63 centuries and counting... (sponsors triggering WSA to widen pockets?)

[RGCirencester]

Shaun was genuinely appauled that it went in. The look on his face said it all

[hegeland]

I just watched it again and I'd say it's more like 4 feet!

[RocketRoy1983]

I just watched it again and I'd say it's more like 4 feet!

Are you able to copy/paste a link hege so i can take a look?

[RGCirencester]

I did think i was under exagerating actually. But i figured nope it must be in my mind, it cant have been that bad. Ive just been trying to find it but cant

[hegeland]

I've just uploaded it on YouTube, might take a little while before it's available.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUos3KsVdb4

look at 2:17!

[RocketRoy1983]

I've just uploaded it on YouTube, might take a little while before it's available.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUos3KsVdb4

look at 2:17!

yeah unavailable at present but ill try again later/tomorrow. Top effort thank you.

[RGCirencester]

Thank you... now hurry up and be available i want to see it again.... My nightmares obviously arn't vivid enough

[hegeland]

Now here's a few pictures... just look at this!

vlcsnap-352467.jpg

vlcsnap-352670.jpg

vlcsnap-354246.jpg

[RocketRoy1983]

Just commented on it on youtube. It started off almost tight on the cushion so it shows that the cushions werent ideal. Cant believe that went in!!

YOUR 'AVIN A LARF...YOUR 'AVIN A LARF THAT WAS NO WHERE NEAR...(WT)

[RGCirencester]

That ones definately not in at our club even. Did you see how confused murphy looked? And I told you i wasnt exagerating roy!

[Mike P]

The funny thing with Murphy’s pink was that it did not even drift back towards the pocket. The knuckle did all the work, even though the angle was wrong to pull it in.

I watched Hendry’s maximum and the combination on the red (point 49)that went in, was right up there with Murphy’s pink. I was in such disbelief that I replayed the shot and paused when the red was about to hit the knuckle. I know that my table would be considered to have tight pockets, but even the bucket for pocket tables I’ve experienced, would have spit that one out. I have a hard time believing that the knuckles were not tampered with. Like someone else said, the only positive is that both players have the same conditions.

Mike

[RocketRoy1983]

Yes I remember the 7th red that Hendry potted on his way to his maximum and how that one dropped ill never know although im glad it did!!

[JamesFoster]

I have to say that the modern day Clothes are much finer than the old days. This means that the Cue Ball will travel further with the same amount of power. If you look at videos of Alex Higgins, Steve Davis, Jimmy White etc on youtube you can see that it used to be much more difficult to split the reds with the black or the blue. This is why the top players used to pick off any loose reds before entering the pack. Also it is far easier today to play against the Nap.

[Odrl]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltnuqK4gHnQ

Here's a shot from this year's Masters, O'Sullivan's red along the cushion at 1:00. I've always thought that red had no business going in, but Murphy's pink was on another level.

[The Statman]

Like Monique earlier, I'm no expert, but I would conjecture this:

I have no doubt that, dimensionally, the pockets measure identically to previous years. However, there are many factors besides the actual measurements that affect a pocket's generosity.

Firstly, the amount of undercut (i.e. the amount by which a ball can get 'under' the cushion face, in effect widening the pocket opening). However, I believe undercut is templated as well as actual pocket size.

The speed and thickness of the cloth will have a great effect, too.

It is an obvious fact that a ball aimed slightly towards a jaw, travelling slowly, is far more likely to be potted than a ball hit harder in exactly the same direction.

Since the tables are so fast, it is conceivable that, since players do not have to hit the balls so hard, they are more likely to still achieve the pot.

Hendry's 147 final black, for instance, would probably have still gone in on a table of 5 years ago. Except that, 5 years ago, Hendry may not have been so comfortable hitting it that softly – so would not have played the shot the same and it may well therefore not have dropped.

All this is, as I say, purely conjecture on my part and I have no expertise in this area. However, it seems logical to me and, at the end of the day, the tournament is about comparing players during the same fortnight and not different matches in different years so, as long as the conditions are the same for all players, there isn't a great deal to be upset about. Each player has the same margin for error, albeit an arguably bigger one than in previous years, so no real problem.