Standard Pocket Sizes

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NickSerino

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Quick question for anyone who knows the answer.

What are the "standard" pocket sizes on the Diamond Pro, Pro-Am, Brunswick GC (any), Medalist, and Valley tables?

I read a lot of the posts on here and it seems that 4.5" pockets are generally viewed as a nice compromise between enjoyment and improvement but also curious how much the tables need to be changed/altered to get them to that size.

I am beginning to do research into what table I want to buy for my home and don't want to buy anything too difficult for other people to use/enjoy but at the same time still want to have something that would be similar to tournament conditions. I play in local tournaments on mostly GC's but also on the Valley bar boxes if I am in Vegas for league. I have been getting more familiar with Diamond tables and they are probably my favorite overall but not quite as common. I am leaning to getting a 9ft Diamond just not sure which one yet.

If there is any other information I forgot please let me know.
 
Pocket Size

This is a good question but it leads to a much bigger one: Why isn't pocket size standardized? Pool is only game/sport in which target/goal size can be changed at a whim. Think about it, every target/goal oriented game has standardized goal/target sizes; size of golf hole, basket size, upright width, hockey net, soccer goal etc. all have set dimensions. Pool needs to do the same.
 
NickSerino said:
Quick question for anyone who knows the answer.

What are the "standard" pocket sizes on the Diamond Pro, Pro-Am, Brunswick GC (any), Medalist, and Valley tables?

I read a lot of the posts on here and it seems that 4.5" pockets are generally viewed as a nice compromise between enjoyment and improvement but also curious how much the tables need to be changed/altered to get them to that size.

I am beginning to do research into what table I want to buy for my home and don't want to buy anything too difficult for other people to use/enjoy but at the same time still want to have something that would be similar to tournament conditions. I play in local tournaments on mostly GC's but also on the Valley bar boxes if I am in Vegas for league. I have been getting more familiar with Diamond tables and they are probably my favorite overall but not quite as common. I am leaning to getting a 9ft Diamond just not sure which one yet.

If there is any other information I forgot please let me know.
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The 9 foot Diamond will serve you well, I can assure you. I've had one for 6 years now and am still loving it.

As to pocket specs, there are more to making a difficult playing pocket than pocket opening. Slate shelf depth and pocket angle facings must be considered as well. Diamond has designed an excellent product which, IMO, plays challenging but fair, even at the pro level (again, only my opinion).

Diamond can make your pockets more generous or play tougher, just ask them. My advice is to try the standard diamond pro. You'll almost assuredly like it as is. If not, you can have it changed out later. My friend had the standard diamond pro and actually had the pockets changed to play easier later on down the road during a recloth. To each their own.

Best of luck,

JL
 
no 'standard' pocket size, sorry to say.

I would say with a high degree of certainty that there is far less deviation in pocket sizes found on Diamonds than on Brunswicks though.

If you can fit a 9' table in a manner that does not require short stick, go for it!

Oh- and if you need to buy used, be patient and have a pro mechanic do the KDMSU (knock down/ move/ setup). Worth every penny.
 
garczar said:
This is a good question but it leads to a much bigger one: Why isn't pocket size standardized? Pool is only game/sport in which target/goal size can be changed at a whim. Think about it, every target/goal oriented game has standardized goal/target sizes; size of golf hole, basket size, upright width, hockey net, soccer goal etc. all have set dimensions. Pool needs to do the same.
Click to expand...


Could not agree with you more.
 
I really don't know why this is important, but I got out an old pair of Levi's and measured the pocket with the little red tab on it. It measured...what? He was talking about pockets on a pool table?
My bad. Carry on. :smile:
 
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No, not all pockets are the same size. I was trying to sneak the 5 ball straight past the 9 on this shot. Perfect staight on shot hit with a fair amount of speed and the ball stopped dead.

