Adapting to different Playing conditions

[tomwalker147]

what are you used to? I still say as a rule of thumb I find the aristocrats to play slightly tighter than the Star tables. Both however a lot tighter than 99% of club tables.

Sorry I could have elaborated on that (I blame my customers wanting me to do some work!). I've played on a couple of Star's at our local club, Chris Wakelin's is crazy tight along the black cushion and when Matt Selt had his table in our club he had it made incredibly tight, apparently it'd help his game doing that.

I think the Star's at SWSA are generous compared to these two that i've practiced on.

[OmaMiesta]

SWSA has shimmed pockets on their stars compared to regulation stars, they are definitely a little easier to play on.

[dcrackers147]

what are you used to? I still say as a rule of thumb I find the aristocrats to play slightly tighter than the Star tables. Both however a lot tighter than 99% of club tables.

[tomwalker147]

As Terry touched on, just practice on as many different tables as you can. I actually find the Stars at SWSA to be quite generous compared to what i'm used to.

[dcrackers147]

Williams made back to back 147's against Duane Jones in practice last week and is an all time great...slight difference. Agree though close control and not letting the white ball get away from you is key. Also going into the pack is far more about penetration than power as the balls open really nicely.

[Derek P]

50 break standard is an average club player...you went onto a pro table and got found out. Happens to a lot better players than you so don't worry about it.

50 break standard I would say isn't average club player, average club player is probably a regular 20-30 breaker.
**** sakes Williams beat's pro's making regular 30-40 breaks so not everyone can expect that if your not a century break man then your a numpty he can obviously play a bit.

My advice is to accomodate yourself to playing on higher quality tables such as the conditions at SWSA.
A good player will always want a fast table as snooker should be all simple little stun and screw shots to hit the highest breaks most consistently if your used to playing with lot of top and screw and side on slower club tables you will 'get found out' as dcrackers147 says on a star or aristocrat table cos your biggest asset on those tables is a lazer like straight cue action and nice stun touch around the balls. Big movement shots like mega follow through, screw or use of side requires excellent striking on a fast match cloth and this is probably where your confidence eroded as any small element of off centre striking will be magnified on a match cloth.

Work on your close control game on these tables that is the key, stay off **** slow tables you'll butcher shots and get into the habit of hitting the ball far too hard when you try to go on a real table you'll overun and underhit everything.

[dcrackers147]

50 break standard is an average club player...you went onto a pro table and got found out. Happens to a lot better players than you so don't worry about it.

[Terry Davidson]

Conditions will always be different at different venues but I would say the SWSA probably has some of the best conditions around. our best bet is to play and practice in as many different venues as you can find. Join a league and also play in as many tournaments as you can.

Do not change your technique during a match.

[147_shark]

I always find it difficult to get going when playing on different tables. Some of the table playing surfaces are very quick some are slow while some really slowwwww. I was at the SWSA academy yesterday playing in a handicap event and found it difficult to adapt my game to the playing conditions (star tables). I am decent player and can hit the odd 50+ break. However, yesterday I found myself missing mid range shots and falling out of position. I then began changing my technique and started to loosen my grip, draw back / CB striking position and started to float the ball in. It worked for a moment or two but then my game / safety play / long range was all in tatters. I lost confidence in my game and felt it very much displaced. I know I shouldn't be changing my technique as this should remain consistent throughout. Any advice on how to cope with different playing conditions? Do you change your style of play? Is it just a case of getting used to the tables? Or do I stick with one playing surface to keep my game consistent? Thanks in advance.