The secret to good pool...

the420trooper

the420trooper

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The last 3 times I've played, I've played a step above my normal game. I live in a small town, where barbox 8-ball is the only thing available.

The last 3 times I've played, I've had a B&R percentage of over 50%.

My opponent has been a strong player every time, but I've been winning by a good margin. My last 3 sets have gone 10-2, 8-1, and 8-4.(My high run is only 4 racks) I've broken and ran most of those games, and I think I've hit that next level.

I used to have a bias against box 8-ball, until I played a lot on the barbox. I thought it was an easier game, but the CB control necessary for box 8 just doesn't transfer to a 9ft. It's harder to run out on a 7ft, imo.

I think I've been playing the best pool of my life, and when you realize that the small table doesn't mean you have an easy game, you tend to focus harder, and control whitey better.

Box 8 is tough, but if you're in stroke, you can make a capable opponent look like an idiot. I have been lately.

What do you guys think about the difficulty difference between Boxes and 9footers?

Is it about the same, or is one easier than the others?
 
apples and oranges...

Playing on a barbox is different, not necessarily easier. I remember hearing all the guys from the poolroom saying they would cleanup on a barbox. Surprise! They had no idea how different and tough it was, due to the lack of space on the box. Playing well on a barbox means you need to be able to negotiate clusters better because they are much more frequent.
 
It is a fact that it is easier to pocket balls on a barbox. The shots are shorter and most barboxes pockets are forgiving. I am not a huge fan of playing on barboxes because I think it is too easy. Some racks are fun because of the tight position play and tough outs but also there are racks that just open up and I can't help but giggle because its so simple. The luck of the break IMO is a huge factor in barbox games. Rack your own is a must.

I actually lost in a bar box 9ball tournament this past weekend and all I did wrong the entire set was break perfectly.......... :sorry:

The thing I hate the most about playing on a box is you rarely need to actually STROKE a ball. And even when you do your shooting at a giant forgiving pocket. Jump up on a tight nine footer with old felt and run out, that takes some skills.
 
to get the same tight traffic on a 9 footer...

you need 25 balls.....


on a 9 foot the side pockets are larger than the corners...

on a 7 foot they are smaller and less forgiving...

just something to keep in mind
 
depends on what game your playing.8 ball on a barbox is hard, 9 ball on a 9 footer is hard. Switch those games and its easier. I can run a rack of 8 easier on 9 then on a barbox, its too wide open and if you control whitey you dont have to take table length shots. whereas 9 ball on a barbox is easy cause you can go up and down the table all you want not much of a stroke neccasary. u gotta play precise presicion for barbox 8. same number of balls and alot less room to move. Shane van boning was asked what game was hardest he said barbox 8
 
I rack balls said:
It is a fact that it is easier to pocket balls on a barbox. The shots are shorter and most barboxes pockets are forgiving. I am not a huge fan of playing on barboxes because I think it is too easy. Some racks are fun because of the tight position play and tough outs but also there are racks that just open up and I can't help but giggle because its so simple. The luck of the break IMO is a huge factor in barbox games. Rack your own is a must.

I actually lost in a bar box 9ball tournament this past weekend and all I did wrong the entire set was break perfectly.......... :sorry:

The thing I hate the most about playing on a box is you rarely need to actually STROKE a ball. And even when you do your shooting at a giant forgiving pocket. Jump up on a tight nine footer with old felt and run out, that takes some skills.
Click to expand...

Well, I know a little about your game and must say that I think your opinion is a bit biased. But, so is mine. I used to love the bar box, but now at the risk of sounding arrogant, they just don't seem challenging like they did when I was younger.

IMO, when we used the big rock and before Simonis etc. the game was more cahllenging. Now, one breaks, scratches, ballss stay down, ball in handetc. The game has been cheapened considerably. The spot shot is gone and now the game on both tables is a bit of a slop fest. Stroke and shooting skills are being taken out of the game in order to speed it up. Table vendors love it and so does ESPN. It allows ESPN to get us out of the way more auickly and that is about it.

That said though, it is what it is and it ain't going back to what it was.
 
Ralph Kramden said:
The hardest table to play on?.... It's the one you're playing on.
Click to expand...

True enough.
Fats was playing a kid in Chicago years ago and suddenly the kid quit.

Fats asked," what's the problem?"
The kid says, " I quit, the pockets are too big."
Fat's replies, "WEll just raise the bet, they'll get tighter."
 
ironman said:
Well, I know a little about your game and must say that I think your opinion is a bit biased. But, so is mine. I used to love the bar box, but now at the risk of sounding arrogant, they just don't seem challenging like they did when I was younger.

IMO, when we used the big rock and before Simonis etc. the game was more cahllenging. Now, one breaks, scratches, ballss stay down, ball in handetc. The game has been cheapened considerably. The spot shot is gone and now the game on both tables is a bit of a slop fest. Stroke and shooting skills are being taken out of the game in order to speed it up. Table vendors love it and so does ESPN. It allows ESPN to get us out of the way more auickly and that is about it.

