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

[JCIN]

If it were an option I'd go back to the old rails, assuming that was the difference between the six packs we saw before and last weekend's performance.

But I saw you're not fooling with pocket geometry and such so I went with 4½.

...it's still tighter than what you find in most pool halls, and will let the players relax a little bit and get into their highest gear instead of playing worry-worry-worry all the time.

A pro in his highest gear is a beautiful thing. As long as the races are long enough, the cream will still rise to the top. You don't need special built custom equipment to define who's a good pool player and who's not.

I dont really believe the difference in Shane running a seven and not is one mitre degree. I dont know tables as well as some but I know that guy pretty good. When Shane has played bad it was because he wasnt confident. Usually because his break wasnt working not because he was missing balls.

I have a theory that has proven itself enough times that I give it some weight and that is: guys tend to play to the level of their competition. Shane and Alex get up there and play lights out against each other. Shane and Dennis had the most amazing 8 ball set I have ever seen. This past weekend both guys struggled....and both continued to struggle. All on the same size pockets. I chalk it up to the fact that at the elite level the game is 90% mental.

I could be wrong but I dont think I am.

 

[Maniac]

Justin, it seems so far that your poll is not helping in your decision-making as it is running close to 50-50.

My personal opinion is that if I want to watch two poolplayers miss a lot and NOT run racks, heck I can just go down to the local bar/poolhall and watch THAT!!!

Let the "stars" shine by giving them equipment which they can do so on.

Maniac

 

[jalapus logan]

This is too easy with BIH behind the headstring. Thousands of players in the USA could do it easily.

Whoops, true. You fellas know whatI meant.

Seriously though, pattern play is what captures many folks' imagination, not shot making. I can appreciate excellent shot execution on a difficult straight in, especially when you have to draw your rock back up table or something like that. BUT, it is not exactly a creative shot. In fact, the shot came with a road map. It is the ability of a player to read the rack, use creativity and skill to break out clusters, etc. that make the game great to watch, imo.

 

[Big Chris]

Here's my thoughts. I hope they count. I buy every TAR even if I can't watch them. I feel its a way of supporting. But with the stonger players keep them tight. With the weeker players loosen them up. There is no disrespect intended. Some matches were harder to watch then others do to the pockets. Also keep JJ in the booth.

 

[dannylee]

I'll play. I think 4.25" pockets on a Diamond table is the best of both worlds; challenging table, but loose enough for top players to play rotation games, without going into "tough table stroke".

In the absence of the 4.25" choice, I went with 4.5".


Eric

I agree with 4.25" - This would allow more of a chance of "packages" - which IMO would benefit the viewing audience with more excitement. 4.50" would be a little too easy for the talent that you guys have been accustomed to having in the matches.

chat name > sujittraiam

 

[Maniac]

<----realizes he has just killed his own thread by posting the first picture. standing by for song links and dog photos.

Those people aren't posting much on here lately.

Maniac

 

[JCIN]

I like 4.25, I think that size would be perfect.

I just dont believe 0.125 makes that big of a difference. Thats the width of the front sight on my Glock pistols.

 

[Cornerman]

Justin, it seems so far that your poll is not helping in your decision-making as it is running close to 50-50.

I would say this helps his actually his decision making.

Freddie <~~~ that no matter what, half the people are going to b*tch

 

[dannylee]

I disagree.

Without customers there are no TAR matches. Thus no chance for a player to even have an opinion on the conditions. With more customers they play for more money. Players like money more than they like having every little detail the way they want it. Also what they say they want and what they really mean are not always the same thing.

I dont really want to get into a debate over customers vs players opinions as frankly I already know how much weight I give to each and no one is going to change my mind. Just looking for feedback from customers on what they want to see in the future.

I concur. I am glad you finally brought this up, I had been thinking about voicing my opinion on this topic.

I can honestly say that the early TAR matches have been more exciting to watch. Granted they were mostly done in action rooms or what have you but the pockets were not super tight like now. This made it much more exciting to watch because when you see a player put together like 4-5 BnR's it much more exciting that watching the balls bobble out of the pockets cause they were tight.

Tight pockets definately has it uses, but for PPV streaming I think it dulls out the excitement.

