[JoeS]

So I usually play pool on my school tables, and... well... let's just they aren't the greatest. They got slants, dead rails, and the cloth is always dirty, but they're a short walk away, free and certainly better than nothing. Actually since I've been playing on them for a few years now, I can actually use the table rolls to an advantage from time to time. Anyways, whenever I hop on a normal sized table (that's at least somewhat taken care of) it feels strange and it takes a while for some comfort to sink in.

Is it just me or can practicing/playing on these tables throw off my skills?

[FASTLARRY]

JoeS, on Nov 18 2007, 03:53 AM, said:

So I usually play pool on my school tables, and... well... let's just they aren't the greatest. They got slants, dead rails, and the cloth is always dirty, but they're a short walk away, free and certainly better than nothing. Actually since I've been playing on them for a few years now, I can actually use the table rolls to an advantage from time to time. Anyways, whenever I hop on a normal sized table (that's at least somewhat taken care of) it feels strange and it takes a while for some comfort to sink in.

Is it just me or can practicing/playing on these tables throw off my skills?

Work drills, even a bad table, is better than no table.

[imax]

FASTLARRY, on Nov 18 2007, 04:43 AM, said:

Work drills, even a bad table, is better than no table.

It's a wonderment!

The tables that I think have terrible cloth showing worn areas, small torn spots,
as well as tight pockets better players seem to have no trouble on them at all.

Like I said "It's a wonderment! "

[Pelican]

JoeS, on Nov 18 2007, 03:53 AM, said:

So I usually play pool on my school tables, ... Actually since I've been playing on them for a few years now,....

Hum, sound's like a professional student

Gottja, Pel

[Pin]

I used to play nearly all my pool on this one table at my local bar. I got to the level where I could be out in 2 visits pretty consistently. However, I played really badly whenever I was on a different table.

Obviously it's normal to have one or two tables you usually play on, but I think it helps your game to mix it up a bit, playing on different tables occasionally. You learn more flexbility and adaptability.
Playing league pool was okay, but usually you'd only get a couple of frames on the new table during the evening. Actually playing a full session on a new table is better.

I think it can be good to play with house cues sometimes for the same reason - it keeps you from becoming too dependent on your normal gear. Although knowing your own cue is important for precision play too.


If the table isn't level, you might be able to level it yourself. If not, you might be able to pester the school into getting it done.

Other than that, it sounds fine to practice on, but I'd suggest you try to get some time on good tables occasionally too - that way you can experience playing on a fast cloth, playing slow/long shots that require you to trust the table, playing banks, etc etc.

You probably make certain decisions in your shot selection to cope with the bad table. Learn that these are good adjustments for the conditions any time you are on a bad table, but be able to drop them when on a decent table and play a 'normal' game, where you don't have to hit the balls too hard, you can play slow shots and precision shots, and you can bank with confidence using normal kinds of angles.


But most of all, have fun playing.

[JoeS]

Pelican, on Nov 18 2007, 09:08 PM, said:

Hum, sound's like a professional student

Gottja, Pel

Well... I'm working on it.

I like to think I'm one of the top players in my school. We host tournaments and I win some, but not with much consistency.

Pin, on Nov 19 2007, 05:31 AM, said:

I used to play nearly all my pool on this one table at my local bar. I got to the level where I could be out in 2 visits pretty consistently. However, I played really badly whenever I was on a different table.

Obviously it's normal to have one or two tables you usually play on, but I think it helps your game to mix it up a bit, playing on different tables occasionally. You learn more flexbility and adaptability.
Playing league pool was okay, but usually you'd only get a couple of frames on the new table during the evening. Actually playing a full session on a new table is better.

I think it can be good to play with house cues sometimes for the same reason - it keeps you from becoming too dependent on your normal gear. Although knowing your own cue is important for precision play too.


If the table isn't level, you might be able to level it yourself. If not, you might be able to pester the school into getting it done.

Other than that, it sounds fine to practice on, but I'd suggest you try to get some time on good tables occasionally too - that way you can experience playing on a fast cloth, playing slow/long shots that require you to trust the table, playing banks, etc etc.

You probably make certain decisions in your shot selection to cope with the bad table. Learn that these are good adjustments for the conditions any time you are on a bad table, but be able to drop them when on a decent table and play a 'normal' game, where you don't have to hit the balls too hard, you can play slow shots and precision shots, and you can bank with confidence using normal kinds of angles.


