Are pockets on a pro match table...

[benspurs]

...the same size as on a club table.

[khizzy]

i think the standard size of the pocket is 3 1/4 "

[moglet]

benspurs,

They could be but not necessarily, the slate drop is in a different position (and is a different shape) on professional pockets, possibly more so for the corners, generally. The jaw profile is also different, this makes the pockets tighter in all directions - or should do if they are to the professional template.

khizzy,

Some pockets, by no means all, will measure this dimension, somewhere, it is very important where it is measured (and which pocket) and can be meaningless if the jaws are the wrong profile and the drops are not in the right position. The professional pocket is not undercut, which can also lead to some confusion when comparing how similarly "sized" pockets behave.

In general there is no substitute for a template set. There has been some discussion of this elsewhere on the forum, try searching under "tables" in the forum index.

[noel]

benspurs,

They could be but not necessarily, the slate drop is in a different position (and is a different shape) on professional pockets, possibly more so for the corners, generally. The jaw profile is also different, this makes the pockets tighter in all directions - or should do if they are to the professional template.

khizzy,

Some pockets, by no means all, will measure this dimension, somewhere, it is very important where it is measured (and which pocket) and can be meaningless if the jaws are the wrong profile and the drops are not in the right position. The professional pocket is not undercut, which can also lead to some confusion when comparing how similarly "sized" pockets behave.

In general there is no substitute for a template set. There has been some discussion of this elsewhere on the forum, try searching under "tables" in the forum index.

Thanks for that experienced reply moglet.

I assume the profile and drops are locked-in at the slate production stage so wonder if
there are different types of slates produced for professional, club, and residential tables?

If so, have you ever seen, for instance, "club" tables "upgraded" to "professional" state as regards slates, rails, cushions, etc.?

Thanks.



=o)

Noel

[nam1977]

In my club we only have one pro type table with the tight and pro style pockets.
The rest are your bucket sized pockets, otherwise the club won't have no members

I would've thought it was normal for a club to have only 1 or 2 pro tables, and the rest bucket pockets.

Every club I've been to in London are like that.
Maybe its only here cause theres not alot of good players in London.

This is my experience with club tables.

Hope this helps.

[Strickimicki]

Just a few words from me!

We have a table at our club, that we had changed to a Pro Match table (no heating or steelblock)!

The first thing that the table fitter does is, he fills out the pockets with a filler bringing the fall about 3/4 of an inch further back into the pocket. That is a big difference blieve me!

Secondly the new rubbers will be cut tighter and with a slightly sharper knuckle causeing balls that hit this to ricochet out of the pocket rather than into it, this can be very depressing

We don't have any heated tables so as for speed of cloth and what ever else makes a difference, I can't really speak for!

[trevs1]

i think the standard size of the pocket is 3 1/4 "

I think pro template pockets are actually 3-3/8ths of an inch across the drop.

[moglet]

Trevs1,

Perhaps a little less, but they do vary a little from year to year and table to table.

Even if the corner pocket measured this across the **drop, (that is, where the drop point is midway between the jaws) and assuming the drop is in the right place, there is considerable latitude for the actual shape or profile of the jaws. You need at least two and better three other points of reference to be more certain it is the right profile.

**the drop point is the last place the ball will stay up before dropping.

[ryanah147]

It is very interesting to read your views on pocket size. I am a player of many years and have read on many occasions articles about pocket size, however, is there any template, or any official manufacturers measurement as to how far the pocket plate should be from the `fall of the slate`. Iv played on tables that if a hard shot was played to the centre of the pocket plate (either middle or corner pockets) the ball would bounce out.
I would be interested to read any comments on same.

[RocketRoy1983]

I played on a replica at Wembley and the pockets were a lot tighter than the average club table yes.

[mooneyy]

I used to play in a pool hall with only one snooker table (only one around here)
and thought the pockets were small... Hell, was I wrong with that!

Meanwhile I play on a Matchroom table and I don't know whether these are
tournament pockets (think so though) but these are way smaller than
the club table's pockets.

cheers

[ace man]

Maybe somebody with access to both table types could shoot a few photos of pockets? Putting a ball at the slate drop might visualize how tough the pocket is...

[SmithStar]

At the club i play at there are two match table with pro style pocket sizes, one with the cloth from ronnie o sullivans world championship win, its unbelievably good...

[DawRef]

"Section 1, 1(c)(ii) The pocket openings shall conform tothe templates authorised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA)"

The late John Street quotes in his book:

There are 4 templates for checking the pocket sizes,two for the corner pockets and two for the centre ones. For the corners, one template measures the width of the pocket openings at the extreme top of the cushion ruber (nominally 3 1/2 inches at the fall) and the other template measures the degree of undercut permitted and the fall of the slate. The other templates perform the same functions at the four inch centre pockets. For a pocket opening to be cut correctly and conform to the templates, the opening should fit each template neatly. There should be no 'slap' or sideways movement.
A frequently used term is the 'fall of the pocket'. This is not defined in the Rule Book but it is the curved and rounded edge of the bed of the table forming the mouth of the pocket. The fall of the slate should not be short of the face of the template. Similarly, the 'undercut' is also not defined, but this is the cutaway portion of the cushion rubber around the pocket openings.

-------------------
All table fitters will, or should, have a set of these templates.

[poona]

Iv played on tables that if a hard shot was played to the centre of the pocket plate (either middle or corner pockets) the ball would bounce out.
I would be interested to read any comments on same.

The pockets/leathers on the newer Aristocrat tournament tables are designed (angled) to shoot the ball downwardly on impact.