 

[cardiac kid]

I just dont believe 0.125 makes that big of a difference. Thats the width of the front sight on a Glock pistol.

Last time I watched, both players were on the same table. If one plays better on tight pockets, oh well. At the level of play you present, the best should be able to adjust. Nothing in life is perfect. Expecting two pool players not to miss under pressure is an impossibilty. Keep it the same.

Lyn

 

[sjm]

Another vote for 4 1/2", as tough as the typical tournament but not so tough as to make the players look a bit too ordinary. Tight pockets may command greater pocketing skills, but there's a point at which they dissuade players from playing the ordinary stroke, shot, or speed for a given situation. Such changes can make a match less educational.

However TAR proceeds, however, TAR is a credit to the game of pool.

 

[Ktown D]

I just dont believe 0.125 makes that big of a difference. Thats the width of the front sight on my Glock pistols.

I agree.

I voted for 4.5 inch and increase the races to 30. That will give guys chances to put packages together and the sets will go as fast or maybe faster due to the lack of safety play.

This may be a dreamworld scenario but....I think you should keep this rail setup complete and stored because if and when you get some 1P action those rails are great.

 

[easy-e]

I would say this helps his actually his decision making.

Freddie <~~~ that no matter what, half the people are going to b*tch

Nice catch, Fred! Now Justin can comfortably go in whichever direction HE chooses! Unless the half that voted for bigger pockets don't buy the matches, then they just screwed everything up.

 

[Ktown D]

Freddie <~~~ that no matter what, half the people are going to b*tch

Amen.....LOL

 

[easy-e]

I agree.

I voted for 4.5 inch and increase the races to 30. That will give guys chances to put packages together and the sets will go as fast or maybe faster due to the lack of safety play.

This may be a dreamworld scenario but....I think you should keep this rail setup complete and stored because if and when you get some 1P action those rails are great.

Damn I love your avatar!

 

[JCIN]

Justin, it seems so far that your poll is not helping in your decision-making as it is running close to 50-50.

My personal opinion is that if I want to watch two poolplayers miss a lot and NOT run racks, heck I can just go down to the local bar/poolhall and watch THAT!!!

Let the "stars" shine by giving them equipment which they can do so on.

Maniac

I gotta say I am leaning that way. At least to try it and see but I am going to let this run its course till it jumps the shark and see how it works out. IMO there are great points made for each case. Its really nice to see people care about it all one way or the other.

I have been debating it with myself for a long time. Every time I think I make a decision I convince myself to look at it from the other side again.

 

[Matt]

I dont really believe the difference in Shane running a seven and not is one mitre degree. I dont know tables as well as some but I know that guy pretty good. When Shane has played bad it was because he wasnt confident. Usually because his break wasnt working not because he was missing balls.

I have a theory that has proven itself enough times that I give it some weight and that is: guys tend to play to the level of their competition. Shane and Alex get up there and play lights out against each other. Shane and Dennis had the most amazing 8 ball set I have ever seen. This past weekend both guys struggled....and both continued to struggle. All on the same size pockets. I chalk it up to the fact that at the elite level the game is 90% mental.

I could be wrong but I dont think I am.

I think this is all the more reason to go with a "standard" pocket size. The matches will still be defined by the incredible shots, unexpected mistakes, and mental challenges. The difference will be that the players and fans won't have to take into account the abnormal pockets when playing or analyzing the match.

Honestly, I enjoy watching the pros occasionally miss shots they should make. When they are playing on tight pockets, I don't get to savor the misses as much since they have somewhat of an excuse.

 

[jhanso18]

Could you set up a Poll on the TAR web site that makes you log in to vote? Maybe even show proof you've purchased something before you can vote?

 

[JCIN]

Could you set up a Poll on the TAR web site that makes you log in to vote? Maybe even show proof you've purchased something before you can vote?

I'm lucky I can embed a Ustream viewer. My web skills are equal to that of your average house cat.

 

[jhanso18]

I'm lucky I can embed a Ustream viewer. My web skills are equal to that of your average house cat.

Well my skill level is to the left.
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Time to have Glen invent a quick change rail system. PAGING THE COBRA!!!