what size?
- Thread starter smitty
- Start date
Buy the biggest pool table your house could accomodate without the walls interfering with any shot.
If you only fit a bar table than buy that because it just isn't fun having to go for the short stick all the time. Well that's at least what she said anyway.
I would definitely have to agree with GMAC in paying attention to size constraints, but with that being said, you can get around a slightly tight space if you think its worth it to be able to practice on a full size table (as was my personal opinion)
The mechanics that installed my table said they rarely encounter a perfect space for a 9 footer when they do their installations. Everone is working with some sort of strange corner or support beam somewhere. I personally have a couple funny spots on my table, but I think its worth it to have the big track.
As far as tables, we would all like a diamond, Gabriel, or GC5, but if you want a real nice table for the money, I would try to sniff out a Gold Crown 3, (they're usually pretty plentiful as they were the table of choice in most of the pool halls that sadly are now closing). I picked mine up for 1400 installed with simonis 860 and 4.5 inch pockets at the corners. Make sure you have the pockets attended to if you get one of these, they came stock with monster buckets that wont help you improve much.
Anyway, my two cents here, but for the money a properly set up GC3 is pretty tough to beat.
The mechanics that installed my table said they rarely encounter a perfect space for a 9 footer when they do their installations. Everone is working with some sort of strange corner or support beam somewhere. I personally have a couple funny spots on my table, but I think its worth it to have the big track.
As far as tables, we would all like a diamond, Gabriel, or GC5, but if you want a real nice table for the money, I would try to sniff out a Gold Crown 3, (they're usually pretty plentiful as they were the table of choice in most of the pool halls that sadly are now closing). I picked mine up for 1400 installed with simonis 860 and 4.5 inch pockets at the corners. Make sure you have the pockets attended to if you get one of these, they came stock with monster buckets that wont help you improve much.
Anyway, my two cents here, but for the money a properly set up GC3 is pretty tough to beat.
Last edited:
Get a full size is possible (4.5 x 9).
Older GC's are usually plentiful and not too expensive.
Playing on a larger table with tighter pockets will improve your game.
Russ....
Older GC's are usually plentiful and not too expensive.
Playing on a larger table with tighter pockets will improve your game.
Russ....
thats is what everyone tells me is to get the bigger table it will help my game, and i cant argue because they know more than i do and i respect there opinion but i love to play on a bar table i dont even care about playing on anything else but when we go to different places around here there are usually 4x8's, it seem to hurt me when i go from a 9ft to a bar because of the shapes you play on a 9ft are different on a bar table. i understand it will make you a better shot maker but the shapes on a 9ft and a bar table are a world different to me............ha ha ha .......im so confused.....thanks for the help guys keep em coming if you dont mind every little bit helps
The only difference between the Bar table and a 9' table is congestion.
You will have more problem balls on the Bar table then the 9' or 8'. I have a 9' that I practice on and I play in 4 different leagues on Bar tables and thats the problem I run into. If I have a wide open table on a 7' it is like taking candy from a baby to run the balls out. Also its so much harder for a person that plays on a 7' well to go to a 9' table and play as well as he does on a Bar Box because of the size difference.
Ron
You will have more problem balls on the Bar table then the 9' or 8'. I have a 9' that I practice on and I play in 4 different leagues on Bar tables and thats the problem I run into. If I have a wide open table on a 7' it is like taking candy from a baby to run the balls out. Also its so much harder for a person that plays on a 7' well to go to a 9' table and play as well as he does on a Bar Box because of the size difference.
Ron
Last edited:
two schools of thought
There are two schools of thought, both with some good points. A big table with tight pockets refines your game. However, it also makes some changes in your game you might not realize. Your shot selection changes and you get used to not being able to cheat the pockets as much. When you get on a bar table afterwards you pass on shots you should take and you either over or underestimate how much you can cheat the pockets for shape.
Staying tuned on what you play on is the best argument for getting the same table you play on. Any pool table that adds hours to your practice time will make you a better player regardless of the size or quality of the table. Bar tables may seem easy but in every bar table match-up there is a winner and a loser and in bar table tournaments there tends to be the same winners over and over, more to it than luck. You can have a home table set up pretty soft and still find ways to make practice tough. Run some routine outs so you stay tuned for that but then practice "second choice" shape for awhile, deliberately making things tough to run out. You may have to take these shots in a match when other balls are in the way.
Unless you are planning on getting a lot of practice in on the tables you normally compete on also, I say get the same table for home use. If you are going to stay tuned on the local tables too then there can be an advantage to setting up a tough table at home.
Hu
There are two schools of thought, both with some good points. A big table with tight pockets refines your game. However, it also makes some changes in your game you might not realize. Your shot selection changes and you get used to not being able to cheat the pockets as much. When you get on a bar table afterwards you pass on shots you should take and you either over or underestimate how much you can cheat the pockets for shape.
Staying tuned on what you play on is the best argument for getting the same table you play on. Any pool table that adds hours to your practice time will make you a better player regardless of the size or quality of the table. Bar tables may seem easy but in every bar table match-up there is a winner and a loser and in bar table tournaments there tends to be the same winners over and over, more to it than luck. You can have a home table set up pretty soft and still find ways to make practice tough. Run some routine outs so you stay tuned for that but then practice "second choice" shape for awhile, deliberately making things tough to run out. You may have to take these shots in a match when other balls are in the way.
Unless you are planning on getting a lot of practice in on the tables you normally compete on also, I say get the same table for home use. If you are going to stay tuned on the local tables too then there can be an advantage to setting up a tough table at home.
Hu
probably the Diamond for myself
I like the Diamond bar table a lot if I had to choose a bar table. However, what do you play on? A Diamond banks a little different and the pockets are considerably different than a Valley or a Dynamo. You might be better served to get what you are playing on and try to match conditions at home and where you play. Eight footers are kind of the red headed stepchild of the pool world, neither fish nor fowl. I don't recommend one. I would go for either a seven or nine footer. For quality and price I would get a Diamond. If you want maximum advantage from your practice I would weigh what I have already said in my first post. Only you have the answers.
Hu
I like the Diamond bar table a lot if I had to choose a bar table. However, what do you play on? A Diamond banks a little different and the pockets are considerably different than a Valley or a Dynamo. You might be better served to get what you are playing on and try to match conditions at home and where you play. Eight footers are kind of the red headed stepchild of the pool world, neither fish nor fowl. I don't recommend one. I would go for either a seven or nine footer. For quality and price I would get a Diamond. If you want maximum advantage from your practice I would weigh what I have already said in my first post. Only you have the answers.
Hu
What size?
Mine is 2 inches.Where I come from we measure from the ground up.....................OOPS sorry,thought you meant something else.
Mine is 2 inches.Where I come from we measure from the ground up.....................OOPS sorry,thought you meant something else.