Slower or faster table for practice?

[quintahunter]

I can choose between two tables in my club to practise (there's a third one but pockets are huge). I normally play in the slower one, as I thought I would have to "work harder" to create spins on the CB and improve much more. Is that positive or should I move to the faster table so as to concentrate less on the CB and more on the pot? I struggle to pot more than four consecutive balls.

Thanks in advance.

[Snookster]

If you have problem potting more than 4 balls in succession, then you should concentrate on centre cue ball striking, this will improve ur game the most.
To answer ur question, i would stick to the slower table and when ur cue ball control has improved with more consistent cueing then move on to the faster table, inaccurate cueing on a fast lightweight cloth will accentuate any unwanted side spin.
Hope this helps

[Terry Davidson]

Use the table with the bucket pockets as you will improve faster. You will learn to pot quicker and then be able to concentrate more on the positional side of your game.



Once you have the positional side mastered then play on the faster table



Terry
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Originally posted at Http://www.thesnookergym.com/forums

[Terry Davidson]

I answered this via thesnookergym but it must be delayed. My advice was to practice initially on the bucket pocket table until you learn how to pot because right now your concentration is totally on potting the ball.

Once you feel you are potting well then your concentration will shift to positional play. As you master that it won't matter what kind of pockets are on the table as you will always have an easy (ish) pot when you're on a break.

But an easy table helps you to master potting a lot more quickly. Then switch to the faster table as generally in tournaments they try and get the tables up to speed.

Terry

[quintahunter]

Thanks a lot!!

[The Doctor]

I one sense, a slower table could make you improve your power play, however, that should not be at the forefront of your tasks at the moment.
I would agree that you should be playing on reasonable size pockets and definitely not ones that are too tight(as this would harm your confidence)
I would say though, that you would be better off practising on a faster table. The reason for this is, a faster table will require better cuing, more control of pace, better cue ball striking(as the spin will be exaggerated) and will also require you to hit the cue ball softer.
If you play on a slow table, you would need to hit the ball harder, and in doing so there is more of a chance of moving on the shot, having a more jerky action and having less overall control of your game.
Hope this helps.

[damienlch]

not to mention it's so much more fun to play on a faster table where u can achieve the desired reaction off the cue ball quite effortlessly as compared to huffing and puffing at a slow table... also, there is a tendency to whack and jab at the cue ball on slow tables when you should be applying a smooth stroke and follow-through...

[Deepscrew]

Cant beat playing on a steel block match table with a new (or newish) cloth. So much easier to menouvre round the black spot or get up for the blue.

Normally play on a rug thats not been brushed for 6 months