Sams narrow with 3 pin or 4 pin

[Stuart Grennan]

Hi all,

I have previously had a standard table, but currently looking at a Sams narrow table, which raises the following questions for me:

- is 3 pin really practical on a narrow table
- how is it moving from 3 to 4 pin

Interested in any very subjective views  .

In terms of local tables, I am little spoilt, as I live on north Lincs, there is a 3 pin league in York or 4 pins in Lincoln. However, both are about an hour away from me so would like to have a set up at home.

Given the recent price rises in table I am just so gutted that I sold my previous 2 tables, but house moves required funds.

Any thoughts really appreciated.

Stuart

[tommo III]

Hi Stuart,
Yes I remember the previous threads and discussions on your former two tables, one from memory a Burroughs and Watts.
Yes, since Covid in 2019 which stopped everyone playing competitively for 18 months, the price of a table seems to have rocketed by 100% and, shortly before, the price of a game was put up by the Sussex table operator to £2. (He's since sold all his stock).

Regarding your choice of 3 pin v 4 pin, as you may have suspected, it's virtually impossible to play a decent game of 3 pin on a narrow table.
However, if you are planning to play 4 pin competitively, the narrow would best suit your needs as the tables used for the World 4-Pin (held in Suffolk each March) are all narrow.

Many of us have taken to this version of the game, seeing it as a 'new challenge'. And it does tend to level the playing field by avoiding the situation where a top star plays the table out using just 3 holes and not giving the opponent a go !

Regards,
tommo
 

[Stuart Grennan]

Thanks Tommo and you have an excellent memory. I am still gutted that I sold the B&W, it was a fantastic table. I am intrigued by 4 pin as an alternative but have only played this a few times (around 30 years ago).

Excellent last point, which could make 4 pin more interesting for a table at home.


Stuart