9-Ball
Topic: Advice Please...

Me and my brother cant love 9 ball enough, but thats a problem, because were being starved of playing time. You see where we live there is only one place for us to shoot some pool that is easy to get to. We spend a good year up there 2-4 times a week, but now we find ourselves clubless after they changed the rules in the club...My bro cant play there due to his age and I wont play without him because we, and our mates, want to improve all at the same time.

So, I have an idea, since we cant shoot any pool, perhaps I get myself a nice big expensive 9 ball table and convert the garage into a pool room. Have a nice table, etc etc, basically "Living the dream"

The thing is, Im not sure I can get a 9ft table in there, I havent had a chance to do my measurements but I know I can easily get a 6fter in there! I could get a nice, top quality 6 foot pool table in there and me, my bro and our mates can play till our hearts content.

Now, the thing is, Its a 6fter, smaller table, smaller balls, It will surely damage my game when I head back onto a 9fter wont it? The thing is though, I would be playing, I would still be shooting balls, playing with spin and everything that comes with a game of pool. While I know there are downsides to the 6fter, there is of course some up - but I want pro advice, Shall I go ahead and get a 6 foot pool table I WILL play on hours and hours a day, or not, and not know when Im next going to hit a ball on a full size table?

Thanks,

Dazza

Firstly, really sorry to hear about your predicament with your club, I can't tell you how ridiculous that is.

With regards to your idea, firstly, you should probably get some correct measurements on your garage, then you can gain an idea as to whether there are possibilities of getting a full size table.

If there are, it would come down to your current financial situation.

Same applies really for a 6 footer, the actual purchasing of a table is something really that you need to consider.

With regards to the transition between tables, I would expect that you might find differences in cushion reactions etc.

I think the most important thing here is that you obviously love the game. Don't worry too much about whether playing on a smaller table will affect your game on the full size table, just play pool and have fun with your mates.

hear hear, just enjoy yourself, i used to play a useful game of snooker, i stopped for about 7 years, didnt even pick up a cue, the first time i picked up a cue i made a 40 odd break, so imo it wont matter to much with potting angles, once you learn the potting angle its like riding a bike, you never forget and its pretty much the same whatever size table you practice on, as buckster said, it will be cusion and cloth pace that will put you off for a few frames.

Thanks guys. I havent got any money it has to be said but will give everything to get a table, regardless of size....Just read my post back and made me seem like I have money growing on trees lol.

Yeah, I think its best tp just jhave some fun, I mean I really love the game, and am so wound up that because of a stupid thing about age my bro, and therefor me, cant play. He, and I, wouldnt be any trouble in anyones bar, and its annoying that others ruin it for those that love the game and treat others and the tables with respect.

Ok, will get some measurements done tomora, and then address the situation. Anyone know of any good places to get tables? If not, I will see what I can come up with.

Many thanks guys,

Dazza

when your measuring, dont forget to allow for playing a shot on a cusionso you want to allow pretty much the length of your cue. try this, cue 57 inches x 2, 114 inches plus width of table gives you the clearence you need.

I'm doing some business with Ian at IQ Pool, Manchester at the mo, and i dont think you'll get cheaper for a 6ft'er. If you have a dynamic catalogue there's a handy room size calculater at the back, or just google it!

Is it a Rileys that's stopped your younger brother playing?

Nope. Just some local club that doesnt really have a name.

Thanks for the help fellas...

Dazza

hey Dazza, Great to hear that you guys love pool... and sorry also about the stupidity with your brother and the club.

I just want to add a bit about tables in small rooms... I myself have a 9 ft table at home to practise on. The room is not large enough for it to use my full size cue the whole time. However, I don't find this much of a problem, I use a 3/4 length cue for cushion shots on the sides. it actually adds quite a bit as a practise table, cause for my positional play I'm always trying to leave a shot where I can use my full size cue. This makes my pots much easier and it's a good habit to get into. Of course, some shots have to be played off the cushion, but for this the short cue always works fine.

My advice would be, if you really love 9-ball and prefer the game and want to improve at that, maybe you should consider something similar to what I have. If you do, you should consider only 44 inch * 2 + table for your room size. maybe a little more to give you room for your butt...

I would say that when I'm playing on my table at home I end up using the short cue only about 25% of the time at the most and some racks you don't need it at all.

Just some thoughts... on the down side... it can be a pain in the fool having to change cues when you're flowing...

anyway, either way, I hope you can at least fit a table in there and get one for a good price.

enjoy playing, that's the most important thing.

check this room chart out ..................

http://www.olhausenbilliards.com/roomchart.php

Thanks for the help guys.

no problemo... hope you get yourself sorted out with a table soon.

a young friend of mine Richard Twomey got an 8ball 6ft table when he was younger too, also a big Snooker and 9 ball lover.
just last year he got into the world junior 8 ball final!!! norrowly losing the title.

He has since gone pro and will be in the top 64 maybe the top 32 before his 18th birthday,

now, the transition to 9 ball, 9 ft table. HE IS BLOODY DANGEROUS! lol to answer your question.... and also at snooker...

the point to all this is, if you love playing cue sports - then carry on loving them and play whatever you can, whenever you can! this way you will be making improvements all the time regardless of what table you are playing on.

gd luck pal - hope you become world no.1! why the the devils playground not!

Ossie