What table size makes you a better overall player, 7 foot valley table or 9 foot brunswick?

Question

i went from playing 14yrs on a 7 foot table to playing on a 9 foot table the last 4 years. in the last 4 years that iv been playing on a 9 foot table, my game on a 7 foot table has jumped about 40% better. my teamate tends not to believe this and thinks that playing on a 9 foot table does not help you to play better on a 7 foot table he thinks it easier to run out a table on a 9 foot table then a 7 foot table in any game that is played. even with my experince in playing he still doesn't think its better. i took lessons from a BCA 2 time world trick shot champion, i think i have enough knowlege about how to play, but i dont know how to explain this to my teamate. please share your expertise on the differances between a 7 foot and a 9 foot table?

Answer 1

a 9 foot table is definitely better. imagine you are training for a marathon, would running short distances like 5km be good training or would running 15km be better? if you can master something of a bigger size and level, it would definitely be easier when u switch to a smaller size table. i've been thru your stage and share your experience, stay on the 9 foot

Answer 2

First of all, fantastic question!!  These are always a pleasure to answer.  I started off in a similar way.  I first learned to play on a 7 foot Brunswick table in my Aunt's basement when I was about 6 or 7, and when I got older, I played on a lot of 7 foot Valley coin-op tables.  I switched to 9 foot tables about 7 years ago, but I'll play on whatever's available.  I would like to make a point about coin-op tables.  A coin-op table usually has a heavier cue ball, sometimes nearly a full ounce heavier than the object balls.  This makes cue ball control more difficult and requires several adjustments both in cue tip position and speed.  Let's talk now about size differences.  The balls will be the same size on both tables (2 1/4" diameter).  The corner pockets are usually slightly wider on bar tables, but the real difference is in shelf depth.  The shelf refers to the edge of the bed where it drops off into the pocket.  On bar tables, the shelf is very shallow and therefore, balls that rattle in the corner pockets often fall in because there is nothing underneath them.  On regulation 9 foot tables, the shelf extends further into the pocket which means that you have to be much more precise in pocketing balls.  The side pockets are actually slightly more narrow on bar tables.  So in general, avoid side pockets on a bar table unless the shot is fairly straight in.  A longer shot into a corner pocket is always preferable to a short, but difficult cut into the side.  So we've covered balls and pockets.  Let's talk about playing area.  A regulation 9 foot table has a playing area of about 16 sq. ft. more than on a 7 foot table.  Therefore, clusters and interfering balls are somewhat less of a problem.  Still, pocketing balls and achieving position is more challenging on a 9 foot table if you don't take interfering balls into account.  A larger table allows you to really let your stroke out and it will help you to improve in pocketing balls from a longer distance.  Both tables have their pros and cons.  More often than not, 9 foot tables are of a much higher quality and the balls roll much more truly.  Valley tables in particular are often abused and neglected.  The cloth is often full of gullies and therefore you often cannot play shots at pocket speed.  I'm sure you've seen a perfectly hit ball drift way off course on a bar table.  You are also more likely to find dead cushions on a bar table.  I fully believe that a person who is proficient on a 9 foot table will have a much easier time on a 7 footer than the other way around.  Once you have adjusted for the heavy cue ball and the less-than-idea playing equipment, you can do quite well.  Small tables do force a player to become good at breaking up clusters, as well as looking for caroms and combinations, but I still assert that 9 foot tables encourage overall improvement far more than do 7 foot tables.  I think that the better a player becomes, the easier it is to play on larger tables.  Incidentally, my hats off to you for seeking quality instruction.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 3

playing on a 9' table will help you on a 7' table for this reason, a 9' table is longer and gennerally has smaller pockets, if you are talking about a 7' bar table then the pockets are bigger but the cushions are wore out more.  So banking is harder on a 7' bar table than a 9' brunswick but making shots will be easier on a 7' table

Answer 4

Really feel that all thing being equal (your ability) it is easier to run out on a 9 foot table....also the pockets being equal.....just a lot more room to work your "traveling" to the next ball....biggest thing to worry about is to stay behind the 50 yard line and not find yourself having to stretch or maybe have to use the "granny" (in the 50's this was the bridge)........just maybe also your playing may have been improved by going to the 9 footer and now since everything is so much closer it makes it easier and your are more confident........then just maybe you just improved because of the "added" focus that comes from playing on a 9 footer carried over to the other tables........anyways..lets go...."first one up by  five" for $100........congratulations on your game!....its almost like being 15 again and with your first girlfriend....right??.......OK maybe not but it is a nice feeling isn't it???