table markings, etc

[wigglybridge]

i was watching a few videos of DCC straight pool the other day, and a couple of things occurred to me:

(1) at least twice in a John Schmidt game, and and least once in a Neils game, the cue ball came to rest near the foot spot... and then obviously rolled off the edge of it at some goofy angle. in all 3 cases, the stack was only partially open, so it made a Huge difference in whether they could see a shot or not. given how much most of us get annoyed over small grits of chalk on the table, it seems preposterous in this day and age to have spots which give such crazy rolls, especially for pro events.

(2) why aren't all tables marked with a triangle outline and string all the time? i for one will confess to not always getting the rack perfectly square with the rails or perfect on the spot, and am often guessing at where to spot balls in a messy stack.

(3) slightly unrelated newbie q: what are the benefits of drop pockets that they are still used, and again even in finals of pro events?

 

[AtLarge]

(1) ... it seems preposterous in this day and age to have spots which give such crazy rolls, especially for pro events. ...

If the table were being used only for 14.1, I'd agree with you and would prefer some sort of ink-marked foot spot. But when games with forceful breaking are being played on the same table, a spot helps to prevent a significant divot from forming under the head ball.

(2) why aren't all tables marked with a triangle outline and string all the time? ...

Triangles vary in size. If only one triangle is used on a given table, then marking it is fine. If the table is being used for a 14.1 tournament, the rack should always be traced. You should also be aware that it is not necessary to trace the entire rack on the table to assure that the rack is always properly placed. A couple of properly placed marks on the rack and on the table work fine. I, too, like to have the string drawn on the table for proper spotting of balls.

(3) slightly unrelated newbie q: what are the benefits of drop pockets that they are still used, and again even in finals of pro events?

Ball returns add to the cost of a table. Balls sometimes get stuck in ball returns. Some ball returns are noisy. Some people just prefer drop pockets.

 

[cuesmith]

i was watching a few videos of DCC straight pool the other day, and a couple of things occurred to me:

(1) at least twice in a John Schmidt game, and and least once in a Neils game, the cue ball came to rest near the foot spot... and then obviously rolled off the edge of it at some goofy angle. in all 3 cases, the stack was only partially open, so it made a Huge difference in whether they could see a shot or not. given how much most of us get annoyed over small grits of chalk on the table, it seems preposterous in this day and age to have spots which give such crazy rolls, especially for pro events.

(2) why aren't all tables marked with a triangle outline and string all the time? i for one will confess to not always getting the rack perfectly square with the rails or perfect on the spot, and am often guessing at where to spot balls in a messy stack.

(3) slightly unrelated newbie q: what are the benefits of drop pockets that they are still used, and again even in finals of pro events?

As far as marking the tables, having been in the table service business for many years, I've found that quite often a table cloth needs to be re-stretched at some point before it's worn out, to get it playing better. If you mark the table, it's impossible to re-stretch the cloth and make it look right. If you are the type who'd rather replace the cloth than re-stretch it, then by all means mark the table.