The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Perfect Pool Table

Pool, or billiards, has been a popular game for hundreds of years. If you're looking to buy a pool table, there are a lot of options to choose from. The average cost of a pool table is around $3500, but prices vary. A budget table can cost as little as $500, while a fully customised table can cost as much as $20,000. When choosing a pool table, it's important to consider the materials used, the size of the table, and any aesthetic features. Some of the most well-known pool table manufacturers include Brunswick, Olhausen, Diamond, and Plank & Hide. These companies offer a range of styles, from modern to rustic, and use high-quality materials to ensure a great playing experience.

Slate vs. non-slate tables

When it comes to pool tables, one of the most critical decisions you'll make is whether to go for a slate or non-slate option. Slate and non-slate tables each have their own advantages and drawbacks, so let's take a closer look at both options to help you decide which one suits your needs.

Slate Pool Tables

Slate pool tables are known for their premium quality and exceptional playing surface. Made from natural slate rock, slate tables offer a perfectly flat and smooth surface, ensuring consistent ball roll and accurate shots. This superior craftsmanship makes slate tables a favourite among professional players and serious enthusiasts. Slate is also highly durable and can withstand heavy use, lasting for generations with proper care. Additionally, slate surfaces can be precision-levelled during installation, ensuring a perfectly flat playing field. However, slate tables are generally more expensive due to the high-quality material and the skilled installation process. They are also significantly heavier than non-slate tables, making them more challenging to move and install.

Non-Slate Pool Tables

Non-slate pool tables, on the other hand, are manufactured using materials like wood, MDF (medium-density fibreboard), or slatron. While they may not offer the exact precision of slate, modern non-slate tables have improved significantly in replicating the playing experience. Non-slate tables are often more affordable, making them accessible to a wider range of players, including recreational players and families. They are also lighter and easier to set up, making them a practical choice for locations where permanent installation isn't feasible. However, non-slate tables may not be as durable and could be prone to wear and tear over time. Additionally, they may require more attention to maintain ideal playing conditions in environments with extreme weather fluctuations.

In conclusion, the decision between slate and non-slate pool tables depends on various factors, including your budget, skill level, playing frequency, available space, and long-term goals. If you seek the ultimate playing experience, superior durability, and have a higher budget, a slate table is the ideal choice. On the other hand, if affordability, ease of installation, and versatility are your priorities, a non-slate table will perfectly suit your needs.

Budget-friendly options

Pool tables can be a great addition to your home, providing hours of fun for family and friends. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, here are some excellent choices:

Hathaway Pool Tables

Hathaway offers a range of affordable pool tables that are perfect for those on a budget. Their tables are available at major retailers like Home Depot and Walmart, with prices ranging from $600 to $2,000. While the lower-end tables are made from engineered wood and melamine, they still offer a sturdy option for casual players.

The Hathaway Mirage Pool Table, priced at $724.92, is a great choice for those who want to add a pool table to their home without breaking the bank. The Hathaway Augusta Pool Table, priced at $1,531.90, offers a more elegant style and comes with a full set of sticks and balls. If you're looking for a table that's easy to move and store, the Hathaway Fairmont Portable 6-Ft Pool Table, priced at $439, is a fantastic option. It features durable steel legs that easily fold, making it perfect for small spaces, vacations, and family gatherings.

Playcraft Pool Tables

Playcraft offers a range of pool tables catering to different budgets and space constraints. The Playcraft Sport Bank Shot Pool Table, priced at just $75, is an excellent choice for parents and children. It comes with all the necessary accessories and has MDF construction. For a more premium experience, the Playcraft Monaco 7' and 8' Slate Pool Table with Dining Top offers a classy and versatile addition to your game room.

GoSports Pool Tables

GoSports offers a range of budget-friendly pool tables in various sizes, including 6, 7, and 8 feet. Their tables are highly rated, with an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars, and are available on Amazon. The GoSports 7 ft Pool Table with Wood Finish is a stylish option, including two cue sticks, balls, a rack, felt brush, and chalk.

American Legend Pool Tables

The American Legend Maverick 7-Foot Billiard Table is a great option for those with a limited budget, priced at under $1,000. It features adjustable legs for level play and comes with a table brush, cues, and chalk. While some reviewers note that the felt feels cheap, it's still a good choice for casual players.

RACK Pool Tables

RACK offers a range of budget-friendly pool tables, including the RACK Stark Pool Table and the RACK Leo Pool Table. The Stark model is perfect for beginners and families, with a balanced design that prevents it from falling over. The Leo model is a space-saving, folding table with a lightweight yet sturdy construction. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.

Costzon Billiard Pool Table

The Costzon Billiard Pool Table is an affordable and superb quality table that children will love. It features a green nylon cloth centre surrounded by black leather, giving it a stylish look. Priced at $169.99, it comes with all the necessary accessories, including a triangle rack, cues, a brush, resin balls, and cue balls.

EastPoint Sports Masterton Billiard Pool Table

The EastPoint Sports Masterton Billiard Pool Table is perfect for families, as it can be placed in a basement or room for everyone to enjoy. It features a smooth surface that allows for faster gameplay and comes with all types of accessories, including cues, balls, a triangle, and a brush. Priced at $549.99, it's a great option for those seeking an affordable and feature-rich pool table.

