Russian pool questions

blackflagsailor

blackflagsailor

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Okay, I normally stick to 8-Ball but I want to branch out and collect pool ball sets for different games like Snooker. One game that I'm really having trouble finding is Russian Billiards or Pyramid. I use a coin-op 8ft table so I want to know what size is best on an 8ft table. Do they make 2 1/4" Russian pool balls? Does anyone know where I can even buy a set of Russian pool balls online that will ship to the USA?
 
Your closest bet to play pyramid on a non-pyramid table is to use regulation balls (2.25) on a snooker table. It would be closer than playing on an eight foot table, but still miles away from the real thing considering that pyramid balls are 2-11/16".
 
True. If I was going to do this right I would get the right table and right size russian ball set. However, I do not have the money or space for this. I read that they make Russian pyramid sets for smaller tables including the 4x8ft and while yes, I can just use the regular billiard ball set, that takes away from the look and feel of playing with a set of all white numbered object balls and a red cue. So it's really more of a novelty thing, but I'd like to find a set nonetheless.
 
Alright, so a few things have come to my attention. Apparently there are manufactures who make Russian Billiard sets for 4x8ft tables. Unfortunately I don't know where to find any of these companies other then directly from Russia I bet and I don't know a word of Russian.

Another key factor of keeping the traditional challenge and feel of Pyramid is the ball size. Most standard billiard balls are 2 1/4". Most Russian billiard balls are 68mm (2 11/16").

Then there is the pocket size which is much smaller then standard billiards.

My table is an 8ft coin-op Valley. The larger size balls might recapture the feel of the game, but will they work in the coin-op tables "subway" or get stuck I wonder?

Also, the hardest part is finding a set. I've searched the net for hours and hours for these unique billiard balls and I've found only a few places that I can order them.

This place has them in two sizes, though I don't know quality: http://www.worldwidebilliardsupplies.com/russianpyramid.shtml

There is also an Aramith set on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Aramith-Russian...569?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c59e6ac09

And a local billiard supply in the Seattle area can order me a set for $200+

I can't even think of buying a set till I know what size would be recommended for my table.

More info on Russian Billiards: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_pyramid
 
remember a russian pyramid table has sharp pockets and a pool table has rounded corners so is very different. They also cheat the pockets shooting hard because it enlarge the pockets a bit.
Also in a pyramid table you can't make a ball near the rail, if you watch some matches the players make almost only straight in shots. So i don't know if with your table you can recreate the nature of the russian pyramid game.
 
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This is true. I probably would not be able to recreate the nature of the russian pyramid game with a standard pool table. The best thing I could do is to (if I'm lucky) find a 2 1/4" Russian Ball set to play with on my 8ft table using Pyramid rules, but it would only be for the novelty of the all white pool balls and red cue really. Even then, I'd still love to find a set though. They'd be fun to play 8-Ball with since they're all the same color you really have to focus. Interesting...
 
Slh said:
remember a russian pyramid table has rounded pockets and a pool table has sharp corners so is very different. They also cheat the pockets shooting hard because it enlarge the pockets a bit.
Also in a pyramid table you can't make a ball near the rail, if you watch some matches the player make almost only straight in shots. So i don't know if with your table you can recreate the nature of the russian pyramid game.
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No real russian table have rounded pockets. Don't mix it up with snooker.
 
I do not think you are going to duplicate russian pyramid on a pool table. The ball size is much larger which requires a higher cushion to play correctly.
Pyramid is just totally different then a pool table. Pockets are not curved.
Photo below of one we just installed.
 

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This is like asking advice on how you can play 3 cushion on a Valley bar box. It's just not going to happen. If you want different challenges, look for different practice drills or even games like Cowboy ... that you can play with the equipment you have. If you want tighter pockets, have a mechanic make your pockets tighter ... I wonder if there are products you can temporarily put in your pockets to shim them super tight while practicing?

What you are asking is about the same as saying you have a single prop airplane and you are trying to figure out how to make a few changes to it so you can use it to launch yourself to Mars, hehe. :)
 
WFD said:
No real russian table have rounded pockets. Don't mix it up with snooker.
Click to expand...
ops i mixed up the sentence.. :D
the pockets of a pyramid table are sharp pointed and pool has rounded pockets
 
Get a few of the larger carom balls and knock them around and see how they feel. Then get one red and the rest whites and mark them with a majic marker.
 
Sailor, PM me if you need any help in regard with Russian Pyramid. I don't log in daily recently but in 2-3 days you could expect to get a reply. I looked through your thread and the recommendations given to you are correct, you should not be looking for 2 1/4 RP set, even it such thing exists. That's not the way the game will be played. The feel of the balls (yet pretty unnatural) will be different.
There are undersized tables for RP, but the least size you could play comfortably at is 10 ft. Anything smaller than that makes the game ridiculous.
 
Well I think my best bet is to play on an 8ft table using russian style billiard balls is to find a set in 2 1/4". We've pretty much established that I won't capture the essence of the sport really with my table. So basically what I want is a set of Russian Pyramid style billiard balls that are 2 1/4". Yes I know I could just play this sport with a standard billiard set in this case and save money but I'd still like to find a russian set just for kicks and pretty much just the novelty of playing with the different balls. Does anyone know where I can find one?
 
Vahmurka said:
Sailor, PM me if you need any help in regard with Russian Pyramid. I don't log in daily recently but in 2-3 days you could expect to get a reply. I looked through your thread and the recommendations given to you are correct, you should not be looking for 2 1/4 RP set, even it such thing exists. That's not the way the game will be played. The feel of the balls (yet pretty unnatural) will be different.
There are undersized tables for RP, but the least size you could play comfortably at is 10 ft. Anything smaller than that makes the game ridiculous.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you there! I would actually love to play the real thing with the correct size table and balls but odds are against me out here. I love discovering fascinating games from around the world.
 
blackflagsailor said:
Well I think my best bet is to play on an 8ft table using russian style billiard balls is to find a set in 2 1/4". We've pretty much established that I won't capture the essence of the sport really with my table. So basically what I want is a set of Russian Pyramid style billiard balls that are 2 1/4". Yes I know I could just play this sport with a standard billiard set in this case and save money but I'd still like to find a russian set just for kicks and pretty much just the novelty of playing with the different balls. Does anyone know where I can find one?
Click to expand...

DOes nobody have balls he can play with?!?!

C'mon! Am I the only one?!
 
scruffy1 said:
I do not think you are going to duplicate russian pyramid on a pool table. The ball size is much larger which requires a higher cushion to play correctly.
Pyramid is just totally different then a pool table. Pockets are not curved.
Photo below of one we just installed.
Click to expand...

Holy Mother of God...
About a week of those pockets and I would probably quit pool altogether.
 
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