I’m curious what y’all think about practicing or even owning a table a foot bigger than the one you actually play on. For example a 10’ practice table and actually play in the halls on a 9’ table. I know one big disadvantage is the change in speed control given actually playing tournaments ect on a 9’ table. Any thoughts? I’m seriouslily considering purchasing a 10’ table to practice at home on instead of a 9’ table.
Practice table size 9’ or 10’
- Thread starter Dwalk70
- Start date
Totally different animal. It won't help your 9b game any more than a 9ft. Plus they're expensive as hell (at least a new one is) and cloth is higher than giraffe balls for a 10ft'r. Get a 9ft. Curious, how long have you played pool?
I would go towards a tighter pocket table vs a larger table for practice, and stick with 9 footer.
If you are actually serious about getting ready for matches, and have the room and $, a 9 footer and a 7 footer would be ideal.
If you are actually serious about getting ready for matches, and have the room and $, a 9 footer and a 7 footer would be ideal.
I agree, I think practicing on a tight 9 foot table will make club tables feel familiar but easier. Moving from a 10 foot to a 9 foot will certainly feel easier, but the game is different enough at the larger size to require an adjustment. Adjusting from a 4.25" pocket to a 4.75" pocket doesn't require any real adjustment other than remembering that you can cheat the pocket more.
I do have the opportunity to get a used olhausen 10’ for $8k installed. It’s only been used about 10 months very lightly. It has slightly smaller pockets than a 9’ diamond.
I know practicing on a 10’ would increase shot making ability on a 9’. Also, a 10’ would have much longer shots to practice with.
One other issue is A 9’ diamond is atleast 6 months out lead time.
I do agree probably ideal would be a 9’ with smaller pockets so that you learn the table actually going to play on.
I know practicing on a 10’ would increase shot making ability on a 9’. Also, a 10’ would have much longer shots to practice with.
One other issue is A 9’ diamond is atleast 6 months out lead time.
I do agree probably ideal would be a 9’ with smaller pockets so that you learn the table actually going to play on.
8GRAND??? Buy a used 9ft GC and save 6thou.
And me one too lol
It will help with long shots but patterns on a 10ft are often totally different. I've only played on a couple and its a different game imo.
I agree that it's a different game. From my experience, adopting the patterns (many are the same) on a 9 footer is far easier to do when one's pocketing skills take a leap in every pocketing discipline - confidence being a huge factor. Let alone getting some positions on a 10 footer that demand far more of a needed stroke to achieve. To me it all starts with the stroke. That's just my opinion.
My point is the expense(and room size req.) of a 10ft are greater than what you're going to get out of it. It won't increase your ability on a 9ft that much. As stated earlier getting a 9ft with tighter pockets is the way to go.
Specifically How are the patterns different and how is it a completely different game on a 10’?
The dealer I have sales a 9’ pro am for 9,000 installed
So I would save a $1,000 on the 10’ and have it months sooner. Or if I could get some advice on a realistic offer if 8,000 is too much installed
Even if the 9’ was available right now like the 10’ I’m still torn on which one too get. Please make clear which one you are suggesting and why. Some of the comments do make a clear suggestion on which size to buy and why but some don’t.
The dealer I have sales a 9’ pro am for 9,000 installed
So I would save a $1,000 on the 10’ and have it months sooner. Or if I could get some advice on a realistic offer if 8,000 is too much installed
Even if the 9’ was available right now like the 10’ I’m still torn on which one too get. Please make clear which one you are suggesting and why. Some of the comments do make a clear suggestion on which size to buy and why but some don’t.
Practice on what your going to be playing on.
It’s really that simple. All this pocket size, table size, remember what pocket you can cheat or not. Please……
How can practicing on something different and therefore needing to make adjustments to play your best be helpful?
Keep it simple
Best
Fatboy
It’s really that simple. All this pocket size, table size, remember what pocket you can cheat or not. Please……
How can practicing on something different and therefore needing to make adjustments to play your best be helpful?
Keep it simple
Best
Fatboy
MurrayNevada
Well-known member
But it would be an Olhausen and not a Diamond. Try looking for a used 9' Diamond. You will be more likely to come across Pro-Ams than Olhausens at local pool halls.
You might want to spend some time on one and see for yourself. If you go that o'hausen route you better love it 'cause you'll never get anything close to what you paid for it. the diamond is a way better table and investment.
Nyquil
Well-known member
Honestly a 9ft is pretty much perfect imo. Its extremely rare to play a league or competition on a 10ft. With that said 10ft can help you in your long game I suppose. If I had the room width wise I might have sprung for a 10. 9ft was pushing it on the 5ft rule for room size.
You can shoot corner-to-corner diagonally on a 9ft for all the long practice you'll ever need.
I will go against the grain. Here is my opinion:
1) Practicing on a bigger table will NOT make you a better player. It will make zero difference
2) Practicing on smaller pockets will NOT make you a better player. It will make zero difference.
3) Practicing on tougher equipment IS harder, for sure. But making something harder does not translate to making you better at it. You will simply miss a bunch more balls. You are not magically going to improve your stroke, hand eye coordination, thinking, nerves, desire, etc, on tougher equipment.
4) The patterns on 6 foot bar boxes and 10' tables, and everything in between, are the same. The easier equipment allows you to get away with some poorly hit shots, and poorly planned position routes. But you can, and should, plan for proper routes on all size tables.
5) The main difference on a 10' table is you might have to play position differently to reach shots if you are not super tall.
6) The speed control between different sizes takes about 2 shots to get perfect.
7) Before you even consider a Diamond, you better play on one in your locale with 2 year old cloth. Make sure you still like it before you commit to a new one. Their rail reaction is unlike any other table, ESPECIALLY when the cloth is worn.
1) Practicing on a bigger table will NOT make you a better player. It will make zero difference
2) Practicing on smaller pockets will NOT make you a better player. It will make zero difference.
3) Practicing on tougher equipment IS harder, for sure. But making something harder does not translate to making you better at it. You will simply miss a bunch more balls. You are not magically going to improve your stroke, hand eye coordination, thinking, nerves, desire, etc, on tougher equipment.
4) The patterns on 6 foot bar boxes and 10' tables, and everything in between, are the same. The easier equipment allows you to get away with some poorly hit shots, and poorly planned position routes. But you can, and should, plan for proper routes on all size tables.
5) The main difference on a 10' table is you might have to play position differently to reach shots if you are not super tall.
6) The speed control between different sizes takes about 2 shots to get perfect.
7) Before you even consider a Diamond, you better play on one in your locale with 2 year old cloth. Make sure you still like it before you commit to a new one. Their rail reaction is unlike any other table, ESPECIALLY when the cloth is worn.
Not everyone has the ability to try out different tables before hand.
I'm guessing there isn't a GC or Diamond within 6 to 8 hours of here unless it's in someone's house and you probably won't find it.
I'm still curious why you think this about newer Diamond tables as you seem to be the one of the only one to say this. I'm not saying your wrong but would like to hear from others.
The blue labels play fine. Different from a GC? Sure buts its no big adjustment.