Pocket angle vs pocket curve.

Gravey39

Gravey39

Active member
So what’s the difference between American tables which has a hard angle at the pockets vs snooker and Asian tables which have it curved? Does it make that big of a difference? I’ve never played on a table with curved rails at the pockets? Wouldn’t it be easier to stretch the cloth in the rails when they’re curved vs having a to make a fold via the hard angle way? I need to get new rails for my table, so if the curved rail at the pocket make the table a tad bit harder, I might go for that. I’m all for pockets playing harder.
 
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Gravey39 said:
So what’s the difference between American tables which has a hard angle at the pockets vs snooker and Asian tables which have it curved? Does it make that big of a difference? I’ve never played on a table with curved rails at the pockets? Wouldn’t it be easier to stretch the cloth in the rails when they’re curved vs having a to make a fold via the hard angle way? I need to get new rails for my table, so if the curved rail st the pockets make the table a tad bit harder, I might go for that. I’m all for pockets playing harder.
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They are 2 totally different tables and games. Ball sizes are different. My advice is if you want a tough playing table like that ,buy a 10 ft snooker, people practically GIVE them away. Or a chinese 8 ball table, I assume they are going to be expensive. Good luck.


TFT
 
Gravey39 said:
So what’s the difference between American tables which has a hard angle at the pockets vs snooker and Asian tables which have it curved? Does it make that big of a difference? I’ve never played on a table with curved rails at the pockets? Wouldn’t it be easier to stretch the cloth in the rails when they’re curved vs having a to make a fold via the hard angle way? I need to get new rails for my table, so if the curved rail st the pockets make the table a tad bit harder, I might go for that. I’m all for pockets playing harder.
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A curved pocket basically lops off the point (speaking roughly). What this does, is allow shots that would normally be rejected by the inside point to drop, but more readily reject balls shot into the outside facing. Really no different than say hard angle pockets (with points) but with a large angle, (145 vs 142 degrees).

A pocket with a small throat <3.25" and wide angle >145 would be difficult to play on.

If you want something difficult, google russian pyramid. Sharp points and very tight pockets relative to the size of the balls.
 
The_JV said:
A curved pocket basically lops off the point (speaking roughly). What this does, is allow shots that would normally be rejected by the inside point to drop, but more readily reject balls shot into the outside facing. Really no different than say hard angle pockets (with points) but with a large angle, (145 vs 142 degrees).

A pocket with a small throat <3.25" and wide angle >145 would be difficult to play on.

If you want something difficult, google russian pyramid. Sharp points and very tight pockets relative to the size of the balls.
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very details and good answer!
 
Gravey39 said:
So what’s the difference between American tables which has a hard angle at the pockets vs snooker and Asian tables which have it curved? Does it make that big of a difference? I’ve never played on a table with curved rails at the pockets? Wouldn’t it be easier to stretch the cloth in the rails when they’re curved vs having a to make a fold via the hard angle way? I need to get new rails for my table, so if the curved rail st the pockets make the table a tad bit harder, I might go for that. I’m all for pockets playing harder.
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What kind of pool table do you have that you can just have snooker cushions installed so you can get tighter pockets?
 
realkingcobra said:
What kind of pool table do you have that you can just have snooker cushions installed so you can get tighter pockets?
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I probably don’t have a table that I can do so. That’s why I was looking for information about them on here. As I’m clueless I’m not a table mechanic.
 
What your asking is like asking if you can install a Ford Triton 6.8L V10 in a Volkswagen Beatle. Sure, it can be done, with enough money, but then what? At one point, you were interested in the pockets being tighter, then you wanted to know if installing the rail cloth would be easier, without having to use folds. Are you up in Canada?
 
realkingcobra said:
What your asking is like asking if you can install a Ford Triton 6.8L V10 in a Volkswagen Beatle. Sure, it can be done, with enough money, but then what? At one point, you were interested in the pockets being tighter, then you wanted to know if installing the rail cloth would be easier, without having to use folds. Are you up in Canada?
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Nope, Nebraska. And I was just curious. From the outside looking in with no experience it doesn’t look like it would take much to change an angle on a rubber rail but what do I know lol. I had zero knowledge of this that’s why I asked.
 
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Sheldon said:
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Couple of things to think about. Does his table have K55 cushions on it now? What kind of table is it?
The pocket castings have a smaller throat on the snooker castings than used for pocket pool. But then again, his table may have number 6 antique style drop pockets with the leather baskets.