But most of all, have fun playing.

Yeah I can relate to a lot of what you're saying. When I play on a "good" table, I am shooting a lot softer and it almost feels like I'm playing a completely different game. I adjust I guess, but it takes some time. I only bank on my school tables when I really don't have any other choice because they are not very consistent. I guess I should try and get out more often so I can play on other tables.

[The_Woim]

Every table out there has its quirks. You're challenge is to have fun and play pool. If you want to get better, practice skill drills.

Remember, your opponent has to play on the same table...

Practicing pool by yourself can be lonesome and sometimes even boring. One sure way to rid yourself of boredom is to get a notebook and keep track of the results of your practice drills. You'll see over the weeks how your game is improving.

Yours Truly,
The Woim

[FASTLARRY]

The_Woim, on Nov 19 2007, 05:19 PM, said:

Every table out there has its quirks. You're challenge is to have fun and play pool. If you want to get better, practice skill drills.

Remember, your opponent has to play on the same table...

Practicing pool by yourself can be lonesome and sometimes even boring. One sure way to rid yourself of boredom is to get a notebook and keep track of the results of your practice drills. You'll see over the weeks how your game is improving.

Yours Truly,
The Woim

Very true, good post, but you can get the table from hell that makes playing on it so aggravating its not worth it, and I just give up and go drink, something at least I have a prayer of being successful at. And the cost of it is not always the issue. Pro Line set me up a 5K table to teach and film on. I did my first two DVD's at. They cut the pocket openings bad and knew it, could not sell it, so they pawned it off on me. God could not run 5 balls on that table and neither could I. Two of the pockets blipped out everything that was not dead ass in the center. I asked them to recut the pockets right and they stalled me into tamale and then went out of business. I should have just walked out and found another gig, I learned a lesson from that one.

I set up a new gig at a new table dealer in town and its the same deal, table to teach on, film on and I give them a free show once a month. They want to put in the cheapest table they have to prove a pro can play on it. I said, that is dumb, put me on the best table you have so I can run balls and show what a real pro can do. So what do they set up, a Chinese import old Murray table, l/2" slate, all particle board, I lean against the table and the balls move, the pockets are plastic and nailed in, which means they will cut my fingers and put holds and chips in my $200 set of pro balls when the nails work out. Here is the real killer, make two balls in the pocket and you can see both of them, make 4 and they are even with the slate. Balls are going in and coming back out. Worst pockets I ever saw, they did not even fit the table. They are trying to sell this POS for $1800 and they probably buy it for $400. I told them if you are going to go cheap on me from the get go and not listen to what I need, then its time to walk and you can kiss my ass and walked out. I no longer put up with crap tables, or broke losers who go 4th class.
Unless I am being paid big bucks to play on and show on a POS, I walk out if they play like crap. That is why you have not seen me on a bar box in years.

I have a table that plays perfect at home and I don't have to take any body's she-yit any more.

[cowhornz]

JoeS, on Nov 18 2007, 03:53 AM, said:

So I usually play pool on my school tables, and... well... let's just they aren't the greatest. They got slants, dead rails, and the cloth is always dirty, but they're a short walk away, free and certainly better than nothing. Actually since I've been playing on them for a few years now, I can actually use the table rolls to an advantage from time to time. Anyways, whenever I hop on a normal sized table (that's at least somewhat taken care of) it feels strange and it takes a while for some comfort to sink in.

Is it just me or can practicing/playing on these tables throw off my skills?

i feel the same way. when i shoot in a pool hall it takes me around 20-30 minutes to adjust and i shoot fairly well. when i go back to my school tables, the atmosphere is different, the balls are dirty, and readjusting to the crap tables is just annoying, and my body just doesn't let me play good on them because it thinks i deserve to play better. i guess it's all in the mind.. if u think you can play well on them, you won't care about the quirks, adjust and play.

[pool2da]

Even if the ball is not rolling true you are still getting to work on your stoke which is still better than nothing. True enough depending on the condition of the table makes it hard to improve on a lot of shot making ability because of the influence of the table. But for fun and like the other poster your opponent is playing the same table so he has no advantage over you and that is where it is matching your skills against another.