So you want to buy a pool table…..

Here are some things you should know!

Buying a pool table is an easy decision; the hard part is deciding which one! Choosing between different sizes, designs, materials and features can become frustrating. Don’t give up and head over to the billiard hall just yet; Pool-Tables-Fast has provided you with the information you need to choose your perfect pool table.

Our pool table buyer's guide will take you through the following decisions (click to go directly to section):

Play surface

Size

Space

Drop pockets or automatic ball return



PLAY SURFACE: Slate, SL8, Slatron, MDF, Slate-Core, Accuslate……What!?

One of the first decisions you will need to make when looking for a pool table is the type of play surface you want. There are pros and cons to each, so pay attention!

Slate is used in 85% of all pool tables. Made from sheets of hard natural stone, slate is the most durable of all pool table play surfaces, and is naturally resistant to water and mold, making slate pool tables ideal for damp basements or humid environments. Slate resists warpage better than any pool table surface available, allowing you to enjoy your pool table for many years to come! Slate pool tables are extremely heavy and typically cost more than non-slate pool tables. The slate play surface is delivered in one to three pieces and may require professional installation. Check your area Yellow Pages for local game room and billiard stores that offer installation services.

Planning to go au natural with slate? Check out these slate pool tables:

Playcraft Black Knight Slate Pool Table

Minnesota Fats Vegas Slate Pool Table

Fairview Solid Maple Slate Pool Table

Victoria Solid Maple Slate Pool Table

Slatron, Slate-Core, Accuslate and MDF are man-made pool table play surfaces that imitate slate. Slatron and Slate-Core consist of compressed wood, treated to be warp-resistant. MDF is made from medium-density fiberboard, and Accuslate from high-density fiberboard. Although these materials do not quite match the superior warpage resistance that comes with natural stone, they have come a long way! They are also lighter, less expensive and much easier to install. Customers can typically install non-slate pool tables themselves.

Don’t want to deal with heavy stone and professional installation? Check out these non-slate pool tables:

Slatron - Durango 8' Mizerak Pool Table, Chandler II Mizerak Pool Table

Slate Cor - Minnesota Fats Westmont

Acculslate - Fat Cat Fallsworth, Fat Cat Riviera

MDF - Maduro 7' Mizerak Pool Table

SL8 is a new one-piece hard stone pool table play surface that has the look, sound and feel of Slate, without the extreme weight and added installation cost. Backed by wood, SL8 is about half the weight of Slate, enabling you to assemble the pool table yourself! SL8 provides the pool table performance and durability you want, and resists moisture and warping better than all-wood pool table play surfaces.

Check out a few of our new SL8 pool tables! Precision Black, Old World Chestnut, Black Redwood, Nightclub



SIZE: 7, 8, 9 Feet…..or Somewhere in Between?

Next, you want to figure out what pool table size will best fit your home, budget and level of play.

7’ Pool tables are economical and ideal when space might be an issue. Valiton 7’ Mizerak Pool Table, Fat Cat Riviera 7’ Pool Table, Oak Knight 7’ Slate Pool Table, Breckenridge Solid Maple Slate Pool Table

8 Feet is the most popular size for home usage; recreational pool players are most accustomed to this size. Durango 8' Mizerak Pool Table, Minnesota Fats Vale 8’ Slate Pool Table, Brentwood Solid Maple 8' Slate Pool Table, Minnesota Fats Chrome 8’ Pool Table

9 Feet is the size typically used in professional billiard tournaments. If you are a serious pool player, and have the space, this would be the size for you! Playcraft Southport 8 & 9 ft. Slate Pool Table

Pool tables can even be found with in-between sizes. Check these out! Shelti Bayside Slate Pool Table, Minnesota Fats Westmont 7.5’ Pool Table





SPACE: How Much Room Will I Need?

Remember, you want to have ample space to comfortably line up your shot! Pool cues start at 42” and can be as long as 57.” Use the below measurements to determine approximately how big your billiard room needs to be to comfortably accommodate your pool table and pool cue of choice.

Pool Cue Length Room Size

7' Pool Table:

8' Pool Table:

9' Pool Table:

Where Do The Pool Balls Go?

Pool tables feature either drop pockets or an automatic pool ball return. Bar or billiard hall pool tables typically have an automatic ball return, whereas drop pockets are often found on classic, more traditional pool tables designed for home use. A drop pocket pool table is very simple; the pool balls just stay in the pocket until removed. With drop pockets, there is no worrying about a pool ball channel jam inside of the table.

With most automated ball return systems, the pool balls travel from the pocket, down a long tube. They are deposited into a ball box, typically found at the end of the pool table. There they remain conveniently stored, until you are ready to rack em’ up again!

Love the classic, traditional look of a drop pocket pool table? Check these out! Victoria Solid Maple 8’ Slate Pool Table, Tuscan Solid Maple 8’ Slate Pool Table, Minnesota Fats Coventry 8’ Pool Table, Florence Solid Maple Slate Pool Table, Minnesota Fats Rustic Cherry 8’ Pool Table

Into the more modern and convenient automatic pool ball return? Then these pool tables are for you! ! Shelti Bayside Slate Pool Table, Playcraft Black Knight 7 & 8 ft Slate Pool Table, Playcraft Southport 8 & 9 ft. Slate Pool Table

There you have it; you should now be able to easily select your perfect pool table. Still confused? Then contact our pool table experts at 888-636-7785.