Essential Factors When Buying a Pool Table

As one of the UK's leading pool table suppliers, we would prefer everyone to purchase their pool table from us. However, we know this isn't happening, so below is a guide to what you should look out for when buying a pool table. We deal with old and new tables and hope this guide helps you decide what to buy.

It can be a minefield when deciding what to buy. You can choose brand new, second-hand, slate, non-slate, pub style, free play, 6ft, and 7ft sizes. The list goes on and on. We will go through all the options and try to clear up a few things.

Let's start with the table size. 

Pool Table Size

UK Slate Bed Pool Table Size

UK slate bed pool tables are produced in two official sizes. Both 6ft or 7ft sizes are the official league dimensions and the sizes found in pubs and clubs up and down the UK. 

The measurements are taken from the outer cabinet frame (top frame), not the playing surface size. The 7ft x 4ft model is the most popular of these tables. These can be found in approx 70% of pubs in the UK. The 6ft x 3’8 models are mainly used in space-restricted locations. These are the only sizes produced in the UK by the leading table manufacturers.

USA Slate Bed Pool Table Size

American tables are traditionally produced in 3 sizes. These are 7ft, 8ft and 9ft sizes. The most popular size American table purchased in the UK is the 8ft model. However, the 9ft table is the official tournament size model. All professional events are played on 9ft tables, but these require considerable space in your home.

Non-Slate Bed Pool Table Sizes

Most non-slate bed pool tables are brought in from overseas suppliers. These are often hybrid sizes and rarely replicate the slate pub size tables. All junior-sized tables, such as 4ft and 5ft models, will have a non-slate bed. The other difference with non-slate models apart from the sizes may be the pocket and ball ratios which we will cover later.

Type of Games – Ball Size

In pool, you essentially have the UK game and the US version. The American and UK games are very different, and in the main, that is due to ball and table size.

USA Game – Ball Size

The American-style game uses 2-¼ Inch spots and stripe pool balls. These larger balls are played on a bigger surface, and the table has larger pockets. 9 Ball is also a famous American version of pool and uses the bigger 2-¼-inch balls.

UK Game – Ball Size

In the UK, the playing surfaces are smaller than in the States, and the full-size pool ball is 2-inches in size. The pockets are in ratio to the ball to create UK pool. The balls traditionally used are either spots and stripes or red and yellows. Please note that if your table is coin-operated or has a ball tray, you will require a smaller 1-7/8-inch cue ball.

Other Ball Sizes

Any ball size other than 2-inches or 2-¼ inches is produced for a smaller or hybrid pool table. Junior pool tables will often use smaller pool balls, so checking the ball size before investing in a table is essential. Professional UK or US tables will always use 2-inch or 2-¼-inch balls.

Slate or Non-Slate Tables

Slate

Only slate bed pool tables will provide an exact level and precise game over many years. It is still the best type of surface for the most accurate game. Professional UK pool, American pool, and World Snooker events are always competed for on slate tables. If you are looking for the best possible game, then slate is what you need.

UK tables have a 1-piece ¾ inch thick pool slate. American tables generally have three pieces of slate. This is because the American playing area is larger than a UK table, and they need to be in sections due to their weight.

Non-Slate

Tables fitted with a wood bed playing surface are not classed as professional tables. However, they are much improved on the tables produced 20 years ago that were guaranteed to warp and bow within six months. Today's non-slate tables generally have far better surfaces, and although they won’t replicate the preciseness of a slate surface, they can provide a really enjoyable family game.

Cloth

Wool–Napped Cloth

Wool-napped cloths are the preferred choice in the UK for both pool and snooker. Wool cloth provides an enjoyable game and offers more ball control than the faster American table baizes. It is vital to keep the wool cloth in good condition by regularly brushing the table with the nap of the cloth. If you brush against the nap, it will raise the wool fibres and slow the game down. It's always recommended to find out what brand of cloth is used on the table. The UK has two leading cloth producers, and the wool cloth made by Hainsworth and Strachan is regarded as the benchmark. Cheaper imported cloths will often need replacing more frequently and may not have the same playability.

Speed – Worsted Cloth

Although Speed cloth is traditionally used on larger American tables, it is becoming more and more popular in UK pool. It is a much faster cloth than wool because it doesn’t have a nap and has a higher nylon content. It is also more hardwearing, making it popular in pubs and pool halls as it will last longer and requires less maintenance. It is the only choice of cloth for American tables. The fast material lends itself perfectly to the larger playing surfaces, bigger balls, and wider pockets.

Whichever cloth is fitted to your table, it is essential to look after it. Brushing frequently keeps the fabric in good condition and removes chalk dust. See our maintenance guide for more tips.

Make of Balls

Whilst having a great table is key to an enjoyable game, the type of pool ball you use is often overlooked. Pool balls can have a dramatic effect on the game. 