Customisation options

Brunswick, for example, offers a long list of customisation options. You can select everything from the cloth colour to the leg style and pocket design. Their pool tables are made to order, highly sought after, and one of the more expensive brands on the market.

Olhausen is another company that offers a broad range of customisation options. Their Build Your Own Table (BYOT) Tool allows you to select the model, table finish, rail, apron, leg, pocket, and cloth.

Connelly Billiards also offers many customisation options, including a wide range of finishes, pocket styles, sizes, and felt colours.

If you're looking for something truly unique, Kingswood Leisure creates stunning one-off pool tables. They regularly create tables to match specific interior schemes or branding, and they offer a collection of table models that can be customised to your specifications. You can choose from various cloth colours, print a logo or design, or even design a specific cabinet colour or finish.

Plank & Hide is another company that offers luxury indoor and outdoor pool tables with unique styles and customisation options.

When choosing a custom pool table, it's important to consider not only the aesthetics but also the functionality. A great pool table should not only look good but also perform well.

Different table sizes

Pool tables come in a variety of sizes, with the standard sizes being 7 feet, 8 feet, 8.5 feet, and 9 feet in length. The width of the table is determined by the 2-to-1 ratio, which means the length of the table must be twice its width. For example, a 9-foot regulation table is 4.5 feet wide and 9 feet long, while an 8-foot regulation table is 4 feet wide and 8 feet long.

The size of the pool table you choose will depend on the amount of space you have available and the type of gameplay experience you are looking for. If you have limited space, a 7-foot table, also known as a "bar box" table, might be a good option. These tables are commonly found in bars and pool halls and are perfect for casual players or for practising at home if you want the same size field as in your local bar.

If you have more space available, an 8-foot table is considered the 'professional' size and will provide a better playing experience. For an even more challenging game, you could opt for a 9-foot table, which is the size used in professional tournaments and will allow you to develop your playing skills further.

When choosing a pool table size, it is important to consider not only the size of the table but also the length of the pool cues and the amount of space you will need around the table to play comfortably. You should ensure you have enough room to manoeuvre the cue and take your shots without feeling cramped or hindered. Using a standard 58-inch cue, the minimum room sizes for each table size are as follows:

• 7-foot table: 13 feet x 16 feet
• 8-foot table: 13.6 feet x 17 feet
• 8.5-foot table: 13.6 feet x 17.6 feet
• 9-foot table: 14 feet x 18 feet

If you are using a shorter cue, such as a 48-inch or 52-inch cue, you can get away with a smaller room size. For example, an 8-foot table would require a minimum room size of 144 inches x 186 inches when using a 48-inch cue.

The best brands

There are several brands of pool tables that are well-known and highly regarded. Here are some of the best brands in the market:

Brunswick

Brunswick Corporation, based in Metawa, Illinois, is the first pool table manufacturer in the US. They are known for using high-quality materials in their tables, including hardwood, professional-grade fabric, and 1-inch-thick slate. Brunswick tables are made-to-order and offer a wide range of customisation options, making them one of the more expensive brands. Their pool tables cater to both casual and serious players, with prices ranging from $2,900 to over $12,000.

Olhausen

Olhausen is a leading manufacturer of pool tables, with over 300 dealers worldwide. They offer a wide range of options, using premium materials such as slate, frame, rails, and cushions. Olhausen tables are known for their craftsmanship and attention to detail, with prices ranging from $5,000 to $6,000. Their tables come in various styles, including contemporary, tournament, traditional, and rustic, ensuring there is an Olhausen table to suit any game room.

Diamond Billiard Products

Diamond Billiard Products is a preferred provider for sanctioned pool tournaments. Their tables are designed with pros in mind, featuring precision engineering and strict adherence to professional standards. Diamond tables are renowned for their durability and have been used in over 100 major tournaments. Their prices range from $5,995 to $11,495, catering to those seeking a table for tournament practice.

Presidential Billiards

Presidential Billiards, based in Houston, offers a diverse range of styles and uses exotic wood species in their tables. They partner with Zimbabwe-based Wilson International, giving them access to a broad range of hardwoods. Their tables feature 1-inch slate and natural gum rubber for the rails, putting them on par with professional-level tables. Presidential Billiards tables are priced between $4,000 and $7,000.

Plank & Hide

Plank & Hide is a luxury brand that offers indoor and outdoor recreation equipment, including pool tables. Their tables are known for their unique style, quality craftsmanship, and playability. Plank & Hide tables feature 1-inch-thick slate, K66 gum rubber cushions, and hardwood construction. Their tables are priced between $4,000 and $6,000, catering to those seeking a high-end option.

Imperial Pool Tables

Imperial Pool Tables offers one of the most extensive collections of pool tables on the market, ranging from traditional to modern styles. They are known for their excellent build quality, featuring K66 bumpers, 1-inch-thick slate, and solid wood construction. Imperial tables are highly customisable and use various wood species, including Douglas fir, ash, acacia, and maple. Their tables are priced between $1,949 and $6,499, catering to a range of budgets.

Frequently asked questions