subject: Breaking Down Pool Tables [print this page] Also what size table should you get and what sort of pool cues to go for. The game of pool has a few variations and the equipment you need depends on which of these variations you want to play.
There is American pool and English pool. The difference is in the size of the equipment.
American tables start in size from 7 ft up to 9 ft. English pool tables are small by comparison at only 6 foot or 7 foot and use 2 inch pool balls. They were developed for the pubs in the UK so they did not take up so much space. A lot of the pool tables in bars and pubs are 6 foot with a few 7 foot tables also.
English pool is now very popular with its own association the EPA (English Pool Association) and they hold tournaments all over the UK. The tournament size of pool tables for EPA tournaments is 7 ft.
Determine the room size you need for your pool table by adding 10 feet to each table dimension; a 6 foot table needs 16 feet by 13 feet allowing for cues as well as the table. A 7 ft table would need 17 ft by 13 ft 6 inches. The pool cues being 57 inches long.
Be aware the size of the tip on the pool cues are different for American and English pool. For American pool, the tip size for the pool cue is 12 or 13 mm and for English pool, the tip size is 8 to 9.5 mm the same as in snooker.
The cheap pool tables like the folding pool tables and the fixed leg wooden tables are made from MDF which is basically fine wood dust compressed with a resin to produce very strong flat sheets, ideal for a pool table surface. Unfortunately because the tables are made of wood they are liable to warping.
If you can afford it, the best table to get is the slate bed version, either 6 or 7 ft English tables or the magnificent 8 and 9-foot American pool tables. These are more expensive with a starting price of around $900 - $1000 for the English tables and up to $5000 for the top of the range American tables.
These definitely give the best game and will last longer than you. The pool balls come in different colors, 8 ball pool, which confusingly is played with 15 pool balls, can have 7 reds and 7 yellows and a black no 8 ball or the spots and stripes version has 7 striped balls and 7 solid colored balls and a black no 8 ball. Just get the set, you like the look of.
Make sure you have the correct sized rack for your pool balls. A rack for 2 1/4 balls is different than a rack for 2 inch balls.
Another type of game more commonly played on American pool tables is 9-ball pool, which this time is actually played with 9 balls numbered 1 - 9. You need a special diamond shaped rack for the nine balls.
To rack 9-ball pool, the one ball goes on the spot and the 9-ball in the middle. The rest are put in randomly.
Pool table cloth is usually nap free or "speed ball" cloth and you can get it in many different colors with red and blue being the most popular. There are even some cloths with logos on and naked ladies etc, but bear in mind you could probably do without the distraction, go for a solid color and green is still the best to play on.
Why not consider an outdoor pool table for your decking if you are short of room in your house. These come in wood and fiberglass.
The outdoor wood pool table is made out of the same preserved wood as your decking and has a slate playing surface and Teflon coated cloth. The outdoor fiberglass pool tables have slate playing surface and waterproof cloth as well.
These models are designed for outdoor use, and the wooden model comes with a full cover for the winter. It is important to check the price of delivery of the pool table.
