Buying a pool table for your house or business is a huge investment. Since it is used for the long term and an excellent addition to your valuables, you cannot take an impulse decision while choosing one. There are many factors you have to take into account before investing in a pool table. Similar to expensive cars, pool tables come with all sorts of whistles and belts to consider.
Whether you are a leisure participant, somebody who would like to level up their game, or possibly a league participant, the pool table is where everything begins. So, this guide will provide you will nuggets of information to help you facilitate your pool table hunt.
What Type of Pool Table is Right For You?
English Tables
The standard size of an English tournament table is 6 or 7 feet, which is commonly found in nightclubs and bars. Their balls are smaller in size, i.e., 2 inches in diameter, and on a coin-operated table, the cue ball is 1⅞ inch. Since the size of balls is in direct proportion to the pockets, these pool tables don’t need too much surface to play on. Thus, English pool tables are ideal for people that are short on a place.
American Pool Tables
With bigger balls and bigger pockets, American tables are usually bigger in size, ranging from 7 feet to 9.5 feet. Since their standard tournament size is 9 feet, they are not considered a good fit for most homes. That’s why people prefer Americal pool tables of 8 feet in length, which has become their most popular size. Besides, 7 feet tables are prevalent in many pool halls in America as they cover less space.
Pool Dining Tables
Pool dining tables are also called pool diners that allow you to lay a matching hard top onto them when you want to use them for eating, entertainment, or working. Thus, these tables are mostly equipped for home use. The length and depth of this type of table are ideated in such a way that you can easily have dinner on it using regular dining chairs. Besides, you can remove the top, keep it in a safe place, and set up a match whenever you want a game of pool.
Pool diners are the best option for people who don’t have enough space to accommodate a standard pool table. Currently, a plethora of designs is available in the market to fit a variety of home decors in several different finishes.
Commercial Pool Tables
If you want people to pay you for using your pool table, then commercial models are the best choice as they are available in various styles and systems. The most common system is the straight-six coin handling system, enabling you to select the price and the types of coins to be accepted. The customers just have to put the coins in the tray and push the lever toward the table. Thus, the balls will be released once the mechanism accepts the coins.
If the straight-six mechanism is not a good fit for you, then you can incline toward upgraded coin-operated tables that offer coin handling. These pool tables are designed to accept different kinds of denominations and are reinforced with a push button to start. A more advanced level coin-operated system will allow you to set hourly or daily rates and also come with the feature to change automatically when required.
What are the Styles of Pool Tables?
Vintage
These are the basic pool tables that your grandparents grew up playing and have been in existence for decades. They are typically covered in classic red or green felt and possess a wooden framework. The legs of this table have classic styling and pattern that you may see on elderly tables or chairs.
Contemporary
The contemporary tables have sport bold colors, polished black finishes, and look excellent in a home game room. These pool tables have various designs of cloth covers engraved with the emblems of sport teams, making it easier for you to personalize your model and match it with your interior decor.
Modern
Modern pool tables are a bit darker though some models have more natural wood tones, allowing the elegance of the finished grain to become noticeable. These updated pool tables have great aesthetics and add some visual weight to your place. If you choose a modern-style table, make sure the color of its felt matches your room decor so that your pool table fits seamlessly.
Though pool tables are available in many other styles, these are the most common yet popular styles that most people prefer.
What are the Other Factors You Should Consider When Purchasing a Pool Table?
Slate
A pool table made with slate has no match. Slate is basically a shale or stone that is minded, quarried, sliced, and leveled into sleek horizontal sheets ideal for cue sports or pool. Common alternatives to slate are fiberboard, permaslate, slatron, and plywood, but none can match the level of smooth experience offered by slate.
Pool Table Legs
Pool tables typically have two types of legs: post legs and industry-standard legs. The post legs are made of solid wood pieces from the slate. These are reliable legs that will last long and won’t affect your gameplay experience over time. On the other hand, industry-standard legs further have two types.
The first is a single anchor system that uses a combination of a single bolt and nut. These legs will loosen as time progresses and impact your gaming experience negatively. The other type is the quad anchor system that has a combination of four bolts and nuts, making it better and more secure than the single anchor system.
Bed Cloth
The two most frequent materials used for manufacturing the primary structure of a pool table are MDF and futon. The cost of tables created with these materials varies significantly based on the price of its raw material.
If you are a serious pool player and have a good budget, opt for the futon pool desk. However, you can turn to the MDF pool desk if you are a beginner and have a tight budget.
Final Words
Pool tables are worth the investment. In this guide, we have provided you with all the necessary information you need to purchase the best pool table. All you have to do is keep these factors, styles, and types in mind while comparing different models and spending your money on the one that suits your requirements and preferences.
Pool Table FAQ
Q: How to know whether my pool table is slate or not?
A: Though many pool tables are non-slate, i.e., made of perma-slate or slatron, the best surface for a pool table is slate as it keeps your table durable and long-lasting. To determine whether your pool table is slate or not, look under the table, and you will find all the information related to it.
Q: How can I protect my pool table?
A: You can protect your pool table using a heavy-duty cover. It will not only fend off sunlight and dust but also maintain its polish for years.
Q: How frequently should I refelt a pool table?
A: If you play pool every day, you can estimate the felt to last about three years. However, most people prefer to change the felt long before it is worn out.