Pool Tables Buyers Guide

On Line Buyers Guide

Pool Table Edition

Thank you for taking the time to download the pool table edition of our 'on line buyer's guide' series.

The information in this guide represents a collaboration of our own experience in the world of pool tables, material from major manufactures and the valued opinions of some of the country's top pool players. Our aim is to take this combined knowledge to help you make an informed buying decision and find the perfect table to compliment your living space or commercial premises..

After a general introduction, these guides work on a 'question and answer' basis. We have tried to include all the questions we are most commonly asked, and we have thrown in a few hot tips and pieces of insider information. The answer to each question is found on a specific page, so if you are just using this guide to investigate a particular query, you can cut straight through to the relevant information.

Look out for the 'Buyer Beware' signs that crop up throughout the guide. These are invaluable tips on how to avoid getting in to difficulties when dealing with pool tables. These tips are well worth a read as they come from over 15 years experience of selling, maintaining and delivering these products.

Although this guide will help you to get closer to your perfect table, it is still invaluable to take advice relating your particular circumstances. Once you start to get an idea of where you are heading with your pool table purchase, please take the opportunity to contact a member of the Liberty Games team on 0800 612 8180. You will find our staff polite, well informed and they are full of useful tips.

Questions and Answers

1) What room size do I need to house a pool table and have good cueing room?

2) What is the difference between an American pool table and a British Pool Table?

3) What is the difference between an MDF pool table and a Slate bed?

4) What accessories come with my pool table? Is there other things you recommend

5) How is my pool table delivered? Do I need installers to help?

6) Can my pool table be re clothed? If so how much does it cost?

7) I need a coin operated table what do I need to know?

8) How long does it take to deliver my pool table?

1) What room size do I need to house a pool table?

Pool tables come in a variety of sizes, but the general range available in the UK start from 4ft in length and stretch right up to full size American tables at 9ft in Length. As a rule of thumb, (assuming a full size cue) you will need approximately 5 ft of cueing room around each edge of your chosen table. Say for example you choose a 7ft table, this has a length of 7ft and a width of 4ft. Using the 5ft rule you would need a room that is 17ft in length and 14ft in width to be able to play the table without a cue end touching the wall.

Tip: The 5ft rule gives you plenty of margin for error. When a pool table is described as '7ft in length' this refers to the overall length of the table. If your room is a little tight, remember that the actual playing surface of the table is quite a bit smaller. On a 7ft table for example the playing surface is actually more like 6ft in length. The rail and cushions on each end make up about 1 ft of the overall length. Your cue tip begins play at the join of the cushion and the play surface, so this can give you that little extra room. Below is a room size calculator, note how the different size cues help to reduce the room size needed to enjoy your table

Table Size (Feet)	Room size Using a 48" Cue	Room Size Using a 54" Cue	Room Size Using a 57" Cue
6x3 Table	13.5 x 11	14.5 x 12	15 x 12.5
7x4 Table	14.2 x 11.2	15.2 x 12.2	15.75 x 12.75
8x4.6 Table	15.2 x 11.5	16.25 x 12.75	16.75 x 14
7 American	14.9 x 11.5	15.9 x 12.5	16.4 x 12.5
8 American	15.6 x 12	16.6 x 13	17.1 x 13.5
9 American	16.6 x 12.4	17.6 x 13.4	18.1 x 13.9

Tip: if your room is a little too small for the table you are looking for, don't panic. Liberty Games can provide shorter cues, even 'baby cues' to deal with any awkward areas.

If you are unsure of the particular room size for your table, make sure you call a member of the Liberty Games staff to double check you choice.

2) What is the difference between British (UK) tables and American (USA) Tables

British pool tables come in 6ft, 7ft and occasionally 8ft sizes. British tables are played using 2" red and yellow pool balls (the cue ball is 17/8"). A league standard table in the UK is 7ft in length and 4ft in width, this size would usually be the starting point of your search should you be looking for a true British table. Where a public house has a slightly tight playing space (which may also be the case in the home environment) they choose to go for a 6ft x3ft pool table as the second choice.

British tables have evolved over the years into a broad range of designs the most common differences are found in the shape of the legs, the depth of the bodies and the overall colour and finishes of the tables. British tables can now compliment any surrounding.

Tip A 6ft table may be the most appropriate choice if a table is going upstairs or through a tight corridor because it can be stood on end and still fit through a doorway. A 7ft table on end does not always fit!

