Things to Consider When Purchasing your Pool Table
Buying any piece of furniture, especially one for entertainment and gaming purposes, is a serious investment. There are several things to consider before choosing the right one.
Note the quality of the playing surface.
The best pool and billiards furniture pieces use slate for a smooth playing surface. Slate is shale, or rock, made from volcanic ash or clay and formed over thousands of years. It is mined, quarried, cut, and leveled into smooth flat sheets perfect for cue sports such as billiards. The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) requires 1” slate on any furniture used in professional tournaments and competitions.
Check for a sturdy frame.
The frame is the foundation of your table. The sturdier and more solid the frame is, the less problems you will face over time. Brands such as Canada Billiard and Brunswick offer some of the sturdiest designs in the industry, with patented construction techniques to ensure their product lasts a lifetime.
Decide on the overall look.
Billiard companies offer a variety of styles and customizations to fit your needs. Depending on the style you want, you can choose between the types of pockets or ball return system, and from a variety of sizes. Some designs come with the option to have either an internal pocket, often called a drop pocket, or an external pocket. Others offer a choice between drop pockets or a ball return system, which eliminates the need to clear the pockets after each game. The experts at West State know their way around custom pool tables and can discuss which options are right for you.
Determine if you need a multifunctional piece.
Most people in the market for billiards furniture are only thinking of it as one source of entertainment, but in today’s modern billiards industry, they can now serve multiple functions. Many brands now offer dining pool tables that allow for the piece to convert from a playable surface to a dining area for dinners together. Other brands can be converted into different tabletop games, expanding the ways you can play.
You should also consider whether you’ll be playing indoors or outdoors. Many brands now offer outdoor pool tables, specifically designed to withstand the elements and provide the same playing experience as any indoor design.
Make sure it will fit in your game room.
You should know both the size of the table and the size of the room, so you can ensure you’ll have enough space to play. The standard measurements for professional gaming pieces are designed for the length to be twice the size of the width. In addition, the surrounding space should be no less than 5 feet to allow the pool cue and the player enough room to strike the ball.
Consider hiring professional installers.
Pool tables are no small investment, so you want to make sure it’s installed right the first time. While you could attempt it yourself, professional pool table installers are the best way to make sure it’s set up correctly. An expert can ensure everything is installed correctly and have the right tools and knowledge to use the leg levelers to ensure a smooth, level playing surface. At West State, we deliver and install anywhere in Orange County and beyond!
Look into whether you need accessories.
When buying any gaming furniture, you should also consider whether you need any pool table accessories to complete your set up. This could include pool cues, billiards balls, or a cue repair kit. West State offers a variety of accessories, including cue racks, cues, billiard cloth, and more.
Review your budget.
Your budget will ultimately define the type of table you can afford. Whether you choose to get a discounted piece for your garage or man cave, or you choose to create a custom pool table, you’ll need to know how much you are willing to spend. Accessories should also be factored into the cost.
No matter what type of piece you ultimately choose, the experts at West State Billiards can walk you through the process. We want you to get the design that’s perfect for you and your entertainment needs. With premium brands like Canada Billiard, Brunswick, and California House, we’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for. Come visit one of our three showrooms or check our selection online to find the perfect one for you.
Why Should You Choose West State?
At West State, we believe in providing you with the ultimate experience when it comes to building your dream game room, or helping you choose one from our warehouse. We take pride in helping our customers and answering all the questions they have. We work hard to ensure they are happy and excited with their purchase from the beginning.
Since 1946, West State Billiards & Gamerooms has been providing the Los Angeles and Orange Counties, Ventura County, San Diego County, and the rest of Southern California with the best deals on quality pool and billiard tables, shuffleboards, game furniture and more! We are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality of customer service in Southern California.
Pool Table FAQs:
What size is a standard pool table?
There are a variety of pool table sizes available. A standard size is considered anything between 6 to 9 feet in length. For regulation size pool tables, this means that the table must adhere to the 2:1 ratio required by World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA). They do, however, give examples for what a regulation table ratio should look like, with professional billiards tables coming in at 9 ft. with the dimensions 100 inches long by 50 inches wide or an 8 ft. table with dimensions of 92 inches long by 46 inches wide. These dimensions are measured without the cushions.
How much room do you need for a pool table?
You want you and your guests to feel comfortable moving around the table in order to play. The general rule of thumb is to add 5 feet to the length and width to determine if your pool table will fit your room and allow you space to play.
Another way to figure out how much room to leave around your pool table is by using the length of your cue. The minimum length and width of the room must equal the length/width of the table plus twice the length of your cue.
What is the difference between pool and billiards tables?
In order to understand the difference between the tables, first it is important to understand the difference between billiards and pool as games. Although the terms ‘billiards’ and ‘pool’ are often used interchangeably, the two do not mean the same thing. ‘Billiards’ was originally used to describe a game called ‘carom billiards’ exclusively but has since evolved to mean a variety of games played on a table with balls and a cue stick.
Most carom billiards and pool games are played on a 7, 8, or 9 ft. table. Carom billiard tables do not have pockets, whereas pool tables do have pockets.