That said though, it is what it is and it ain't going back to what it was.
Click to expand...
the good ole days are gone, yes they changed the game to speed it up for t.v. #1 barbox; just get where you can see the next shot. #2 9ft. you better play position. my barpool improved after i learned that lesson.
 
Changed

One company has changed "bar box" pool forever!!

Diamond Billiard Products!

7ft Table, 4.5" pro cut pockets, Simonis 860, Super Aramith Pro ball with Red Circle cue ball!! Whoa.......different game.

One thing that I didn't realize until I played it both ways was how different the depth of the shelf makes a table play! The new Diamond Bar Boxes don't have as deep of shelf. This makes them a little easier to pocket balls. Some earlier version with deep shelves were very unforgiving!!

I'm raffling off a new one right now in the raffle section!! $49. Delivered!

Ray
 
Bigtruck said:
One company has changed "bar box" pool forever!!

Diamond Billiard Products!

7ft Table, 4.5" pro cut pockets, Simonis 860, Super Aramith Pro ball with Red Circle cue ball!! Whoa.......different game.

One thing that I didn't realize until I played it both ways was how different the depth of the shelf makes a table play! The new Diamond Bar Boxes don't have as deep of shelf. This makes them a little easier to pocket balls. Some earlier version with deep shelves were very unforgiving!!

I'm raffling off a new one right now in the raffle section!! $49. Delivered!

Ray
Click to expand...

It is tighter than the Vallleys, but nothing like playing on the old Fischers with the big ball. That separated em in a hurry.
 
androd said:
the good ole days are gone, yes they changed the game to speed it up for t.v. #1 barbox; just get where you can see the next shot. #2 9ft. you better play position. my barpool improved after i learned that lesson.
Click to expand...

TV was a big part of the reason. A lot of it was so those lazy assed TD's could sleep later and then get home quicker.

Like you say though, the good ole days are long gone and pool will not be the same.
 
the420trooper said:
The last 3 times I've played, I've played a step above my normal game. I live in a small town, where barbox 8-ball is the only thing available.

The last 3 times I've played, I've had a B&R percentage of over 50%.

My opponent has been a strong player every time, but I've been winning by a good margin. My last 3 sets have gone 10-2, 8-1, and 8-4.(My high run is only 4 racks) I've broken and ran most of those games, and I think I've hit that next level.

I used to have a bias against box 8-ball, until I played a lot on the barbox. I thought it was an easier game, but the CB control necessary for box 8 just doesn't transfer to a 9ft. It's harder to run out on a 7ft, imo.

I think I've been playing the best pool of my life, and when you realize that the small table doesn't mean you have an easy game, you tend to focus harder, and control whitey better.

Box 8 is tough, but if you're in stroke, you can make a capable opponent look like an idiot. I have been lately.

What do you guys think about the difficulty difference between Boxes and 9footers?

Is it about the same, or is one easier than the others?
Click to expand...

Do you think you could have a B & R percentage over 50% on a nine footer. Not Likely. That should answer your question. John
 
Hmmmm....how come you never hear someone say he plays great on a 9' but sure can't play the box.

You hear all the time of someone who can play the box great but can't play a 9' at all.

Intersting....Keith and David were the two best box players around back in the day....why were they not considered the best 9' players back in the day.

Its harder that is why
 
I think it all depends on what 9' compared to what bar box. For example if you put the same cloth, same table, same size pockets, the bar box is obviously easier.

But if you play on a 9' with big pockets and a diamond bar box, the 9' is most likely easier.
 
Thanks for the replies, of course I know 9ft pool is a more demanding game. I just thought I'd throw something out for discussion.

Barbox 9ball is a piece of cake, and big table 8ball is much easier than its short table counterpart. I'm just saying I've finally realized each has their own merits.
 
Remove rails!

metallicane said:
So the secret is to play on 7 footers?
Click to expand...

The secret to clearing the table is.....remove the rails!! You will never fail to clear a ball from the table. Or.......you could just play on a 7ft table with buckets for pockets and very little shelf! :grin-square:

Ray
 
the420trooper said:
The last 3 times I've played, I've played a step above my normal game. I live in a small town, where barbox 8-ball is the only thing available.

The last 3 times I've played, I've had a B&R percentage of over 50%.

My opponent has been a strong player every time, but I've been winning by a good margin. My last 3 sets have gone 10-2, 8-1, and 8-4.(My high run is only 4 racks) I've broken and ran most of those games, and I think I've hit that next level.

I used to have a bias against box 8-ball, until I played a lot on the barbox. I thought it was an easier game, but the CB control necessary for box 8 just doesn't transfer to a 9ft. It's harder to run out on a 7ft, imo.

I think I've been playing the best pool of my life, and when you realize that the small table doesn't mean you have an easy game, you tend to focus harder, and control whitey better.

Box 8 is tough, but if you're in stroke, you can make a capable opponent look like an idiot. I have been lately.

What do you guys think about the difficulty difference between Boxes and 9footers?

Is it about the same, or is one easier than the others?
Click to expand...

I'll take either one of them over a snooker table anyday. Glad too hear your shooting well troop. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top