[Qdaddy]

The local pool hall is not where I want to take my son to anymore. I am going to get a table and since he wants to compete I want to get a table that he would play on in a tournament.
What size 8' or 9' are most APA or BCA matches played on?
Thanks for any info provided.

[Pelican]

All major tournaments are on 9 foot tables. Bar box (7 foot) tournaments are getting very popular.

APA is normally played on 7's. I have not played BCA so can't say for it.

If he ever wanted to play in any pro level tournaments then he will have to play on a nine. If you have the room go with a nine. It is easier to adjust from a 9 to a 7 than from a 7 to a 9.

Pel

[ Edited by Pelican on 2007/8/18 8:00 ]

[Qdaddy]

Not sure if I have the room for a 9. How much room would you suggest? The room I have planned to use is 12' x 16'.

[Pelican]

That would be tight for a 7'er. Best to have table size plus 10 feet. A nine foot would need 19' X 14 1/2'. You can do it on a tad less, the room my Diamond's in is about 18 1/2 and it works. Can get a little tight if the CB is frozen to the end rail. In that situation you are going to be elevated some anyway.

Later, Pel

[ Edited by Pelican on 2007/8/18 18:36 ]

[Pin]

There is an advantage to small tables too - you learn tighter cue ball control, as you have less space to work with.

Besides which, if he's young and wants to get good, what's most important is that he gets regular practice, IMO.

You can still practice fairly long shots on a 7'.

[FASTLARRY]

My 58" cue when I plant the butt on the floor and stand up straight, I can put 2 balls on the tip and they fit and touch under my chin, so a cue 62 l/2" reaches there.
Take that idea and then you will know how long a cue needs to be for him.

I have several cues made for kids, nice 2 piece stealths. If you want one, call 770-381-6609. They are $100 each and very nice.

You need a cue for a kid that does the same thing, so most will have trouble playing with a cue too long or heavy. The cue needs to keep getting longer as he grows.

If he is a serious young player you may need to have cues custom made for him.

[Pin]

If he needs a lighter cue, you can take the weight bolt out of a normal cue to achieve that effect.

I did that with my break cue.

It's not as good an option as a smaller cue designed for a kid, as it's still too long and the weight distribution would be a little unusual, but if cue weight is a problem it's a cheap solution.

[The_Woim]

If you can't fit a nine foot table, get an eight foot table.

Make it fun for you and your son to grow together in your pool skills. Overemphasizing tournaments can kill the fun.

Most tourneys in the St. Louis area are played almost exclusively on bar boxes.

Sincerely
The Woim

[sofy60]

Since all the big pro tournaments are played on 9 foot tables and that sounds like what you're working towards with your son and if you have the room i would definitely go for the 9 foot table.