Looking into buying a pool table - gurus help out a newbie

[TJN23]

My brother and I have considered buying a pool table, but are completely clueless.

I understand an 8 foot table is usually for people who buy one at home, while 7 footers are usually those found at bars and 9 footers are the regulation size. Does anyone have one? