Should the TAR table stay as is or go to standard pockets? You choose.

What size pockets should be on the TAR Table?

  • Keep the 4 1/8" pockets.

    Votes: 236 46.5%

  • Switch to standard Diamond 4 1/2" pockets.

    Votes: 271 53.5%
  • Total voters
    507
Not sure if this has already been discussed.

Could the fact they are playing 10 ball be more of a factor than the pocket size that there are less packages on the current TAR table?

Also a quick suggestion to Justin for the next all around. Instead of picking the games prior to the stream, maybe you could make a cheap wheel that you or someone could spin at the beginning of each night before the match starts. The wheel could have

10ball (race to 25)
14.1 (race to 150)
1hole (race to 7)
8ball (race to 15)
9ball banks (race to 11?)

It could create a level of suspense.
 
There are unintended consequences of shrinking the size of the pocket and you can be the judge of the impact:

1. Players elect to play more safeties than go for the exciting shot.
2. Players tend to play slower as a result of trying to be more deliberate.

Pocket size is game altering. I guess it would be up to TAR to figure out which would be more entertaining. If I am not mistaken, their goal is viewership.
 
Maybe in between...............

I don't mean to be a horse's ass but maybe the pockets could be 4 1/4" or 4 3/8".

I would opt for something a little tighter than 4 1/2" for the pros but don't care to see the easy misses that occur on 4 1/8" pockets.

However, if I had to pick 4 1/8 or 4 1/2, it would be 4 1/2.

On the other hand, I'm not sure which I would like to see 4 1/4" or 4 3/8".

4 1/8" pockets seem to take away some of the great shots that we all love to see. There's nothing like seeing a player hammer in a shot and go 4 or 5 rails with the cue ball. With 4 1/8" pockets you don't see a lot of hammering.

I guess I want to see the players utilize all of the shots in their arsenal. It makes the game more exciting to see the whole show.

I really don't want them to be able to hit 15" up the long rail and still wobble the object ball in the corner pocket. On new cloth that can happen with 4 1/2" pockets.
 
I think there should be another poll...

How many of those who have voted in and responded to this thread have actually watched more than 1 TAR match...
 
I like the idea of going back to standard Diamond pockest for only one reason.

The biggest packages in settings like this in my opinion are records. Every so often A-Z rehashes the Strickland/Million dollar challange. Imagine if TAR had recorded it...

Longer races like these TAR mathces are the perfect opportunity for a record to be set.

Just my take on things.
 
JCIN said:
There has been some discussion about the TAR table being too tight. So lets see what the majority has to say. Personally I see both sides so I am interested to see where the numbers are. Please vote in the poll.

I would ask that you please only vote if you have watched a match on the TAR Studio table. There are plenty of threads debating the merits of tight or not. I am just looking for some feedback on what customers want to see.
Click to expand...

I have purchased matches and I think it is "nice?' to see pros miss in a while. I play on the 4 1/2 inch pockets, pros should play on something a little more difficult.

JMO, of course.
 
I enjoy watching the pros play on a table that is tight enough to force them to think about what the right shot is. 4.5" pockets are just too loose, all they do is run out over and over again. I want to know who the most skilled player is, not who can get lucky and see the 1 ball after the break. Safety battles, and great kick shots make pool a beautiful game to watch. Please don't change the pockets to standard size. Thanks
 
Well, I watched a bunch of DCC matches with top pros and saw A BUNCH of misses from top players on standard diamond pockets. I watched John B, Dechaine, SVB, Busti, Alex, Putnam, Orcullo and the rest of the usual suspects and they all missed on this equipment. The most racks in a row I personally witnessed during the tourney was a couple of 3 packs (granted, I only tuned in yesterday and the weekend before. This confirmed to me at least that this equipment is plenty challenging for anyone. All my opinion of course though.

Cheers,

JL
 
jalapus logan said:
Well, I watched a bunch of DCC matches with top pros and saw A BUNCH of misses from top players on standard diamond pockets. I watched John B, Dechaine, SVB, Busti, Alex, Putnam, Orcullo and the rest of the usual suspects and they all missed. This confirmed to me at least that this equipment is plenty challenging for anyone.
Click to expand...

After watching lots of matches on the IP stream I'm convinced that the 10' table with normal 4 1/2" pockets is the direction pro pool should go. Plenty of extra challenge, but still having pockets that accept well-hit balls.

I think Justin should auction off the infamous TAR table and use the proceeds to help buy a brand new Diamond 10 footer. :cool:
 
jalapus logan said:
Well, I watched a bunch of DCC matches with top pros and saw A BUNCH of misses from top players on standard diamond pockets. I watched John B, Dechaine, SVB, Busti, Alex, Putnam, Orcullo and the rest of the usual suspects and they all missed on this equipment. The most racks in a row I personally witnessed during the tourney was a couple of 3 packs (granted, I only tuned in yesterday and the weekend before. This confirmed to me at least that this equipment is plenty challenging for anyone. All my opinion of course though.

Cheers,

JL
Click to expand...

I agree. I'm from the same camp that you are. I want realistic, tournament conditions. YMMV
 
Sloppy Pockets said:
After watching lots of matches on the IP stream I'm convinced that the 10' table with normal 4 1/2" pockets is the direction pro pool should go. Plenty of extra challenge, but still having pockets that accept well-hit balls.

I think Justin should auction off the infamous TAR table and use the proceeds to help buy a brand new Diamond 10 footer. :cool:
Click to expand...

After having witnessed first hand in person action on the Diamond 10 footer, I have to say that I am ambivalent about the 10 foot vs 9 foot issue. As a spectator, it neither added nor subtracted from my enjoyment of the match. I laughed when he said it, but Eric Durbin quipped that it's still pool, just with an extra foot. I guess I would have to agree with that ha ha. If pool is going to go the 10 foot route, then fine by me despite what I think are serious spacial constraints at pool rooms and tourney venues which will make using these larger tables likely unrealistic logistically.

Then again, that last beer just convinced me that it doesn't really it really doesn't matter, so long as the table has six pockets (sorry to Earl and 3 cushion players). :smile:
 
Ky Boy said:
I think there should be another poll...

How many of those who have voted in and responded to this thread have actually watched more than 1 TAR match...
Click to expand...

Good question, I purchased and watched quite afew of them. Not all of them as sometimes the two players simply did not interest me and after TAR went and did some 8-ball my interest peaked and then they cut off the 8-ball for whatever reason and my interest fell off a cliff.

The best of TAR for me was the 8-ball and I loved the Schmidt vs Corey and the Orcullo vs SVB. The thing is though, the TAR table was by no means "too tough" for that game, if anything SVB and Orcullo proved the opposite and that 8-ball truly needs a 10-foot table with Fatboy rails (not TAR rails, Fatboy rails with the proper miter angle that does not spit out a properly hit ball along the rail).

With the move to a 4.5 inch normal cut Diamond TAR 8-ball is officially dead as in no way can a regulation 9-foot Diamond properly showcase the game. The TAR Diamond was a little too easy for two of who might be the best players on the planet, a regulation 9-foot is a joke to anyone who can actually be described as a "pro" pool player.

The curious thing to me is that 8-ball seemed to get alot of discussion going, TAR sold PPV's of the matches after the fact and as far as the threads went some people bought those to view. Then 8-ball was dropped and now the table is gimped so that you cannot even show proper 8-ball.

With the popularity of the DCC 10-foot tourney, the discussion of 8-ball and the seemingly high level of interest in that game I am kind of perplexed as to why TAR has not tried to do a 10-foot 8-ball PPV, where the whole weekend is 8-ball.

Maybe 8-ball for all the chat simply did not sell well, I would be surprised if Orcullo vs SVB 8-ball was really that low, but who knows other then JCIN.

Sadly enough with a regulation table and the removal of 8-ball as a viable option due to the equipment I am likely out. I was ok watching the odd 10-ball match on the tough equipment, I really liked watching 8-ball on it, but I have no interest in watching 10-ball played on a regulation Diamond.
 
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ChrisBanks said:
Are you kidding? You're out of line there. There are thousands of players just in the USA that can run 6 racks consistently on a valley table.
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completely agree. actually any bar table with regular balls and cue ball is like a tonka toy to even top amateurs!
 
Table need to stay as is

I won't get into a lot of hoopla about the why's and why not's.

I think the table should be left as is.
 
I like the 4 1/8th pockets.

I'm curious also how many people have paid their hard earned money to TAR to deserve a vote.
 
D_Lewis said:
I like the 4 1/8th pockets.

I'm curious also how many people have paid their hard earned money to TAR to deserve a vote.
Click to expand...

The OP only states that you should have WATCHED a TAR match before voting, he did not specify that you must have PAID for one.

Maniac
 
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