Pockets really showing the players up

[Island Drive]

Until the whole pocket issue becomes set in stone, and that won't happen till billiards becomes a true sport, the issue of pocket size, shelf depth, facing material etc. will always disrupt the way/style of how 9-ball play should BE. Its still pretty much up to who brings the tables to the event, and what basic requirements they are told need to be addressed. They have FINALLY addressed the break (it's FINALLY AGRESSIVE) WOW, WHAT A CONCEPT,..NOW we need to bring back the extremely agressive offense..style of pocketing and cue ball movement that goes along with being out of line or coming up on the wrong side of the object ball. You don't see players as agressive as they once were, its because the table is less forgiving. Can't remember ever seeing recently on a Diamond a player cut a ball into the corner two diamonds up rail on the long rail from the pocket and come back around down table with FORCE FOLLOW 4 rails for shape, todays equipment won't allow it, the object ball stands up at that speed entering the slot. Maybe we should tell the PGA to make the hole in the cup on the green smaller to make putting more difficult. As you can tell I've been annoyed by this and keep preaching to the choir, but samo samo, but at least the break issue is HERE, and I thank Earl for being part of that.

 

[Vahmurka]

by the way what do you think is the reason that there is no single standard about the pocket size and cut? Why do the pros have to adjust to it at every event? Shouldn't the governing body agree on a certain size (4 and a half, or even 4 inches since there is a tendency to restrict the pockets) and stick to it at all competitions? Make a template that fits the pocket to check if it is true or not, and let all pro events be played on standard tables.
If pool halls need to have tables with buckets for entertainment, let them have it as well. But the pros will set up the tables they need.
Is the only obstacle that no such agreement about pocket size is possible?

 

[vagabond]

Why do the pros have to adjust to it at every event? Shouldn't the governing body agree on a certain size (4 and a half, or even 4 inches since there is a tendency QUOTE]

hi,
I agree with you but there is no single governing body for pool in existance.
Besides, in America there are many who want to defy the authoriy and the single set of rules.This is what is called 'Rugged Individualism'.

 

[Vahmurka]

I agree with you but there is no single governing body for pool in existance.

I would name WCBS as a major one, uniting all continental confederations, not only in pool but snooker and carom.
And what about WPA which establishes the worldwide official rules and equipment standards? BCA refers to WPA with their rules, so I see it pretty simple if they wished to have them pockets unified.

 

[TheWizard]

I agree with you on that wholeheartedly Vahmurka, I think that it's about time that the BCA were a bit more decisive on 1 official pocket size for pool tables, especially when it comes to competeing at Pro level.

Personally I think that the perfect pocket sze would be 4.25", this way the pockets are tighter than the everyday bangers ball park, but also not too tight therefore allowing more pro level players to compete at the highest level and increase the standard of pool overall

What are your thoughts on this everyone, would you guys like to shoot on 4.25" pockets?

Willie

 

[jwpretd]

I agree with you on that wholeheartedly Vahmurka, I think that it's about time that the BCA were a bit more decisive on 1 official pocket size for pool tables, especially when it comes to competeing at Pro level.

Actually, the BCA has been very decisive; they say to go look at the WPA rules. The WPA rules are very explicit about pocket width: 4.50 to 4.625 inches (i.e., 4 1/2 to 4 5/8 inches) for corner pockets and 0.50 inches larger for side pockets. They're equally explicit about the other dimensions, including facing material and thickness, and pocket cut angle. See http://www.wpa-pool.com/index.asp?content=rules_spec

What are your thoughts on this everyone, would you guys like to shoot on 4.25" pockets?

No, I think 4.5 inches is just fine.

 

[TheWizard]

I know of the BCA/WPA equipment specifications, but I'm thinking that they should just have 1 particular standard pocket with for the corner pockets and side pockets and stick with that, instead of pocket widths ranging slightly in facing width, e.g. that the offical pocket size being 4.5"

To me, 4.5 pockets are standard, I've been shooting on that pocket width for many years, and so if pocket widths were kept at that one size of 4.5", that would be much better.

Willie

 

[Island Drive]

I agree with you on that wholeheartedly Vahmurka, I think that it's about time that the BCA were a bit more decisive on 1 official pocket size for pool tables, especially when it comes to competeing at Pro level.

Personally I think that the perfect pocket sze would be 4.25", this way the pockets are tighter than the everyday bangers ball park, but also not too tight therefore allowing more pro level players to compete at the highest level and increase the standard of pool overall

What are your thoughts on this everyone, would you guys like to shoot on 4.25" pockets?

Willie

The BCA is just a puppet of the mfg. as it should be. There is no way your going to get table mfg. (other that Greg Sullivan) to change their tooling or what ever to accomodate a market (Pro) that is not even 10% of their business. The cost for mfg to change matters is huge and therefore will not be consider till.... when, I could only guess.

 

[Vahmurka]

I see it as follows: the governing body collects player's opinions, probably some council of respectable pros of past and present is needed, and after the final decision is made WPA (or whatever) comes out with a standard which all the manufacturers should obey IF they would like their tables to be considered at the main events.
If they don't want to stay aside I think it is not very hard to produce a table that would match the requirements. Even if they continue producing their own pocket size and cut. But after these event the quantity of people eager to play and practice on the same table where pros compete should increase, thus forcing the mfgs to stick to the standard chosen.