I'm about to buy a pool table for my home...what do I need to look for?

Question

I'd like to do it for $1500 if possible, but I'll spend more if it's really worth it.

What brands are good, which ones should I stay away from?

Is it safe to buy online or do I need to shop for it in person?

All good answers get invited to my first pool party.

yes i have enough room.

whats the best color felt?

Answer 1

listen to me not these other idiots!!

buy your table locally and make sure they do installation with the deal you choose. most pool sellers do have installation included plus you can then get discounts on new ques, chalk, felt brushes, etc. have them install it so that they will be left responsible for the table being level and totally capable of playing on. if it isn't you can have someone to blame instead of yourself.

get in good with the salespeople make that place your pool table connection so that you can get good deals throughout your pool table's lifes.
danger.

Answer 2

I have a 4 1/2' x 9' table. I needed a room that was at least 14' x 20' to be able to play comfortably. A 3 1/2' x 7' table(bar-size) needs to be in a 13' x 17' room. You're room is too small to be able to play without hitting the wall, with a standard 58-inch cue.

Answer 3

Just make sure the slate are more then an inch thick. Its better if you shop in person because you might not get what you order or looked at online. Brands? just check out a few stores and see which table you like as there are different styles and designs.
Remember pool table is not just a pool table in your house it a piece of furniture.(choose wisely)
I would come to your Pool party but I think down under is a little to far. lol

Answer 4

A pool table is about twice as long as it is wide. A cue stick is about 5'6" long. I mention this because you need to make sure the room you are putting it in can accommodate a table, chairs, a mini bar, stereo, TV, and everything else to make a game room and you'll still be able to make a shot from any angle with the cue stick straight out. There is nothing worse than trying to shoot pool in a room too small. So the first and best piece of advise is to make sure you can work a pool table in the room you plan on putting it into.
Next is to buy the biggest pool table that will fit in that room. I prefer 8 to 9 foot long tables. That way I get used to those and when I go to a pool hall where they have those tiny 6 foot tables, I clean house. No shot is too far for me. :-)
Next ask people that you know who have tables, who installed theirs. The table is only as good as the people that installed it. If your friends had a good experience and their table is level and looks good, then use their installers. Usually it's around $300.
Finally, buy the pool table out of the newspaper. That is where you will get your best deal. I had a table for 7 years, before I got divorced, and I paid $2,000 for it. I asked about what tables like the one I had went for when I was getting my divorce and the dealer told me $4,000. After running the ad in the paper for months, My Ex finally sold it for $500. It is a buyer's market.
I almost forgot, make sure the slate is thick, about an inch and I prefer 3 piece slate. Because I like big tables, there is no way to get a single piece of 8 foot long slate through the doors in the house without breaking something.
If you buy a used table, get the installers to put in new cussions and felt. It's not too expensive.

Answer 5

Brunswick and Olhausen are the most popular. Those are safe bets but you can get another type as long as it looks well built. Some tables don't use real slate. Real slate is better and more expensive(heavier and more stable, less chance of bad roll). There is also single piece and 3 piece slate. Single piece is better because it is one big piece. The worst thing you can do is get a light table that shifts and there is bad ball roll. You want a good heavy table that looks sturdy and well assembled. You can save money online but you can't view the table so you don't know what you are getting. I would shop locally, try to find a nice table that is used. Take your time and look around, look in classifieds and at craigslist, and at pool table stores for good tables. Also, measure the room you want to put the table in, I like bigger 8 or 9 foot tables instead of a 7 foot bar sized tables. when you measure you need to know that the 8 foot tables are 8 x 4, then 6 more inches for the cushion/rail, and you need 18 more inches for room to shoot.... measure the room and make sure the size table you get will fit..... Most good pool players play on 8 foot tables because it is a bit harder. You want something like this: http://www.tribilliards.com/images/outdoor_tables/malibu.jpg

you don't want anything on this page: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bluemoonleisure.com/images/Pool%2520Table%2520Gat%2520Trad%25202.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.bluemoonleisure.com/Pool%2520Tables,%2520Free%2520play%2520Range.htm&h=558&w=800&sz=73&hl=en&start=9&tbnid=OioSnZBNst0JJM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=142&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpool%2Btable%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D

see the difference?

Answer 6

The only thing I can add is that many billiards places will finance your table over a certain number of months, so you have the chance to try out the table and see what you're getting, have it professionally installed and leveled, get the colour felt you want, and possible spend a little more to get the quality you want, without putting out all that cash first.

Answer 7

First thing is, do you have room for a table in your house? Is it on the first floor? Who will install this table? If DYI, do you know what you are doing? Important considerations here, you are going to give this pool table a new home, are you prepared for this? Talk to a Pool Table Processional before you decide! When you own a Pool Table you are making a BIG change in your lifestyle. Are you prepared for this?

Answer 8

At that price point, you'll notice very little difference in the features, you're best just looking for one that matches the interior of the room. One thing to consider is new vs. used vs. antique. Keep in mind that a real pool table must be professionally installed/ballanced/etc. That plus delivery is already going to set you back $600 so you may want to raise your range some.

Answer 9

You definitely need to shop in person. Do not buy online because you really need to feel the pool table and make sure you like it. Before you buy one, make sure that it will fit in your living space because you don't want to be hitting the walls while playing. I learned that the hard way. My best advice would be to NOT buy online. Go out and find one in person.

Answer 10

2 inch slate is key. Anything thinner is prone to warping. Also ! piece slate is nice because you won't end up with a seam when it settles.

Brunswick billiards is nice.

Have a professional that guarantees his work set it up for you so if there is something wrong you're covered.

Not sure about buying online. I like to check it out first hand. Are the rails true? Is the felt nice? Are the pockets nice?

Answer 11

If you are not putting it in the basement make sure the floor can with stand the weight of the pool table.

A word to the wise, have it professionally moved and installed.