American tables are generally larger than British tables, they are commonly found in 8ft and 9ft formats, however some 7ft American pool tables can be found. American tables can also be identified by their larger pocket sizes and larger ball sizes. American pool is played using 21/4" balls. On the smaller American tables the balls can come down in size relative to the table length.

American table designs tended to be the most easy on the eye, and although British tables have caught up, there are however some timeless American designs that can be a major factor in making your decision!

3) What is the difference between an MDF pool table and a Slate bed.

In the most basic form 'MDF' or 'Slate' refers to the material that is used to build the playing surface of a pool table. Generally in a pub or commercial premises the table you would have played on will have a slate bed under the cloth. The slate creates a completely true surface and helps to add weight and stability to the table. A slate bed can be re clothed if the table experiences wear, in most cases an MDF surfaces cannot. MDF tables are built to provide a cost effective and light weight alternative to slate bed tables. Although the cost and weight is reduced on MDF tables, a number of models play to a very sound standard. Many home customers who are buying a pool table for fun appreciate both the cost reduction and the ability to move the table aside when not in use. The rule of thumb on a MDF table is not to go too cheap, you really do get what you pay for, and a slight spend increase can help establish a more solid and durable table that will last. You can usually establish from the image of the table how sturdy the build quality is. There are some flimsy designs out there on the very cheap tables so it's worth looking out for a well supported leg system and a reasonably deep body shape. A weight over 30kgs is going in the right direction. Finally it's worth checking what ball size comes with the table, some of the smaller tables do have reduced ball sizes to fit in with the smaller play surfaces. A real game of pool however should play with 2" balls to get a good game.

MDF tables will usually arrive to you in a flat pack format. It can be worth asking what the approximate build time is. In most cases you should only have to bolt on the legs of the table, but some can be more complex. (Delivery is dealt with further down) some MDF tables do have an installation option.

Slate bed tables can be considered the ultimate pool tables to have at home or in your commercial premises. If you are buying your table for use in a commercial premises, slate is really your only choice, not only are they the most durable, but they are the only tables that can be fitted with a coin mechanism! You have quite a lot of added flexibility when purchasing slate beds, not only can you choose the wood finish of your table, but you can also choose the cloth colour (useful when trying to match the colours in a room).

Very high end slate bed tables may have a hard wood body, however the more budget slate bed tables nowadays tend to be made from very high grade MDF with good quality laminates. British slate bed tables are generally made in the league size of 7ft by 4ft, however there is also a market for 6ft slate bed tables where a room size in a public house or private residence is restricted.

4) What accessories come with my pool table? Are there other items you recommend

Nearly all pool tables in every price range come with a starter pack appropriate for the table. Usually you will receive, x2 cues, x1 triangle, chalk, x1 ball set (usually red and yellows for british tables). In some cases you will be asked to choose if you would like red and yellow balls to come with your table or spots and stripes. Red and Yellow balls are the standard colour for British pool tables. Spots and Stripes however do give the advantage of being able to play both british pool or American pool rules.

It may be worth investing in some other accessories to keep your table in good condition. Most people also purchase a brush. This is used to brush away any chalk marks on the table. Usual practise is to brush with the nap of the cloth and direct any chalk/ dust into the pockets. It is also worth buying a cover for the pool table. Even a cheap plastic cover helps to add life to your table. It restricts dust settling on the cloth and helps to prevent sun bleaching if your table lives close to a window.

A cue rack is almost an essential additional piece of kit. These can cost as little as £9.99 but give you a place to put cues in an upright position. A cue rack saves your table from people leaving chalked cues on the cloth and keeps the cues safe and in good condition ready to play the next game.

Finally, there is the question of how you light the play surface of the table. In most cases, the lighting in a room is adequate to have a good game of pool. Having dedicated lighting over the table however gives a very professional look and really focuses attention on the game in hand. There are a vast number of different lamp shade designs and colours to match your chosen table style.

5) How is my pool table delivered? Do I need installers to help?

MDF tables are normally delivered in a box where the legs of the table have been removed to allow the table to be 'flat packed'. The table is usually delivered by a one or two man service depending on the size and weight of the table. 95% of MDF tables are easily installed without professional help. All you need is two people and a spanner (usually provided in the box). In general after removing the packaging, you will be instructed to turn the table upside down, bolt on the legs and then rotate the table to an upright position. Some of the larger MDF tables do show an installation option due to their weight and this service should be requested if you are at all unsure of your ability to put the table together.

