I don’t know what to think about this, but it seems that the big tournaments are held on a bar box more and more. There was a time when the pros would not compete on a small table with big pockets.
Today, you see big money added and players coming from all over the world. The US Open Bar Box Tournament has attracted a group from the Philippines and New Zealand along with other countries.
My concern is that the game is not the same when played on a bar box.
There are a lot of adjustments you have to make. One is the angle towards the pocket. They are generally sharper than the big table, and you cannot get by with any kind of “push” in your stroke.
Therefore, you must have a better stroke on a bar box. On this shot here[see featured article image] for instance, it is easy to bring the cue ball back to the spot on a big table. Not so easy on a bar box.
This is my warm up drill for tournament preparation. On the big table I can bring it back to the spot with a nice, firm, committed, dig in punch stroke with outside English. My stroke actually helps me pocket the ball.
On the bar box, I must use a snip draw and load it up with a strong firm drive-through stroke. Not so easy to pocket the ball with this stroke. However, with a lot of practice you can master this exercise on a bar box.
The point being, we approach shots in a different way from nine foot to seven foot tables. It becomes a different game.
I wish you all the luck in the world as you pursue this great game.
I now have my Road Player Training Program redesigned and affordable to all. Please go on my website and click on Road Players Training.
Tim “The Monk” Miller has been serving the world of billiards as an educator for over 30 years, and has worked with top players worldwide. He’s written 20 books—selling more than a quarter of a million copies—and has produced countless DVDs. While currently touring the US, he makes his home in the Philippines where he does charity work and is building The Monk Billiard Academy. He will be returning there in November—when his US tour is done—so don’t miss out on your chance to improve your game with The Monk, summer 2015! Photo: Provided by author Editor: Hannah Blue