hello all im getting ready to re-do my 8 ft table and was curious what pocket size is best?? i want them tight for accuracy reasons but still want to be able to cheat a pocket and have room for carrom shots, just be able to practice all shots with accuracy. i was thinking 4 1/4th ???? how do the A 2 Z'ers feel about that??
pocket size
- Thread starter Trent
- Start date
I also have an 8 foot table. It has 4 1/2 corners, but the sides are buckets--5 1/2. If I were to redo mine, I'd leave the corners at 4 1/2 but take the sides down to about 4 7/8. I think 4 1/2 corners are fairly tight but not frustrating; that size seems just right to me.
By the way, you may want to search for a recent thread started by Realkingcobra, where he talks about the best way to tighten pockets.
Your side pockets should be a half inch bigger than the sides.
I would go along with 4.5". If you play much rotation games and go 4.25" or below it can become rather frustrating because it is very difficult to hit shots along or near the rails with any speed. Working to clear clusters off the break is one thing but virtually every rack of 9/10 ball requires getting up and down table which in turn usually involves some shots along the rails that need to be hit with some force. 4.5 is not unusually easy by any stretch but still give you a chance to execute these shots if well struck.
I like them tight myself!! :thumbup:
If you search, this has been discussed in many threads.
Best,
Russ.....
If you search, this has been discussed in many threads.
Best,
Russ.....
Sounds like good solid advice. so ill do 4 1/2 on the corners and 5 on the sides.... awsome that size combined with my new 860 cloth and new k66 rubber should make for a strong table.
i used to play on a 9ft diamond that was so tight you couldnt push 1 3/4 balls through and that was a frustrating table lol specially for one pocket.
i used to play on a 9ft diamond that was so tight you couldnt push 1 3/4 balls through and that was a frustrating table lol specially for one pocket.
I have a 9' Diamond with 4.25 pockets and I love it. Wouldn't have it any other way. After playing on it for two years I am well accustomed to the tightness and I even forget about the tight pockets.
Now is the perfect opportunity. Don't blow it :thumbup:
Like most things (well 1 other) in life.....
The tighter the better my dad always told me....
:thumbup:
I'd go with the 4.25 and 4.75 and have the openings cut at 52 or 53 degrees. If you go with 4.5 in the corners Id have the openings cut straight and I would still have the side pockets at 4.75....
The pockets on my snooker table are 3.5 or 3.75 (I havent checked in awhile) If the openings werent round I wouldnt have a problem with it. It is after all a practice table...
The tighter the better my dad always told me....
:thumbup:I'd go with the 4.25 and 4.75 and have the openings cut at 52 or 53 degrees. If you go with 4.5 in the corners Id have the openings cut straight and I would still have the side pockets at 4.75....
The pockets on my snooker table are 3.5 or 3.75 (I havent checked in awhile) If the openings werent round I wouldnt have a problem with it. It is after all a practice table...
Several people have suggested that <4.5" is better for one pocket?
Why is that?
Cory
(I'm soon to redo a table and tighten it up, and I play a lot of one pocket, so I'm genuinely curious about this).
Most people just prefer tighter pockets for one hole. It makes a difference on all aspects(getting balls out, shooting flyers, etc), but only in fairly general terms, imo. And my 2 cents is 4.25". I like that for any game. But, that is just me.
A table with 4.5 inch pockets is considered tight in my opinion. If you get them this way, it will be challenging and rewarding when you run out. Having said that, a table with 4.75 pockets is still within bca specs. I believe. Something that almost never gets mentioned is that if it is easier to make a ball, it is also easier to scratch; another thing, an easier pocket lets you try to learn to cheat the pocket a little for position sometimes. While some people think this isn't pure, I think it requires at least as much accuracy to cheat a pocket and still make the ball as it does to hit the center of a tight pocket. In other words, you are as likely to jaw one trying to fudge a little toward the edge of a pocket as you are to jaw one on a table with tight pockets. Really though, either way you go will be good. The trend now days is for 4.5 inch corners. Have fun either way.
Thanks --
I understand wanting tight pockets in general, and not wanting to play one pocket on bucket pockets. I was just curious as to why someone might want 4.5" for straight pool or 9-ball, but 4.25" for one hole.
I'm still debating 4.25 vs. 4.5...
The easy answer is in the speed of shots. You probably average shooting twice as hard in rotation games, thus making the pockets even tighter. As for straight pool, tight pockets are tough. Nothing like having a high run that is significantly lower than other players your speed simply because they play on easier equipment. Not many players on Earth are going to consistently run 100's on a 4.25" diamond, just as an example.
I have 4 3/8" on the corners and 4 7/8" on the sides of my GC1 and it is a great table to practice on. However, I feel it is a bit tight if I am having a group of people over for "recreational pool". With that said, all of my friends who play regularly (league buddies etc.) absolutly love it.
In my opionion, 4.5" corners and 5" sides would be a nice compromise between tough and enjoyable.
In my opionion, 4.5" corners and 5" sides would be a nice compromise between tough and enjoyable.
the other thing to consider on pool tables is shelf depth. For example, a Diamond and Gold Crown with 4.5" pockets will play different, the Diamond will be tougher because it has a deeper shelf. The tighter you make your pockets the shorter your shelf will become.
I like'em tight!!!!!
4" pockets can be very frustrating, but I love them!!!
Here's my GCI with Ernesto Dominguez' torture devices.....
4" pockets can be very frustrating, but I love them!!!
Here's my GCI with Ernesto Dominguez' torture devices.....