Slate tables are normally delivered unboxed in 3 pieces by a professional 2 man team. The key reason for the requirement of a professional courier is the fragility and weight of the slate bed.

In 95% of cases, the table legs and slate will be transported separately from the body of the table to reduce the handling weight per piece.

Installation of these tables is not rocket science. In short, you bolt the legs on to the table (usually through the top of the table, as there is clear access without the slate bed installed) the table is then rotated to an upright position. From here you can open the top of the table (like a book) by lifting the top rail (this is the hinged section that the cushions are attached to). Once open two people then lift the pre clothed slate and locate it into pre determined spaces in the table. Once in place, the top rail is closed down and squeezes on to the slate. The top rail is latched down and secured by reaching through the base of the table (there are cut outs in the base for your hand and arm to fit in) Once together the table is levelled using the threads on the feet.

In general we would recommend paying the extra to have a 2 man team install your table. Not only do they have good experience and handling your new prize possession, but they will also level the table accurately for you at the end of the job. The installers also have good tips on how to maintain your table.

If you do decide to save the money on the installation fees, please ensure you have at least to able bodied people to help. Take your time, and call our technical help number if you are not 100% sure of your next move!

6) Can my pool table be re clothed? If so how much does it cost?

In general, only slate bed pool tables can be re clothed. It is a fairly specialist skill to cloth a table accurately so it should only be attempted by very technically minded people or pool table professionals.

Considering most slate bed tables are built to a commercial standard, those purchased for home use will last for a very long time without the need for a re cloth. A well used commercial table may need a recloth every 3-6 months.

There are two types of recloth: Slate only, or slate and cushions.

If you have had an accidental spill on the main playing surface of your table, you may only need the slate bed to be reclothed. This is a fairly simple and quick procedure, consisting of removing the current cloth, cleaning off any glue residue, then reclothing. The cushions however are more complicated. These are usually reclothed when you notice excessive wear where the cloth is stretched over the main rubber contact points.

The cost of your local pool table reclother may vary, but budget up to £195

7) I need to buy a coin operated table, what do I need to know?

Coin operated pool tables come in two main formats. The first uses a mechanical coin mechanism the second uses an electronic coin mechanism. Although electronic coin mechanisms are the more modern solution to 'coin operate' a pool table, the industry still prefers the reliability of mechanical coin mechanisms.

Electronic coin mechanisms have the benefit of allowing an entire range of coin denominations to be inserted into the pool table make up the price per play. On a mechanical mechanism, the coin slots are made in such a way that only the correct coinage can be used (for example a £1 coin). Electronic coin mechanisms also have some programmable functions such as 'happy hour' settings.

Coin operated pool tables essentially have a removable barrier which stop the balls from running through the table and out to the collection point. You will see these balls building up in a window at the side of the table whilst the game is in use. Once a coin is inserted into the mechanism, this releases the barrier and the balls are free to run through the table. Electronic systems use an electronic motor to remove the barrier, and here lies the potential problem. If for example the battery driving the tables runs out, the table will not work. If there is a power cut for a mains version, the table will not work. It is for these 'electrical' reasons that the standard 'straight six' mechanical mechanisms are still favoured by operators all over the world.

The Straight 6 coin mechanism can be set to accept many different price options. It also has the potential for 'token play'which helps to reduce any cash security issues.

Coin operated table are slightly more expensive than their freeplay counterparts, this is generally due to the more complex internal ball run systems and the robust (ball run drawer) that mounted in the side of the table.

When considering a coin operated table, the main consideration is return on investment, so it's worth looking at the most keenly priced slate bed models, but make sure they are well built enough for an extended life in a commercial premises.

8) How long does it take to deliver my pool table?

MDF pool tables are generally stocked items meaning the lead time from order to delivery is usually 7-10 days. Most MDF tables are too large to go on main stream couriers like TNT or UPS, instead they go with specialist 2 man courier teams.

Slate bed tables can take up to 4 weeks to be delivered depending on your location in the country. This lead time is made up of two parts, firstly the table must be built to you specification (this can take up to 10 days) the table is then collected and stored by a specialist 2 man delivery team. Routes around the UK are then planned at which point a specific deliver is booked in to cover your area.

If you have any further questions referring to pool tables, please don't hesitate to call us on 0800 612 8180