Do u recommend an 8ft or 9ft pool table?

Question

I know that pros use 9ft tables but its usually 8ft or even 7ft tables that are used in bars so which should i buy?

Also, are the pocket sizes and size of the balls the same on 8 and 9 ft tables?

Answer 1

the pockets are all the same size on regulation tables (unless you cut a bigger hole and cheat) but on  some not so nice tables they can be bigger or you can buy practice (i call them inpossible) tables where the pocket is barely bigger ten the ball itself but they are usually hard to find but easy online (aka ebay)

i think 8ft because unless you have a very big room you might bang a pool cue into a wall on the backstroke

ant the pro thing abought the 10ft ones   im not trying to be mean but the chances of you getting into the pros are little to none sry

Answer 2

Definitely 9' if you're serious about playing.  If you're limited by room size, get the largest you can fit and still have room for your cue.

Pocket sizes vary from table to table and are not necessarily related to the overall size of the table.  Pros generally use 4.5 inch pockets (2 balls width) while a more family friendly size would be closer to 5 inches.  You can get larger pockets and shim them down as you improve though.

Answer 3

Where are you going to play?  Are you planning on practicing at home and then go to a bar?  If that's the case I'd reccomend a 7 ft table.  I know everyone says playing on a 9 ft will improve your game and it will on certain shots, but a barbox is a great tool for learning to get through traffic.  Imagine 15 balls on a 9 footer and 15 on a 7 footer there's a lot more room to work on a 9 footer, on 7 feet you need to be more precise on your leaves and ball control.  

But a 9 footer is going to improve your long shots and safety play, for instance if you need to hide the ball on a 7 footer the shot will be right there a lot of the time but a 9 footer requires more precision because if it's not a perfect leave you will give the opponent a more open field to work with.

An 8 footer might be the best option if your planning on playing on the other types equally.

I may be wrong, I might be right, just my opinion, but remember there are pros and cons for any of the three and you're going to want the best practice for whatever you will primarily be using.

Answer 4

I've heard it's different in some parts of the country, but every pool hall I've ever been to had primarily 9' tables. Bars with coin-op tables generally have 7', and 8' tables are pretty rare.

Anyway, most serious players would only consider 9' tables unless they had room size restrictions. Some people use the misnomer "pro size" when discussing 9' tables, but in fact 9' is standard size. 8' tables only exist because the reduced size is an easier fit as home tables, and was actually referred to as "mini-pool" when they were first made.

So if you're serious about pool, go with the 9'. If you have size restrictions or just don't take the game that seriously, you might want to go with an 8' table.

Good luck and have fun.

Answer 5

Gotta go with the guys on 9 footers

30 years ago reg was 8 ft but now they but all but gone for the serious player for your own table it will make you play better if you go out to 7s or 8s anyway maybe not bar boxes give me the most trouble but usually because of their condition

Answer 6

I have an 8ft in my house.  I prefer it because most people are proficient on it as they have played in bars.  So the competition is pretty even.  No complaints of, Oh I'm used to a smaller table.