av84fun said:
First, the dimension between the points on the corner pockets is only ONE variable that leads to the pockets playing "tight." The facing angle and especially the depth of the shelf have a LOT to do with how though the pockets are.
In addition, using balls to measure the point distance is a flawed method since, due to the angle of the facings, a portion of the balls sit BELOW where they touch the points.
But having played in the Pro Am, I can verify that the pockets measured 4.5 by using the ball method.
Second, how many male pro tournements are played on either 4 or 4.25 pockets do you think? My guess...and it is nothing more than that because I haven't personally measured any pro event pockets...but my guess is that the number would be right around zero.
Regards,
Jim
Here is a pool expert that has a table that exhibits what I witnessed at Viejas. So the GC5 corner pockets may have been cut wrong. - don't tell the sponser Brunswick though.
Expert: Bill Newsted
Date: 7/31/2007
Subject: Pocket dimensions
Question
I purchased a table about 7 years ago. 1 1/2 slate with leather pockets, a recreational warehouse purchase, not the top of the line, but no where near a cheap version either, good quality for the price. My corner pockets measure 4 5/8 from rail tip to tip at the pocket opening.
I have been playing pool for over 40 years and only on this table have I encountered the balls vibrating in the pocket without falling in as often. I know I shoot hard and always have, but only on this table have I enountered this as much. What is the typical opening size at the corner pockets. From the information I have been able to get, this is smaller than the minimum on most tables. I also have a second question, I break from the center. I have tried from the side with no luck. Are there any tips you can give me for breaking? Thanks so much.
Answer
Hello Joey,
I added a P.S. to this after I re-read it. See the bottom.
Pockets are often a mystery onto themselves. Set up ten tables by the same manufacturer and they'll all have their unique characteristics, as I'm sure you know.
Your pocket opening size (mouth) is fine so one of the other qualities of a corner pocket is the issue. I could go on and on here about possibilities but let me just say that the vertical and the horizontal cut angles make a lot of difference in the way pockets play. Also, if the pocket shelf is deep it will keep a lot of balls from falling.
If you can find a really good table mechanic he might be able to make a slight adjustment in the facings (maybe just softer or thicker facing pads) on the ends of the sub-rails. You don't say if the rails have ever been recovered but my experience tells me that such subtleties as type of cloth, tightness of cloth, and material used for facings behind the cloth all have an effect on how a pocket plays. So if you've never recovered the table doing so could change things.
Other than that you would really have to get into re-engineering the table and I don't recommend that. I'd be more likely to sell it and get a different table than tear it apart that much.
Anyway, here are the pocket specs currently in use by the World Pool Association (WPA) at
http://www.wpa-pool.com .
The Swanee Tourney does draw a large turnout to Hollywood Billiards for the last couple of years that happpens once a year (near zero), but that tourney originated in San Diego and there they were played on 4.625" wide regulation tables at GasLamp Billiards and drew the same cast of characters so tight pockets in CA isn't the norm.
They used to have the West Coast Pechauer Tourney that drew Efren Reyes and Jose Parica, but they also played at the Hard Times in Bellflower that had 10 tight tables. The larger tournaments like the IPC and the 1st Sunday spill over to the 10 loose tables outside of the tournament area - so you need to be able to shoot on loose pockets as well.
Ernesto Dominguez usually is the pool table mechanic in So CA and though he has shimmed tables they didn't rattle like the GC5 at Viejas.
Bottom line is that pockets can be cut wrong and rattle excessively.
Oh, in closing, Johnny Archer was a guest of FatBoy and wouldn't have come to CA to the Swanee otherwise - I believe that the Rolls Royce that Johnny was driving was also FatBoy's. I also believe that Johnny took the purse money out of California - not good for the locals.
