Canadian Snooker Table: CanadaBilliards or Olhausen?

[wlorcb]

I know this is primarily a UK site, but I'm sure a lot of people are either in NA or have an opinion.

After much debate with SWMBO, we have decided on a 5x10 snooker table. A 6x12 would have had 46" on each side and 50" at each end, with unlimited side clearance from the blue down to the black end, and it was felt that changing cues all the time would get old fast.

So the question is, which, if either is better: Olhausen or CanadaBilliards.

thank you for your input

[Danos]

Hello there. I have been playing snooker on and off for 30 years, and I recently returned to Canada from abroad and purchased a Canada Billiards Supreme snooker table.
I wanted a Joy Chinese 8-ball table (much cheaper, better made and closer to a proper snooker table, in my opinion), but only have a room big enough for a 8'x4' table,
and the Joy tables only come in 4.5'x9'. From what I have heard, direct from the distributor, Olhausen does not make snooker tables, per-se, but rather shaves the cushions
of its pool tables to make them appear similar to snooker tables. Canada Billiard, on the other hand, does install proper snooker rails, cushions and pockets. My table cost
me $10,000 with tax, and I was pleased with the table; however, the fitting was appalling. The fitter did a sloppy job on the pockets (the cloth, wood and leather are not
flush), installed the middle pockets at inconsistent heights, and literally cut a chunk of leather off one of the middle pockets. Canada Billiard has been good about offering me
new pockets and rails, no charge, however I have to wait until March to get them. Play-wise, the table is fine. It does not have steel-block cushions though, which one might
expect for the price. Have you considered a 4.5'x9' Chinese 8-ball table? Check out the website for Joy Billiards. They are more similar to proper snooker tables, in my opinion,
than are the Canada Billiard tables. Cheers.

[Danos]

Another thing I should add about the Canada Billiard table, is that I had to pay extra to have the table made without sights on the rails. If you don't ask for that,
your snooker table will arrive with sights on the rails, as all the pieces are mass produced and most customers in North America buy pool tables.

[DeanH]

Canadian Snooker Table: CanadaBilliards or Olhausen?

"sights on the rails"
can you explain this please

[Danos]

Sorry, perhaps that was not the correct choice of words. I just meant the three diamonds or dot marks that are
embedded in the surface of the wooden rails. Snooker tables typically do not have them, but pool tables do, at
least in my experience.

[Cue crafty]

Sorry, perhaps that was not the correct choice of words. I just meant the three diamonds or dot marks that are
embedded in the surface of the wooden rails. Snooker tables typically do not have them, but pool tables do, at
least in my experience.

Some old English tables have these, a couple of the thurstons tables at my club have small ivory or possibly mother of pearl spots about 5mm dia, spaced two per rail I think.

[Danos]

That's interesting. I've never played on an English table that has them. The old Brunswick tables I played on as a teenager had them,
but I think those tables are/were made in the US, so I always figured it was an American thing. I'm not sure if they help with playing
snooker, but I never liked the look of them on a snooker table

[DeanH]

Sorry, perhaps that was not the correct choice of words. I just meant the three diamonds or dot marks that are
embedded in the surface of the wooden rails. Snooker tables typically do not have them, but pool tables do, at
least in my experience.

I thought that was what you meant, thanks for the confirmation

Some old English tables have these, a couple of the thurstons tables at my club have small ivory or possibly mother of pearl spots about 5mm dia, spaced two per rail I think.

I asked GeoffL about these but don't think he replied; one of the tables down my club has white (ivory) spots, and one has black (ebony) spots embedded in the rails, to me they are not "sighting spots" but seem to be aligned with the longitudinal centre line, and also where the baulk line and the pink spot are. Maybe as quick reference for the cloth fitter

[Danos]

Hi Dean. I agree, that "sights" seems strange. I've always wondered, "How do you use these to 'sight up' a shot, anyways?" To me,
the only points of reference used when playing a shot are the cue ball, object ball, and exact spot you're aiming for, whether that
be a point on the cushion, a pocket, and so on. I've never understood how other reference points (i.e. sights on the rails) come into
play or help in any way. However, here in North America, these diamond and spot marks are indeed referred to as rail sights. Perhaps
the term "sight" has a different meaning, as you suggest, for the cloth fitter. Maybe some pool players will know how these things
work, or if they are indeed even necessary and not just cosmetic.

[Cue crafty]

Hi Dean. I agree, that "sights" seems strange. I've always wondered, "How do you use these to 'sight up' a shot, anyways?" To me,
the only points of reference used when playing a shot are the cue ball, object ball, and exact spot you're aiming for, whether that
be a point on the cushion, a pocket, and so on. I've never understood how other reference points (i.e. sights on the rails) come into
play or help in any way. However, here in North America, these diamond and spot marks are indeed referred to as rail sights. Perhaps
the term "sight" has a different meaning, as you suggest, for the cloth fitter. Maybe some pool players will know how these things
work, or if they are indeed even necessary and not just cosmetic.

Found some useful info here :-

https://www.libertygames.co.uk/pool-diamond-system/

[Cue crafty]

[/QUOTE=DeanH;972489] I asked GeoffL about these but don't think he replied; one of the tables down my club has white (ivory) spots, and one has black (ebony) spots embedded in the rails, to me they are not "sighting spots" but seem to be aligned with the longitudinal centre line, and also where the baulk line and the pink spot are. Maybe as quick reference for the cloth fitter [/QUOTE]

I'd be interested to know Dean if you ever find out.

[DeanH]

I never did, and the two tables at the club mentioned earlier have now had new rails added by Thurston, so I cant check, but I am sure they were not "sighting" but locating aids for the table fitter

[Danos]

Interesting. So there is a purpose after all. If professional pool players swear by them, they must be useful.
I guess their use just doesn't translate into game of snooker, the dynamics of which are quite different. I still
think they look out of place on a snooker table though :P

[Cue crafty]

So looking properly tonight, the spots on the rails are:-

Top and bottom rail - dead centre spot line
Top table side rails - baulk line
Below centre from baulk side rails(weird one) about 2 inches below pink spot??? All made sense till this one.

Can't sleep now..... Lol!

[DeanH]

Canadian Snooker Table: CanadaBilliards or Olhausen?

I think the one down near the pink is in case you want to change the baulk end.