It is so cringy to hear 400-500 level players talk about how important tight pockets are for one pocket. BS.
The precision aspect is clear and irrefutable. Enter, infinite players and their infinite typewriters.
The English golf ball was slightly smaller than the American one years ago!
We used to use the little ball here in Oklahoma. Played great in the wind.
Those are too tight for anyone but pros. Turns 9b into boring cinch pool for all but the elite.
Maybe, Mr. Cues II (off Chamblee-Tucker Rd). In the early 2000's I would go to the Monday night 9-ball tournament, and most of the warm-up tables were taken when I got there. Usually, the triple-shim table was open--at that point, it was pretty much the last table in the back, left-ish but basically straight from the front door. Triple-shimmed, but I don't recall ever knowing the actual pocket specs. They also used to have two snooker tables, and one is now where the triple-shim was, but I don't know the whereabouts of the triple-shim now.
For the pros, you can judge the difficulty of the table by the percentage of break-and-runs. I feel that 25% B&Rs on average for the final sixteen in a pro tournament is about right. Any less, and there's probably too much defense, any more and it gets boring as a competition. (See the video below.)
That was it. Mr Cues II. I rarely went there I went just the once I think. I was playing the lunch special at MBC most days and then on Shawn's table at night with him and Donny Mills and sometimes Johnny.
quiet jay. you will ruin my gambling. and no vaseline mentioning for you
It's simple math, 1/8" per corner of the pocket will allow more angle to take the shot as opposed to the safety, some players will go for the shot some will go for the safety, this is what's missing in the game in my opinion, not only that but some WILL miss the shot and some will attempt a safety and it won't be good enough, no matter how good the players are they will at times make mistakes, I guess the difference is do you like watching them make mistakes trying to runout or attempting safeties......You have a genre that's flailing for attention - participation even. Yeah must be the equipment.
Meanwhile on the winners side, whoa, players that have embraced the concept of precision; actually learned their margins;
The way I look at it, the balls stay the same size no matter what. Core temperature may affect the break - IDK. Weather, all that needs to be compensated for but how many have practiced with a hygrometer?
You are assuming cheating the pocket takes no ability to be accurate, when it is impossible to even try the shot because the size of the pockets make it physically impossible EVERY player has to play the safe, they have no choice, there is no other option if they are smart players and considering they are Pro's I'm going to give them the benefit of doubt, all pockets have a point where it is impossible to make the ball, I enjoy when a player has to make a choice between the shot or the safety, the Pro's today are so good we are talking 1/8th" on each side of the pocket, you assume that 1/8" means they never miss, you should know better than that.
It's often the save for some other incompetence.......by Pro's? Cheating a LARGE pocket? We are talking 1/8" of an inch on each side of the pocket!!!! Do you know how to read a tape measure? I'm not assuming you are excluding anything, I don't believe you will be happy until the pockets are 3&9/16"
You argue that Pros play to perfection infallibly? In a game like 9 ball, with enough space for quarter table landing triangles, why do players have to fudge any shot? To play more general position? Chinese pool proves you can calibrate to tougher specs. Jocks take that proof and argue aesthetics like "boring" no end. Just saying, you can't argue technical specs and tolerances. Obviously you don't take the design into impossible. EEk. I'm saying humans can and should take their abilities to < if it fits, I can make it. >
WRONG
if it fits I can make it...thank you for proving my point, smaller pockets make it so there is less it fits so I can make it, if you enjoy watching players not going for it and playing safety battles that is your choice, I believe it's why there is less interest and money in the sport and why even pro players have a hard time making a living in this sport, I guess the evolution will be to 3&9/16" pockets if you really want perfection
Everything fits a pool pocket. If you use my 'design', you can get down to 3.25 before it gets impossible and that's only slamming 'em down the rail.if it fits I can make it...thank you for proving my point, smaller pockets make it so there is less it fits so I can make it, if you enjoy watching players not going for it and playing safety battles that is your choice, I believe it's why there is less interest and money in the sport and why even pro players have a hard time making a living in this sport, I guess the evolution will be to 3&9/16" pockets if you really want perfection