There are basically two brands of balls. The first is Aramith. SALUC company produces these in Belgium; the second type is any other ball that isn’t Aramith.

Aramith uses a phenolic resin when producing balls. This is a much harder resin and keeps its colouring and roundness much longer than all other ball sets. No matter the game, all serious cue sports tournaments will only use Aramith balls. They are simply the best on the market. If you are serious about pool or snooker, they are the only choice and a must-buy.

If you have a table just for a bit of fun, cheaper non-Aramith sets will offer good value. They won’t be as sharp in colour or last as long, but they are often relatively cheaper and still provide an excellent entry-level game.

Should I have my table professional installed

The answer to this question really depends on the table you have purchased.

Wood Bed Playing Table

If you have purchased a table with a wood bed playing surface, you should be able to manoeuvre and set up the table yourself. However, this will depend on the size of the table. These models are generally easier to set up and are a lot lighter, so they can often be set up much more straightforward.

UK Slate Tables

A UK slate table is trickier to handle. We would generally recommend having this installed due to the weight. They will mainly come in 3 parts – legs, slate, and cabinet. You will need to get these into your room of choice and then correctly set up and level the table. It is possible to do it yourself, but having it professionally installed often stops any issues, risk of damage, or uneven playing surfaces. The good news with UK tables is that the cloth is nearly always pre-fitted to the slate and cushions meaning it is possible to do it yourself. We have a basic installation guide for installing UK slate tables – please click HERE to view it.

USA Tables

We always recommend professional installation if you buy an American slate bed table. These are much more complex to set up and can often take around 5-6 hours when done by a professional. The slates will be in sections, and the cloth will need fitting. This is a tricky thing to do and should only be done by expert fitters. If you are buying a slate bed US table, it is vital to consider the installation. This can be very expensive if it is not included in the table sale.

Should I buy a Secondhand Table

Ideally, everyone would like to buy a brand-new table, but this can’t always be the case. Availability and budgets will often come into play, making second-hand tables seem very attractive. There are certainly bargains to be had, and many online auction sites have very tempting deals. Whilst the price can be appealing, it is always worth bearing in mind the following.

Second-hand tables generally don’t include delivery and installation. It usually means you will have to drive to collect the table. You may also need to hire or borrow a van because it won't fit in a car. Most tables are heavy and require at least two strong people to move them. This all has a cost so keep it in mind. This may be something we could help you with, and we would always be happy to quote for this service.

It is essential to understand what table you are buying. We would recommend asking the following questions. What size is it? Is it in good condition? Is it a slate bed? How heavy is it? Has it been dismantled for collection? If so, are all the bolts with it? Do you get accessories included? How old is the table? Don’t be afraid to ask for additional photos if you are unsure.

If you are buying an American 3-piece slate bed pool table, we would always recommend costing the table collection and fitting before purchase. These models must be expertly handled and often require new cloth fitting. The headline price may seem like a bargain, but the collection, recovery and installation cost may be around £1000 to complete.

The age of the pool table you are interested in is also important. It is unlikely that the table will have been fitted with new cushion rubbers, and the original cloth will often be in place. An old set of cushion rubbers can go very hard over time and offer little bounce or ball response. This can ruin a game and spoil your enjoyment. Also, if the table is fitted with an old cloth, the game may be slow or provide poor run on a worn baize. A new cloth recover and rubbers may cost the same or more as buying the table in the first place.

The final consideration is whether the table is coin-operated or free play. A coin table will have a ball drawer fitted to the side of the table. This may have been set to free play, but the presence of a ball drawer may cause future costly issues. The chances are that a coin table is an ex-pub model. This means it may have had 1000s of games and be very worn internally. Pub-style tables involve far more mechanics than a pure free-play table. If the model is of a certain age, the parts may no longer be in circulation. An actual free play table will have two blank panels on the sides, which means far less can go wrong internally as they are manufactured much simpler.

As mentioned, there are bargains to be had with second-hand tables. However, we strongly recommend taking your time and considering all the above before buying.

Will it fit in my room

Having the right amount of space for your table is essential. You must research and measure your room before deciding on your table. However, before that, you must ensure the table can enter the room. Many tables come with pre-built cabinets, meaning they will struggle to turn around tight corners. Find the easiest route to your room and ensure there is enough space for the table. If you are unsure at all, we would be happy to provide help.

Once in the room, the table should be positioned so there is ample cueing space around the cabinet. We suggest at least a 4ft cueing clearance around the table. You will also need to take into consideration any other furniture that may be going in the room.

Don't try to squeeze a larger-sized table into a space designed for something smaller. Using junior cues on many shots will become frustrating over time and spoil your enjoyment. The below image provides a room-size guide for both UK and American slate bed pool tables.