Tight pocket table practice

[BigCat]

I'm looking to get some practice in before the US Amateur tournament. Last week in our 9-ball League, I played on a very tight pocket table, probably the tightest I've ever played on. This got me thinking ... should I do as much practice as possible on this table? It is bound to increase my accuracy, but I found I needed to adopt a much more defensive game in a match because running out was so hard, and shots I'd do in a tournament you just cannot do on this table (forget about hitting the rail before the pocket at medium/hard speed). So shots I'd use in a tournament, I would not even be attempting on this table.

I guess I should practice on this table (running out/drills/14/1) when on my own, but not play matches there?

Any thoughts ... ?

I would definitely recommend practicing and playing on this table. Assuming this table isn't ridiculously tough (i.e. you can't perform a simple draw shot down the rail w/o rattling the object ball with a medium speed).

Practicing on a table like this has many advantages, and owning a Diamond ProAm myself (with 4 1/2 inch pockets), I can tell you that this definitely increases your confidence. Which, may be the most important thing you gain from playing on this tight table. Plus, when you do play on this table (practice or match play), you will find that your aim is more focused on center pocket than normal. This will do wonders when you transition to a different table with larger pockets (your margin of error for missing almost doubles). JMO.

 

[DrCue'sProtege]

We're going to be getting a home table soon and just thinking what pocket size to get? Thinking 4.5 inches? But I was also thinking of getting pocket reducers from seyberts: http://www.seyberts.com/products/Practice_Pro_Reducers-317-84.html


That way when I practice I could play with the pocket reducers and when I'm not feeling so good I could take them off. Sound good?

i've always felt those Pocket Reducers are one of the best practice aids out there. for $30 they are a steal. get some, you will be glad you did!

however, unless you modify the pocket reducers you cant really play. but when practicing they can do wonders for your game. Tom "Dr Cue" Rossman highly recommended them to me.

DCP

 

[East Coast Pool]

a tight table can also make u lose ur rhythm.
at least thats what a few pros told me
they said sometimes play on a looser table to get rhythm confidence

 

[hobokenapa]

Practiced on it last night

I practiced on this tight table last night. I took a picture of the pockets which I will post when I get home. Basically if you put two balls together, you can't get close to the pocket. So I'd say it was 4.25".

I tried some 14.1, couldn't run more than about 18, but I was starting to loosen up. Then I tried the drill of hitting long straight shots, and hit all 15 in a row so I was feeling good. Then I was running racks of 9-ball. Went straight into my League match on regular pockets, and didn't miss a single ball!

I was definitely concentrating more on the tight pocket table, but once I got into stroke, I just forgot about it.

An earlier poster mentioned about safety play. The game I lost were all a result of a weak safe. Both of us were running out open tables. Practicing safeties is definitely going to be a priority before Atlanta...

 

[JoeyInCali]

It will be handy before you head out to Hard Times or Hollywood Billiards.