The game of billiards; more commonly called pool, is a cue sport that involves billiard balls and cue sticks). The first recorded indoor table was made for King Louise XI and was made popular by French aristocrats by the 1700s. Now, of course, they can be found in bars, pool halls, and homes all across the globe.
Pools tables are a wonderful addition to any billiard or game room. They are great for bringing crowds together and are a lovely conversation piece. Finding the right one for your space is important. There are a few things to consider before you jump headfirst into your purchase. Things such as size, style, material, and price. Pool tables are major investments on the family heirloom level and can range in price from $900 – $5,000 plus.
With that type of investment, it is important to know what to look for when making a purchase; especially for beginners. We’ve put together a few useful tips from the pros to help you in your quest of buying a pool table.
Quality
You want a table that’s been constructed with the best quality possible for your price range. Look for things like hardwood in the construction, the quality of the felt, support beams, and slate that have ¾ inch of backing with supportive wood. You want your pool table to last a long time so quality is of the utmost importance. Be sure to check it thoroughly before payment. Doing so will give you a long-lasting pool table that can endure constant use.
Leveling
A level surface is important during play. A good quality pool table should come with levelers. You should check these when making your purchase. You can adapt though and use whatever you have on hand to help level the table. It is better though to have these already built-in. If you choose properly, you won’t have to worry about playing billiards with an uneven table.
Felt or Cloth
These days, billiard tables felt or cloth is made of a mix of wool and nylon which is coated in Teflon. There is also another option made of wool. These factors will determine the speed and traction of play. It is best to pick a material suited to your style of playing. You want something that is between 18-22 ounces in weight per yard. This will increase the longevity of your pool table playing surface. At the same time, the quality of your playing experience will be preserved.
Cushions and railings
Cushions or rails are made from synthetic materials, gum or gum blends. You want to go for a table that uses gum for the railings as this will last for as long as you own the table. They generally have a better bounce and thus you can get a more accurate and predictable response from them. Synthetic materials can wear down over time dry out and lose their bounce.
Pockets
The pockets should be made of a soft rubber material that has some give to it. Harder materials can crack and break. If you want something that can last a lifetime, the material should be strong enough to handle the billiards but soft enough to move with them and be flexible. In this way, these pockets can survive longer than you expect.
Size
The size is also something to consider when buying your pool table. For beginners, it is recommended to start with a 6ft table or even a mini table which is smaller than this standard size. If you’re wanting to purchase a table for a bar a 7ft is ideal and is great for amateurs. An 8ft is the standard size for homeowners and is known as the “home eight”. The 9ft table is for tournaments and more serious pleasure. The professionals behind Pool Table Master say that when buying a pool table make sure that you have enough available space. You don’t want to be hindered by walls or ceilings during the game. It’s also best to have it installed by professionals; generally the people you make your purchase with. You want it done right and done right the first time.
Owning a pool table whether for personal use or your establishment can be a lot of fun and bring some liveliness to a room. Make sure to consider the space you want to put it in, what your budget is, and your level of play. All of these things can strongly determine what you end a purchasing. If you have doubts reference these useful tips to help you along the way.
