9ft v 10ft

[Tam67]

Hello! First time poster here, looking for a bit of advice.

Moving house and have room for a table for the first time.

I think I know the answer in that I should go for a 9ft table.

Room dimensions are 5.77m x 4.70m.

Questions:
- Is that extra 33cm crucial in terms of not having a 10ft table.
- How much “better” is having a 10ft table than a 9ft table.


I am a “reasonable” player (30-50 breaks) so would like as close to the real thing as possible, but worry my enjoyment might be ruined by either needing a smaller cue at both (or one end) or having to raise the cue when on the top/bottom cushion.

All opinions welcome.

Thanks!

[trying]

I'd say 9ft. I think the room would be too tight for a 10ft. Nothing more annoying than hampered cueing around a table.

[philip in china]

I concur with that. The first table I owned was a 10' because I had space. A 9' will do you a lot of good. The difference between that and a 10, would be little enough.

[robbo mcs]

My opinion differs. A 10ft has much more space on the table, 23% more than a 9ft. That makes a big difference, and much closer playing experience to a full size. You have enough width, it is only the length the problem.

A long time ago I had a full size, and was around 30cm short in length. I made sure I had full clearance at the baulk end, as there are often safety shots right on baulk cushion, and you need to p,ay and practice those. That meant the black end was 30cm short. TBH it hardly ever mattered. How often do you play a shot from tight on the black cushion, aimed directly up the table? The answer is hardly ever. Most cushion shots at the end are more angled.

So for me, I would go for a 10ft if it was mainly for practice, where you can work around the cushion top end shots. If it is more for social play with friends, 9ft probably makes more sense, as it is harder to work around the short top end in competitive fames.