There are tight pockets and then there's this beast. Most shots sent down the long rail will rattle. This changes the game a little too much IMO.
 
garczar said:
This is a good question but it leads to a much bigger one: Why isn't pocket size standardized? Pool is only game/sport in which target/goal size can be changed at a whim. Think about it, every target/goal oriented game has standardized goal/target sizes; size of golf hole, basket size, upright width, hockey net, soccer goal etc. all have set dimensions. Pool needs to do the same.
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While it's true the hole in golf is always the same size, it's in a different location every day. :D

I guess it sort of appeals to me that there may be some differences in the layout from room to room or tournament to tournament. Some buckets, some tight, some fast, some slow. Just like every golf course is different or baseball parks have different dimensions. It gives the game a little character and requires some skill to adjust to conditions.

Many complain about pockets varying by 1 inch yet you hear little about the fact that the tables themselves vary by 2-3 feet.

In any event, there are WPA regulations that allow a little bit of variation in pocket size, but let's face it: until pool has an organization that everyone looks to like golf has the USGA and R&A; or MLB/NFL/NBA/NHL etc. everyone is just doing their own thing.
 
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As a general rule, a Standard Size pocket is 5" inches and will accept 2 balls side by side into the pocket and drop, with no space between either ball and the cushion. A Pro Cut is 4 1/2 inches. If it were me I would go with the Diamond Pro Cut Pockets straight out the gate, they will be you up for awhile but your game will improve, when you play on larger pocktet tables away from home they will seem like buckets.

Black Cat :cool:
 
While I agree there is no real standard, there are official league specifications.
This is copied from the 2012 BCAPL Rules Book.
 

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oldschool1478 said:
While I agree there is no real standard, there are official league specifications.
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But what importance do the BCAPL regulations have to anything, really? First off, they have no relevance outside of the league, and frankly probably have little relevance inside the league itself. There are league chapters all over the country playing on "illegal" equipment and no one cares. Leagues are played at whatever bar or pool hall the LO can make a deal with and no one is checking to make sure the equipment meets specs.
 
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We visited our local pool hall tonight for the first time since having our own table installed.
We have a Rasson Ox 8ft, hall has Rasson OX 9ft. Pics are of the pockets on the 2 tables.

Blue cloth is our home table, grey cloth the club table.

Embarrassing night for both my son and I as we were missing loads of shots we usually pot with ease at home.
 

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spatlese44 said:
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No, not all pockets are the same size. I was trying to sneak the 5 ball straight past the 9 on this shot. Perfect staight on shot hit with a fair amount of speed and the ball stopped dead.

There are tight pockets and then there's this beast. Most shots sent down the long rail will rattle. This changes the game a little too much IMO.
Click to expand...
My how times have changed…..
 
ScottC25 said:
We visited our local pool hall tonight for the first time since having our own table installed.
We have a Rasson Ox 8ft, hall has Rasson OX 9ft. Pics are of the pockets on the 2 tables.

Blue cloth is our home table, grey cloth the club table.

Embarrassing night for both my son and I as we were missing loads of shots we usually pot with ease at home.
Click to expand...
The game has been bastardized over the past 20 years. The pool halls have gone from having mostly 4.75" to 5" pockets for decades, and only 1 or 2 action tables with tighter pockets..... To today where most rooms are filled with Pro-Cut Diamonds (4.5") with a mile deep slate as every table, and a few even with 4 1/8" pockets.

The wind up is about 99% of the players that want these tight ass tables can't run a rack to save their lives.
 
ScottC25 said:
We visited our local pool hall tonight for the first time since having our own table installed.
We have a Rasson Ox 8ft, hall has Rasson OX 9ft. Pics are of the pockets on the 2 tables.

Blue cloth is our home table, grey cloth the club table.

Embarrassing night for both my son and I as we were missing loads of shots we usually pot with ease at home.
Click to expand...
Now you know to work on shooting a ball along its own swath.
 
mikemosconi said:
Pro cut 4 1/2 inch Pockets are too tight for casual players to enjoy - end of story-,you should compromise at 4 3/4 inch to satisfy you and all of your guests - my 2 cents and 50 years of various table ownerships.
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Where is the measurement taken from to determine pocket sizes?

Is it the outer corners at the opening?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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