I'm assuming that the organization has a set of standards for the equipment they use for professional competitions, but I haven't been able to find them on their website thus far. I became curious about the equipment they use after watching part of the Allison Fisher Marathon that aired recently.
This was one of Allison's many battles with Karen, although I don't know the tournament or year, and I believe Allison was on the hill. The table they were playing on had brownish cloth. The two players traded misses and then Allison eventually got a shot and looked to be on her way out. When she shot the 9-ball, though, she hit it firmly and missed the pocket pretty badly. The ball hit, it appeared to me, as much as an inch from the pocket (probably a miss of over 3" from center-pocket), but then it rattled and dropped anyway. I don't remember the exact placement of the balls, but it was something similar to this:
(If anyone remembers the match and has a link to a video clip, please post it so I can update my diagram to be completely accurate.)
I'm aware of and in agreement with the argument that says "as long as everyone's playing on the same equipment, then it's fair", but I can't help but think that Allison (and especially Karen, in this case) would argue that a ball struck that poorly should never drop on equipment configured for professional play. Allison even had a funny look on her face after the ball dropped like she was thinking "WOW, that fell?".
Was this just an anomaly, or is this type of equipment the norm for WPBA tournaments, and, if this is the norm, is it due to specifications laid out by the WPBA or simply due to the normal design specs of the company that provides the tables? I think if I were a WPBA player, I would ask to play on equipment that demanded accurate shots. The thought that these two ladies, undoubtedly two of the most accurate pool players on the planet, would be playing on a table that's not even as tough as the Gold Crown II's down at the local pool hall just seems silly to me.
Aaron
This was one of Allison's many battles with Karen, although I don't know the tournament or year, and I believe Allison was on the hill. The table they were playing on had brownish cloth. The two players traded misses and then Allison eventually got a shot and looked to be on her way out. When she shot the 9-ball, though, she hit it firmly and missed the pocket pretty badly. The ball hit, it appeared to me, as much as an inch from the pocket (probably a miss of over 3" from center-pocket), but then it rattled and dropped anyway. I don't remember the exact placement of the balls, but it was something similar to this:
(If anyone remembers the match and has a link to a video clip, please post it so I can update my diagram to be completely accurate.)
I'm aware of and in agreement with the argument that says "as long as everyone's playing on the same equipment, then it's fair", but I can't help but think that Allison (and especially Karen, in this case) would argue that a ball struck that poorly should never drop on equipment configured for professional play. Allison even had a funny look on her face after the ball dropped like she was thinking "WOW, that fell?".
Was this just an anomaly, or is this type of equipment the norm for WPBA tournaments, and, if this is the norm, is it due to specifications laid out by the WPBA or simply due to the normal design specs of the company that provides the tables? I think if I were a WPBA player, I would ask to play on equipment that demanded accurate shots. The thought that these two ladies, undoubtedly two of the most accurate pool players on the planet, would be playing on a table that's not even as tough as the Gold Crown II's down at the local pool hall just seems silly to me.
Aaron
