfect.

 

[poolcuemaster]

All I can tell you is my 9ft Diamond pro in my avatar is real tight two balls won't go in the side pockets even. Now a Diamond plays tough to start with so thats part of it, but I played on it a while and and you forget that it is tight. You don't notice it at all after a month till friends who play very well come over to play and you wax there a$$ playing there favorite game and every other game, then they say I'm not playing on this table anymore I can't make a dang ball. This has happened several times and my wife who captains a 9 ball team plays on an 8ball team and loves to play has only played me 3 times on OUR table in 3 years. The next time it needs cloth the pockets will be put back to Diamond standard size just so others will have some fun playing.--Leonard

 

[johnqbs]

check the pockets on my diy pool table

I have a 7' Brunswick Tahoe pool table that is going to be reassembled within the next week. I told the table mechanic that I want the pockets much tighter. He said he is going to extend the rails to the tighness of my choice. I know that the opening of the pockets were probably 2 1/2 balls wide. If I have the pockets 4.375 wide (1/8 smaller than 2 ball Diameter) is that still too generous in your opinion. I want to improve my shotmaking but still be able to cheat the pocket a bit. He mentioned that pro pockets range from 4.25 - 4.5. What do you guys think?

i cut sub rails to be 4 1/4 allso built with 1 3/8 shelf 4 1/4 - 4 3/8 is a
good pocket size. you still have a little room to cheat pocket . a good practice table , i like doing drills . it has helped my shot makeing ability
i posted pictures of table and pockets here on the main forum.
look for "diy pool table" john107 . not sure what page it may be on
if can't find pm me will repost . if i can make it happen here is pic.
hope this helps you, take care johnqbs: anderson sc

 

[James2003]

I think 4.5 is perfect. But NOT double shimmed. The double faciing will cause a different rebound than just one shim/facing. The cushion will need to be extended if you want it to play perfect.

Sorry but I have to disagree.. Mine plays just fine double shimmed.. But I gues some tables will play worse if double shimmed.

 

[johnqbs]

double shim

Sorry but I have to disagree.. Mine plays just fine double shimmed.. But I gues some tables will play worse if double shimmed.

what i would look at is the price of extending rails verses over size faceing. what thickness you can get i think a 6mm i have seen them.
you want to keep the table desireable to play on . this could turn in
to a money pit. if it was me i would use the over size faceing.
i have played on a friends table with over size shim. most of the time
when the ball did not fall , it was me and not the table. or cue had the
wrong ballance point . some time when we get all these other things
in our mind we can't focus on our game, think about ways to keep it
a fun game. take care johnqbs:anderson sc

 

[cigardave]

Based on my experience, I believe that every table's pocket size should be balanced with the springiness of the cushions. I'll try to explain.

I wouldn't want my 9' Diamond Pro Am with pro cut (4.5" corner) pockets any tighter or I would likely become frustrated with it... based simply on the fact that when shooting balls that are along the long rail there is little, if any, tolerance for contacting the side cushion and having that object ball fall in the pocket.

What you don't want to end up with, imo, is a pool table whose corner pockets play more like a snooker table... that is, the shots that I described above are extremely difficult to make... and yes, I understand the differences between how snooker table corner pockets are cut and how pool table corner pockets are cut.

I guess what I am saying is... If the cushions on your table are not extremely springy you'll be able to tighten the pockets up a bit more by comparison to a table whose cushions are very lively... without thinking afterward that you went too far with tightening your table's pockets.

Best of luck with your decision. :thumbup2: