Playing 8ball on a 8ft table

[StormHotRod300]

I have been wondering about this for a long time. Basically since i started playing in my APA 8ball league.

Now I have played 8ball on a 9ft table, and its fun, but it can get tough if you are trying to break from the box, or have slow cloth. Breaking from the rail and doing a 2nd or 3rd ball break makes the table fairly open, and you end up with plenty of room to pot balls and play safe too.

On the flip side, playing on a 7ft is basically the opposite, and unless you have a really good break, the balls bunch up, and the game tends to take a long time. And even if you do have a good break, the balls can bunch up and you end up with a tough break out.

Also if you have a top notch player he makes the game almost no fun, cuz he will break n run, or break make a bunch of balls play a good safe, and then just run out when he gets back the table.

Hence where the 8ft tables comes into play. I have always thought the 8ft table was best for playing 8ball. Because you have just the right amount of room to play, and the balls tend to spread really good.

Now just outa curiousity i have never seen a 8ball tournament played on anything but barboxes or 7fts, or 9fts that the IPT uses.

Has anyone played in a 8ball tournament that used 8ft tables?

If so what was the peoples' reaction or comments about playing on a 8ft?

Would it be too easy for the top level players?

Is there too many break n runs?

dave

 

[CaptiveBred]

I've subbed on a league a few times that played 8 ball on 8 footers.

No difference to me except easier than 9 footers. I broke and ran 6 out of nine racks against one team. They called me a ringer, I had fun

They all play the same to me because I never get a good, wide open, spread... I always have to break out clusters. It is the nature of the beast. I think breaking out is MUCH easier on smaller tables and the shot making is, quite, simplified. So, I think the game is easier on the smaller tables... Well, maybe a wash...

 

[Cornerman]

Has anyone played in a 8ball tournament that used 8ft tables?

Too many times to count.

Would it be too easy for the top level players?

It always is. No matter what game, what size, it's too easy for top level players unless they're playing each other.

too many break n runs?

dave

It will always be a pocket size issue, but the added room gives amateurs an easier time.

As an anecdote, I normally don't get a bunch of B&R's during league, mostly because there aren't enough matches to get into a rhythm. My most B&R's in one session (13 B&R's in 8 matches) came while playing an in-house league on 8' Nationals.

Fred