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How to Buy A Pool Table
By Phil Callighan with Rick Phillips
Playing pool is not only a great family activity; the table on which it is played is also a
large, distinctive piece of furniture in your home.
 But before you start playing eight-ball, cutthroat or solids and stripes, taking time to
review some differences in table materials and construction can save you time and trouble down
the road and make your purchase a longlasting investment.
Your first consideration needs to be room size. A regulation-sized pool table is
one whose width is half the size of its length. The industry commonly refers to 7-,
8- and 9-foot long tables. However, the external dimensions of the tables are
actually a bit larger. Ideally, your room will permit a 5 ¾-foot clearance around the
table perimeter to accommodate pool cues and accessories. Cue sticks range in size
from 48 to 57 inches.
Generally, rooms between 11.5 feet by 14.5 feet will handle the shortest length tables
when using small cue sticks. A room measuring 14 feet by 18 feet can handle the longer tables
and bigger cues.
Don’t guess at the size of your room. Measure your room and write down the dimensions
before going shopping.
Among the differences in pool tables are style and wood type; table slate; frames; rail
construction; sights; frame construction; table aprons; and pockets.
Tables are usually produced from three different types of materials: 1)
Mica laminate or vinyl melamine coating, 2) Veneer laminate or 3) Solid
wood.
 Solid wood is the best because it offers a variety of style choices and will
outlast the others. Mica or vinyl tables cannot be stained and therefore come in
a limited number of colors. Along with veneer laminates, they also have
particleboard, MDF board or laminated layers of solid wood underneath the
finish. This indicates the manufacturer is building a less expensive table, so they will often use
cheaper materials for pockets, playing surface and less expensive construction.
Beware of salespeople selling an “all wood” table. “All wood” typically means it is
largely constructed of particleboard or MDF board, rather than “solid wood.”
The best tables have 3-piece, 1-inch thick Italian or Brazilian slate. Three-piece slate
allows for more precise leveling. 1-inch thick slate is the only slate approved for tournament play
by the Billiard Congress of America.
Better tables also feature solid hardwood frames rather than wood laminates, rails bolted
through the slate with the nuts inside the rail and contoured cushions.
If the legs, table wood or laminate don’t match throughout, it is a warning
signal that the support underneath the table may be cheaply made.
Now turn your attention to the pockets. Are they made of cast-iron or
aluminum? Cast-iron pockets are the strongest and are least likely to break when
people sit on the corner pocket.
 Leather or rubber-coated pockets last much longer than plastic pockets that
can break down over time. A key difference in leather pockets is whether their color is a result of
dyeing or painting. Dyed leather is preferable. Painted leather will scuff more easily when a cue
is dragged across a pocket – creating a very worn look in a short period of time.
When buying your pool table, you should also consider the reputation of the seller and
insist on professional delivery and installation. Ensuring a level playing surface cannot be
compromised.
Because buying a pool table is a major purchase, buy a name-brand table if you can
afford it. Remember, you always get what you pay for.
Top 5 Things to Know:
1. Know your room size and where you want to locate your table.
2. Allow extra space for cues, and accessories.
3. Be cautious of tables where the legs, wood or finish don’t match, as the construction is
likely of poor quality.
4. Buy a name brand table if you can afford it.
5. Insist on professional delivery and installation from a reputable dealer.
About the Authors:
Phil Callighan is Senior Account Executive and Marketing Director for Knorr Marketing
(www.knorrmarketing.com), a full-service advertising, marketing and PR agency headquartered
in Traverse City, Michigan. A member of the Public Relations Society of America, he is the
author of numerous how-to articles and case stories covering a wide variety of topics.
Rick Phillips is President of Phillips Lifestyles, Inc., the largest
retailer of hot tubs, fireplaces and billiards in northern Michigan.
© Copyright 2005 Phillips Lifestyles™
This article previously appeared in The Gaylord Herald Times
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