snooker pocket sizes

[bobk...@pcola.gulf.net]

Perhaps someone can give me the straight dope on this.

It is my suderstanding that the American snooker table pockets are
smaller that pockets on our english counterparts. Is this so??

Also, what is reason for the flat edged rails on some tables rather
than the pointed rails??

Thanks.

[Brit4Maki]

In response to your questions, Bob, I think the pocket size relates to the
table size. American Snooker tables are 5 x 10 (or thereabouts) while English
tables are 6 x 12. The 5 x 10 tables I've seen, for the most part, have
proportionally smaller pockets. Funny thing....I've been able to run higher
scores on 5 x 10's versus 6 x 12's....might be the position play issues of a
larger table and a lighter, more deflecting cue ball. Maybe I just need a lot
more practice. ;)

As far as the flat rails go, that's the way all tables used to be.
Contemporary pool table manufacturers made the rails curved to discourage
people from setting drinks or ash trays on a table, risking a cloth incident.
The best snooker tables and billiard tables still have flat rails. It allows
the shooter a bit more room to stroke slightly lower and more level, as well.
Incremental, yes......but, true!

Keep enjoying!

Brit...@aol.com

"Play every game."

[Jay]

What do you mean you've gotten six lengths?

Bob Jewett wrote:

>
> The standard shape for English rubber seems to be square. It seems to
> work pretty well, as I've gotten six lengths on an English table with
> fairly new cloth.
>
> Bob Jewett

[Bob Jewett]

bobk...@pcola.gulf.net wrote:

: It is my suderstanding that the American snooker table pockets are

: smaller that pockets on our english counterparts. Is this so??

For many years, regulation snooker tables have had to match pocket
templates controlled by the rules authority (used to be the B&SCC).
"American" snooker tables, on the other hand, are rarely used for
internationally sanctioned competition and the owners have made the
pockets whatever size they please.

The 5x10 table at Bucktooth's place in Castro Valley had corner pockets
so small that it was impossible to make a ball into them unless the
ball started at least 30 degrees away from the cushion. That is, only
the "center third" of the pocket was useable. You might have an
interesting game on such a table, but it wouldn't be snooker.

: Also, what is reason for the flat edged rails on some tables rather
: than the pointed rails??

The standard shape for English rubber seems to be square. It seems to

[Bob Jewett]

Jay <jci...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:

: What do you mean you've gotten six lengths [on a 6x12 snooker
: table]?

I mean that from about the brown spot, shooting over the spots, I've
struck the far (top) cushion three times and the near (bottom) cushion
three times. This was on a table with nap left on the cloth and
reasonably clean cushions. Since I can't get that far on a pool or
carom table -- even fast ones -- I conclude that if you want speed,
square-nosed snooker rubber is the better design. I made the shot
without breaking form (rising up, as some do on break shots).

Judging from comments in the snooker group, I think this much distance
is not remarkable for a snooker table.

Bob Jewett

[Phil Freedenberg]

Since a snooker table is so much larger than a pool table to begin with, we
must suspect there is a mechanism for reducing some of the energy losses we
are used to in pool. How about the nap? what effect does that have?

--
O
/ \
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Phil Freedenberg
Bob Jewett wrote in message <7ovo5o$q...@dfw-ixnews4.ix.netcom.com>...

[Austin K. Williams]

Phil,

Step (or L) rubber cushions and lighter balls (2-1/16" vs 2-1/4"). Note that
"American" snooker tables are usually 5x10 and have K-66 point cushions
(like pool tables). The combo of K-66 cushions and the heavier 2-1/8" balls
make these tables play very sluggishly indeed.
A pure wool napped cloth plays MUCH slower than a wool/nylon Simonis-type
cloth. The nap must be laid down by constant brushing and periodic ironing
with a table iron. Most snooker players find the Simonis way too fast for
snooker play - its good for golf, though. Another thing that affects snooker
table play significantly is the humidity in the air. Some rooms that have
little or no air conditioning drive the players crazy because the table
speed changes so much from day to day. Some high-humidity days it seems like
the balls are trying to go uphill! Good luck.

Austin

Phil Freedenberg wrote in message
<6PVs3.227$7W6....@iad-read.news.verio.net>...