Snooker rails are also 1 5/8" thick, less than pocket pool rails, UNLESS he has an Olhausen, which are only 1 1/2" thick, but designed to use a K66 cushion, so no good there either. Not to mention, Northern Snooker cushions are a step cushion design, and won't match up to any K55 profile snooker bends, so we know what cushions are on his table yet?

Get where I'm going with this?
 
The golf table at my local place is a 10ft. B'wick Royale with pool cushions, round pockets and 3.25 corners. They use pool balls on it it to play golf. Tough action. Great payball table too.
 
realkingcobra said:
Couple of things to think about. Does his table have K55 cushions on it now? What kind of table is it?
The pocket castings have a smaller throat on the snooker castings than used for pocket pool. But then again, his table may have number 6 antique style drop pockets with the leather baskets.

Snooker rails are also 1 5/8" thick, less than pocket pool rails, UNLESS he has an Olhausen, which are only 1 1/2" thick, but designed to use a K66 cushion, so no good there either. Not to mention, Northern Snooker cushions are a step cushion design, and won't match up to any K55 profile snooker bends, so we know what cushions are on his table yet?

Get where I'm going with this?
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I’m a wood worker by hobby and was a machinist for years. I don’t know a thing about pool tables. But I’m going to record the data before hand. And do the pockets this way anyways lol. If it doesn’t work. I’ll make my own rails and make it work.
 
Gravey39 said:
I’m a wood worker by hobby and was a machinist for years. I don’t know a thing about pool tables. But I’m going to record the data before hand. And do the pockets this way anyways lol. If it doesn’t work. I’ll make my own rails and make it work.
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So you know what kind of pool table you have yet?
 
realkingcobra said:
So you know what kind of pool table you have yet?
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It’s a Frankenstein table, it was made from three different pool tables. I purchased it from an old man that built tables in the 60’s. Paid $100 for it. Slates and slate bed were in perfect condition. True 8’. I’m going the route of building new rails and doing rounded corners bc I feel like it, looks better then standard corners, and it seems like a challenge after asking questions. The rails need freshened up anyways. I’ve already scraped the skirts. The whole idea for buying the table was to make it into my own anyways. Nows the time to do it. I’ll have a post on here recording my process. I own every tool you’d ever need for this, should be fun.
 
Gravey39 said:
Nope, Nebraska. And I was just curious. From the outside looking in with no experience it doesn’t look like it would take much to change an angle on a rubber rail but what do I know lol. I had zero knowledge of this that’s why I asked.
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You can make a pool table play to masochist level with a little tightening and the proper pocket angles. 8.5' (oversize 8) at 42 degrees and 4 3/8" pockets will make you curse the day you were born. Well, that is until you figure them out. You get that and that homefield advantage is a given. You play out in the wild and it's like taking candy from a baby.

No curves there, just simple math.
 
Gravey39 said:
It’s a Frankenstein table, it was made from three different pool tables. I purchased it from an old man that built tables in the 60’s. Paid $100 for it. Slates and slate bed were in perfect condition. True 8’. I’m going the route of building new rails and doing rounded corners bc I feel like it, looks better then standard corners, and it seems like a challenge after asking questions. The rails need freshened up anyways. I’ve already scraped the skirts. The whole idea for buying the table was to make it into my own anyways. Nows the time to do it. I’ll have a post on here recording my process. I own every tool you’d ever need for this, should be fun.
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Pics and we'll get all sherlock holmes on it.
 
realkingcobra said:
Couple of things to think about. Does his table have K55 cushions on it now? What kind of table is it?
The pocket castings have a smaller throat on the snooker castings than used for pocket pool. But then again, his table may have number 6 antique style drop pockets with the leather baskets.

Snooker rails are also 1 5/8" thick, less than pocket pool rails, UNLESS he has an Olhausen, which are only 1 1/2" thick, but designed to use a K66 cushion, so no good there either. Not to mention, Northern Snooker cushions are a step cushion design, and won't match up to any K55 profile snooker bends, so we know what cushions are on his table yet?

Get where I'm going with this?
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For sure, I posted that to give a clue as to how snooker pockets are done. The OP seemed to be under the impression that you could cut regular rail rubber into snooker bends.
 
Sheldon said:
For sure, I posted that to give a clue as to how snooker pockets are done. The OP seemed to be under the impression that you could cut regular rail rubber into snooker bends.
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Yes, I was under the impression that you could do so. Like I said I don’t really know much on those lines of rails and tables but I’m willing to learn.
 
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