wincardona
Verified Member
I originally posted this on the Which table to play thread. This is imo the measuring stick you should use when picking a table that carries the right pocket size for your game.
Let me try to put this debate in the proper prospective. This debate is not how a top player feels playing another top player on differen't pocket sizes, nor is it how one personally feels on what pocket size he plays his best game on. This debate is CAN A PLAYER GIVE MORE OR LESS WEIGHT ON 4 INCH POCKETS OVER 4-1/2 INCH POCKETS. And also what pocket size is right for certain games.
Any time that there is a game established between two players that is a competetive game, played on 4-1/2 inch pockets, would there be a difference in the outcome of that game if it was played on a 4 inch pocket table, and who would benefit with the change of pocket size. .
I believe with my years of experience that there is a certain pocket size that puts limitations on even the best of players, and that pocket size I believe starts around 4-1/4 inch and smaller. Once a pocket size is as small as 4-1/4 the player is limited on what he can do consistently. When the pocket size lessens to 4 inch and smaller the more the player is restricted. The smaller the pocket the more difficult it is for the player.
I also believe that there is a certain pocket size that limits a weaker player, and that pocket size is around 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 inches. Understanding my beliefs there is a pocket size that will maximize the the edge that a top player has over a weaker player, and I believe it's between 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 inch pockets. A top player will maximize his ability to win playing a weaker player on the above mentioned pocket size.
A top player will reach his maximum effiency playing a weaker player on pockets that are between 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 inches. This will vary depending on the strength of the weak player.
This is why I said earlier that the perfect pocket size to play your opponent on is a size that doesn't intimidate you but will intimidate your opponent. It's up to you to determine what size pockets that would be.
I also firmly believe once a pocket is reduced in size to 4 inches and smaller it only helps the weaker player over a top player, providing the game was established on pockets that are within the 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 inches. Any time a game is competitive on 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 inch pockets and it is moved to a table with 4 inch pockets or smaller the more it favors the weaker player.
There are some people that think that they can give up more weight on 4 inch pockets and smaller than they can give up on 4-1/2 inch pockets, to me it's clearly the opposite, and as a rule of thumb my suggestion will prevail more often than not.
The above has been endorsed by many of the games most creditable players.
I would like to hear opinions on the 4 inch and smaller pocket size debate.
Thanks,
Billy Incardona
Let me try to put this debate in the proper prospective. This debate is not how a top player feels playing another top player on differen't pocket sizes, nor is it how one personally feels on what pocket size he plays his best game on. This debate is CAN A PLAYER GIVE MORE OR LESS WEIGHT ON 4 INCH POCKETS OVER 4-1/2 INCH POCKETS. And also what pocket size is right for certain games.
Any time that there is a game established between two players that is a competetive game, played on 4-1/2 inch pockets, would there be a difference in the outcome of that game if it was played on a 4 inch pocket table, and who would benefit with the change of pocket size. .
I believe with my years of experience that there is a certain pocket size that puts limitations on even the best of players, and that pocket size I believe starts around 4-1/4 inch and smaller. Once a pocket size is as small as 4-1/4 the player is limited on what he can do consistently. When the pocket size lessens to 4 inch and smaller the more the player is restricted. The smaller the pocket the more difficult it is for the player.
I also believe that there is a certain pocket size that limits a weaker player, and that pocket size is around 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 inches. Understanding my beliefs there is a pocket size that will maximize the the edge that a top player has over a weaker player, and I believe it's between 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 inch pockets. A top player will maximize his ability to win playing a weaker player on the above mentioned pocket size.
A top player will reach his maximum effiency playing a weaker player on pockets that are between 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 inches. This will vary depending on the strength of the weak player.
This is why I said earlier that the perfect pocket size to play your opponent on is a size that doesn't intimidate you but will intimidate your opponent. It's up to you to determine what size pockets that would be.
I also firmly believe once a pocket is reduced in size to 4 inches and smaller it only helps the weaker player over a top player, providing the game was established on pockets that are within the 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 inches. Any time a game is competitive on 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 inch pockets and it is moved to a table with 4 inch pockets or smaller the more it favors the weaker player.
There are some people that think that they can give up more weight on 4 inch pockets and smaller than they can give up on 4-1/2 inch pockets, to me it's clearly the opposite, and as a rule of thumb my suggestion will prevail more often than not.
The above has been endorsed by many of the games most creditable players.
I would like to hear opinions on the 4 inch and smaller pocket size debate.
Thanks,
Billy Incardona