Are you thinking about buying a pool table?
These are some questions to ask yourself before you buy a quality pool table.
1) WHAT SIZE ROOM DO YOU HAVE?
2) WHAT SIZE POOL TABLE ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?
3) IN WHICH ROOM WILL YOUR POOL TABLE BE INSTALLED ?
4) ARE THERE STAIRS INVOLVED IN THE INSTALLATION?
5) WHAT CITY WILL YOUR POOL TABLE BE INSTALLED?
6) WHO WILL BE PLAYING ON YOUR POOL TABLE?
7) ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ANTIQUE OR CONTEMPORY STYLE?
8) ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOLID WOOD?
9) HOW IMPORTANT IS PLAYABILITY TO YOU? SLATE OR NON-SLATE?
10) IS THERE A BUDGET OR PRICE RANGE YOU HAVE IN MIND?
These are questions that need to be answered before you go out and purchase the pool table you have always dreamed about.
Let’s go over the questions one by one.
1.) WHAT SIZE ROOM DO YOU HAVE?
Do you have enough room for a pool table? Pool tables range in size from 3 X6, 3 ½ X 7, 4 X 8 home, 4 X 8 commercial, 4 1/2X 9, 5 X 10 and 6 X 12. Pool table manufacturers make pool tables in different sizes to accommodate various size rooms. The most popular size pool table today is the 4 X 8′ home size with a play field of 44 X 88. The 7’ pool table is the bar room size and the 9’ is considered the tournament size. All pool tables are regulation size as long as the width is twice the length. This is where the mathematics of a pool table comes into play. A pool table is a mathematical equation. Measure your room size to see if it will accommodate a pool table
2.) WHAT SIZE POOL TABLE ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?
Your room size will determine which pool table will fit into your room. If you have a large room you will have to decide what size pool table you want. How much do you play? What other fun items do you want to include in your room? Remember on a smaller 7’ table when you break the balls the balls stay together more and you need to be more proficient at moving the cue ball around the table to get a shot at your next object ball. On a larger 9’ pool table the long shots are much harder to make. The home size 4 X 8′ is a great all around size and this is the size I recommend. You will achieve a good all around game that is challenging and give you hours of enjoyment. Great for young and old alike.
3.) IN WHICH ROOM WILL YOUR POOL TABLE BE INSTALLED?
In the Eastern half of the U.S. most pool tables go into basements. In the Western States, where most homes do not have basements, pool tables are found in either the den or a converted garage. In the past 10 years, we have installed a large number of pool tables in living rooms. Several pool table models can be converted into dining tables and found in dining rooms. These convertible tables can also be used in offices as conference tables. Whichever room you choose make sure you have enough room around the table to enjoy the game… It’s better to have a smaller table and be able to use regulation cues than to have a larger table and use shorter cues. When determining the correct pool table size a rule of thumb is; 5’ around a pool table is ideal. If you’re unsure if a pool table will fit correctly into your room, please contact your local dealer and see if they will come out to your house and give you their expert opinion as to which room they would suggest.
4.) ARE THERE STAIRS INVOLVED IN THE INSTALLATION?
If stairs are involved make sure the pool table you are about to buy comes apart or breaks down. Some pool tables do NOT disassemble and you will not be able to get your table in either the basement or possibility up a flight of stairs. On some tables, the legs will come off but the frame will not come apart. Make sure to tell your sales person that you have stairs or you want your new pool table installed in your basement, so that they will bring additional installers that can carry your heavy pool to it’s desired location. Remember most pool tables weigh between 800 and 1200 pounds.
5.) WHAT CITY WILL YOUR POOL TABLE BE INSTALLED?
How far do we need to travel to install your pool table? This is very important to your dealer with the cost of labor and the price of gas today. How many miles are you located from the store? Sometimes different size trucks are used to install pool tables depending on where they are going. We use vans when we are installing pool tables in downtown condominiums as parking is very difficult and at a premium.
6.) WHO WILL BE PLAYING ON YOUR POOL TABLE?
Who will be using the pool table? Will the pool table receive normal wear and tear or will it receive hard play? Kids or adults? These are questions to ask yourself before you purchase a pool table. Make sure the pool table you buy does not move when you lean up against it. The billiard fabric you choose to put on your pool table will make a different in how long your billiard fabric will last. A guardian protector on the cloth will increase the longevity of your cloth. Highly recommended. Simonis cloth is a worsted wool cloth and is used in tournament play. This is the best cloth used in the billiard industry. It cost a little bit more but Simonis is preferred by most pool players and will last longer.
7.) ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ANTIQUE OR CONTEMPORARY STYLE?
What style are you looking for? There is a wide selection of styles available in the marketplace today. Pool tables today are manufactured in many different materials. Woods and metals are the most popular. Hardwoods are preferred over soft woods and MDF board. With American manufacturers, you can choose the finish you desire, but on most imported pool tables you are limited to only one choice. Be careful of imported tables as some of these tables may contain a high amount of lead
and can be poisonous to your health.
Even Brunswick pool tables are manufactured overseas so be careful and ask questions about your pool table selection. Before you buy a pool table ask “What country was my pool table manufactured in?”
8.) ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOLID WOOD?
Solid wood, plywood, or press-board… what are you interested in? Solid wood is preferred and will last the longest. Plywood is better than press-board. Solid wood tables will be the antiques of the future. Solid wood tables can to refinished to their original color and finish where pressboard and plywood tables cannot. Rubberwood from China is NOT a hardwood. Oak, Maple, Alder, Mahogany, and Cherry are genuine hardwoods that are used in the production of quality pool tables manufactured in the United States today.
9.) HOW IMPORTANT IS PLAYABILITY TO YOU? SLATE OR NON-SLATE?
Playability is one of the most important items in purchasing a quality pool table. Slate tables play the best. Imitation slate tables leave a lot to be desired. Tables with Slateron, Slatetine, or Slateite should be avoided. These are tables that have a phony press-board bed incorporated within the pool table that is sprayed gray to make it look like slate. Slate is found all over the world. 1” thick slate is the standard of the industry. Do not settle for anything less! Some manufacturers use 7/8 or ¾” thick slate to save money. Today, all billiard slate is cut into 3 sections and each piece weighing 200-250 pounds. Also, the slate has been used for over 100 years in the billiard industry and before slate marble was the preferred material used on pool tables.
10.) IS THERE A BUDGET OR PRICE RANGE YOU HAVE IN MIND?
The price of a pool table is determined by where the pool table was made and how fancy it is. The more carvings or intricate designs the table has the more money it will cost. Quality solid wood pool tables will start at $2500.00 and go up. Imported wood pool tables will be in the $1000.00-$1800.00 range. If you are looking for a pool table to last a lifetime buy an American pool table. Why settle for anything less? You deserve the BEST!
I hope this helps you in selecting a pool table for your home or business. If you have any questions please call me any time and I will try and help you. After over 40 years in the billiard business if I don’t know the answer I will refer you to someone that does. Have fun and enjoy the game. It’s fun for the whole family and friends.
Terry Moldenhauer
Golden West Billiards
5505 SE Johnson Creek Blvd.
Portland, OR 97206
800 423-5702 503 788-8032
terry@goldenwestbilliards.com