Table Too Tough?

pocket

pocket

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I recently measured my table and had the measurements entered into Dr. Dave's table difficulty chart.

It rates as a pretty tough table, and having played more than a few games on it I completely agree lol.

The question is when is tough too tough?

There are times I go out to practice, and five minutes in am so frustrated I just break down my stick and go back inside. Yet at the same time I realize that if I can get decent on this table it will help me play on any table I'm faced with.

What do you think?
 
pocket said:
I recently measured my table and had the measurements entered into Dr. Dave's table difficulty chart.

It rates as a pretty tough table, and having played more than a few games on it I completely agree lol.

The question is when is tough too tough?

There are times I go out to practice, and five minutes in am so frustrated I just break down my stick and go back inside. Yet at the same time I realize that if I can get decent on this table it will help me play on any table I'm faced with.

What do you think?
Click to expand...

What brand & size table...& how 'small' are the pockets?

Inquiring minds want to know.:wink:

Best 2 You,
Rick
 
ENGLISH! said:
What brand & size table...& how 'small' are the pockets?

Inquiring minds want to know.:wink:

Best 2 You,
Rick
Click to expand...

Rick,

Here are the measurements:

9'
4 3/16" Mouth (corner pocket, point to point measurement)
3 3/4" Throat (back of the pocket measurement)
1 7/8" Shelf (from the line created by the point to point to where the pocket begins)

I cannot find any branding on the table. The gentleman I purchased it from said that he was a professional player who had the table adjusted to be difficult so that he could prepare for tournament play.
 
pocket said:
Rick,

Here are the measurements:

9'
4 3/16" Mouth (corner pocket, point to point measurement)
3 3/4" Throat (back of the pocket measurement)
1 7/8" Shelf (from the line created by the point to point to where the pocket begins)

I cannot find any branding on the table. The gentleman I purchased it from said that he was a professional player who had the table adjusted to be difficult so that he could prepare for tournament play.
Click to expand...

The reason I asked is that some Olhausen tables were tough even for some of the pros & I think it had to do with the angle that the corner pockets were cut.

By that I mean the center line was not 'aimed' at the center of the side pocket but 'turned' a bit more toward the same short rail as the pocket. Hence shots along the long direction were tougher than shots from along the short direction.

I don't go around measuring pockets but your throat seems a bit tight & the shelf deep.

To answer your question, IMO if a table is too tight it can slowly destroy one's subconscious confidence. One 'needs' to see balls going in especially if well struck. Conversely, if a table has buckets for pockets then one can get a sense of false confidence.

I don't know your skill level but it sounds like that table is kicking your butt & you're not enjoying it.

It might not be too difficult to have the shelves cut more forward. Just a thought.

I hope you find a solution & a way to have some fun while getting better.

As in most all things balance is usually best.

Best 2 You,
Rick
 
ENGLISH! said:
...
As in most all things balance is usually best.

Best 2 You,
Rick
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time.

I agree, I think I need to have it dialed back (when I can afford to do so). One of the issues I have with assessing the table is how to differentiate my ability versus the table difficulty.

That is why I ask. Trying to determine weather it is my or the hardware. Likely a combination of both.
 
pocket said:
Thanks for taking the time.

I agree, I think I need to have it dialed back (when I can afford to do so). One of the issues I have with assessing the table is how to differentiate my ability versus the table difficulty.

That is why I ask. Trying to determine weather it is my or the hardware. Likely a combination of both.
Click to expand...

If one wants to test themselves one can always simply shoot long shots but instead of into a pocket cut the OBs at another ball on the center diamond of the short rail & try to hit it full in the face.

When playing on many if not most tables I will shade to the long rail side for many shots because balls can go in hitting the rail but they can not go in if they miss the pocket on the other side. That has sort of become subconscious after playing for more than 4.5 decades.

I sometimes play on a Diamond table with what has slightly less what 4" pockets, probably 3 & 15/16" or maybe even 7/8.

The way the pockets are cut the ball will not go hitting the rail first. In fact, Rolling a hair more than 1/4"off & rolling parallel to the long rail the ball may not go.

So...when playing on that table I have to remember to over ride my subconscious & not shade the rail side but make sure to target only the pocket opening.

You may need to do the same thing. You may need to start aiming small...& miss small.

Good Luck & Best 2 You,
Rick
 
Snooker tables are super tough. I bet if you played on a snooker table for a hour and then try your table at home it would see a lot easier.
 
I have mentioned this many times that a tough table is contrary to pool popularity growth. Only someone for example would have in his home a diamond table with tight pockets unless if he she wanted to be a Pro. Pool is an easy game that can be made intolerably difficult. When it should be enjoyable for all. Put it this way a pool room with tight tables will soon be looking for storage.
 
pocket said:
I recently measured my table and had the measurements entered into Dr. Dave's table difficulty chart.

It rates as a pretty tough table, and having played more than a few games on it I completely agree lol.

The question is when is tough too tough?

There are times I go out to practice, and five minutes in am so frustrated I just break down my stick and go back inside. Yet at the same time I realize that if I can get decent on this table it will help me play on any table I'm faced with.

What do you think?
Click to expand...

Mine has tough pockets also. It has helped me greatly. It will teach you to not take any shot for granted, but to take the time to accurately aim it. Position play doesn't change near as much as some like to think it does.

If you are just after having a fun time, have large pockets. If you want something that will make you more accurate and punish you when you get sloppy, have tight pockets.
 
Your home table should be tough and tight (pocket wise)
This makes the tables you find elsewhere significantly easier.
 
ENGLISH! said:
If one wants to test themselves one can always simply shoot long shots but instead of into a pocket cut the OBs at another ball on the center diamond of the short rail & try to hit it full in the face.

When playing on many if not most tables I will shade to the long rail side for many shots because balls can go in hitting the rail but they can not go in if they miss the pocket on the other side. That has sort of become subconscious after playing for more than 4.5 decades.

I sometimes play on a Diamond table with what has slightly less what 4" pockets, probably 3 & 15/16" or maybe even 7/8.

The way the pockets are cut the ball will not go hitting the rail first. In fact, Rolling a hair more than 1/4"off & rolling parallel to the long rail the ball may not go.

So...when playing on that table I have to remember to over ride my subconscious & not shade the rail side but make sure to target only the pocket opening.

You may need to do the same thing. You may need to start aiming small...& miss small.

Good Luck & Best 2 You,
Rick
Click to expand...

I absolutely concur with this assessment. I recently had my rails rebuilt with 4 1/4" corner pockets 4 3/4" sides, and it plays tough. The TDF on Dr. Dave's thread is 1.08. But my aim was to get better and more consistent. After practicing on the table for two and a half months, I can definitely say I have improved. Also my victories in drills or against the ghost on such a table gives me a boost in confidence.

The game is most fun when your skill level becomes elevated and more options in shot selection become possible. If I am out of line our do not execute a shot properly, it's more likely I won't get rewarded on this table and that keeps me honest in my assessment of myself.

Had I put time in on an easier table, let's say with a TDF of less than 1, I know I could become complacent.

My advice to the op is to stick with the tough table but do more simple drills, maybe closer to the pockets and build out from there. The rewards are much greater than you might realize.
 
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