when did tables go from 10 to 9 ft.? what were the circumstances?

[Bavafongoul]

My recollection is Crane was a masterful pool player and world champion.
Mosconi described Crane as one of the most knowledgeable pool players.

Nonetheless, Willie didn’t require any help to beat Crane and he mostly did too.
Their final match played was in 1955, a round robin tournament and Crane won.

Mosconi had to retire in 1957 due to a stroke he earlier suffered. It would have
been great if they could have played head to head after the Hustler was released.

 

[book collector]

thanks..

Hope you got the answer you were looking for, if not pm me.

 

[garczar]

What size tables were in all those post "The Hustler" pool rooms that Brunswick set up in the 1960s? Eight or nine feet?

Mostly 9ft GC's Some also went with OS 8's.

 

[realkingcobra]

I've explained this in the past but as usual most tend to not read.

Back in the late 40's early 50's most all tables played on in tournaments in the North Eastern states was on 10's but down south most all tournaments were played on OS 8fts. So Brunswick and the Pool sanctification body back then offered a compromise, if the NORTH would accept Professional play on a smaller than 10' the South would accept play on a larger table. So in the 50's it was decided to create the official size Professional pool table for use in Professional pool tournaments so that everyone playing was playing on the same size table, THAT is how the 9fts came to be recognized as the official regulation size tournament pool tables

 

[garczar]

Klings are very old

Beautiful tables

Another gem of a spot, Booches. Killer burgers up front, Arcades in back. Place is too cool. https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!...=2ahUKEwjckoaEk6P1AhXik2oFHb1JCnoQoip6BAgNEAM

 

[evergruven]

I've explained this in the past but as usual most tend to not read.

Back in the late 40's early 50's most all tables played on in tournaments in the North Eastern states was on 10's but down south most all tournaments were played on OS 8fts. So Brunswick and the Pool sanctification body back then offered a compromise, if the NORTH would accept Professional play on a smaller than 10' the South would accept play on a larger table. So in the 50's it was decided to create the official size Professional pool table for use in Professional pool tournaments so that everyone playing was playing on the same size table, THAT is how the 9fts came to be recognized as the official regulation size tournament pool tables

wow, that's friggen wild..thanks

 

[3kushn]

I've only been in one room, Raytown Rec, in Kansas City that had a 10ft. pool table. Its an old Kling out of Kling-Allen old poolroom. Call her 'Big Bertha'. https://kansascitymag.com/news/sports/this-century-old-pool-table-is-the-most-coveted-in-kc/ The metal corner caps were added at some time.

Been to several rooms with 10' tables including Raytown.
But I didn't start till 1974.

 

[Cornerman]

We had 10’ Brunswick (maybe Medalists) pool tables (from the World’s fair) in Springfield, MA until the late 80’s or early 90’s. I was very fortunate for the experience.

The pockets were very large.

 

[MurrayNevada]

I see 8-foot tables described as "Tournament Tables." Why call them that when they are not used in tournaments?

 

[garczar]

I see 8-foot tables described as "Tournament Tables." Why call them that when they are not used in tournaments?

Guess you never been to Texas. 8ft's may not be used in major events but lots of tournaments have been played on them. Mosconi's hi-run was on a OS 8ft and everyone seems ok with it.

 

[alstl]

In the 40's iirc. More tables would fit and made it a little easier for average recreational players.

Same reason bar boxes exist.

 

[garczar]

Same reason bar boxes exist.

At least with a 9ft you still have a challenging table. BB's were made for one reason: to be cash cows for bar/tavern owners. They were never intended to be a tournament table. Pretty soon they were everywhere and both tourn. and action play was on them.

 

[rexus31]

Mosconi played in his first WC in '33(placed 2nd btw). 10ft's were still common in most rooms then. Southern rooms may have had more 9ft's. IMO Crane's 309 on a 10ft. doen't get enough attention. He beat the record by 65 balls. Pretty sporty.

Mosconi ran a 309 on a 10' as well in the town Mizerak and I were born in: Perth Amboy, NJ.

 

[MurrayNevada]

Guess you never been to Texas. 8ft's may not be used in major events but lots of tournaments have been played on them. Mosconi's hi-run was on a OS 8ft and everyone seems ok with it.

Interesting. Thanks

 

[Lawnboy77]

Guess you never been to Texas. 8ft's may not be used in major events but lots of tournaments have been played on them. Mosconi's hi-run was on a OS 8ft and everyone seems ok with it.

It’s not just Texas. The old T-rail rooms in Kentucky where I grew up were all OS 8’s.

 

[Bavafongoul]

Willie and Crane are both widely acknowledged world champions.

When all is said & done, every great player is compared with Mr. M.

No one gets compared with Crane, or any other greats, like with Willie.

There’s a reason he sits atop the totem pole. Willie was king of the hill.

 

[Bavafongoul]

Mostly 9ft GC's Some also went with OS 8's.

There were 10’ pool and billiard tables along the back left corner wall
and also on the right corner front wall as I recall. You couldn’t find a 7’ table
in Ames. Front desk had a sign….Strictly Pool……there were no games,
except upstairs they’d sneak in some gin rummy and pinochle card games.
You had to be a regular to play in those games. 7’ pool did not fit Ames’ menu.

 

[realkingcobra]

There were 10’ pool and billiard tables along the back left corner wall
and also on the right corner front wall as I recall. You couldn’t find a 7’ table
in Ames. Front desk had a sign….Strictly Pool……there were no games,
except upstairs they’d sneak in some gin rummy and pinochle card games.
You had to be a regular to play in those games. 7’ pool did not fit Ames’ menu.

Spoiler alert, coin operated pool tables didn't come into existence until 1957, and when they did, they were 3'×6' tables, from Valley and Fisher manufacturers

 

[Bavafongoul]

Spoiler alert, coin operated pool tables didn't come into existence until 1957, and when they did, they were 3'×6' tables, from Valley and Fisher manufacturers

Not sure what your point is.…Ames closed more than a decade later….. in the late 60’s.
If they ever got one, the regulars at Ames would use a 7’ table for laying their jackets on.

It was pool in its glory…..right there at Times Square……W. 144th St…….it was intoxicating.
NYC never sleeps...24 hrs a day…non-stop & Ames Billiard Academy was dead center Times Square..

 

[Nostroke]

Not sure what your point is.…Ames closed more than a decade later….. in the late 60’s.
If they ever got one, the regulars at Ames would use a 7’ table for laying their jackets on.

It was pool in its glory…..right there at Times Square……W. 144th St…….it was intoxicating.
NYC never sleeps...24 hrs a day…non-stop & Ames Billiard Academy was dead center Times Square..

That would be west 44th St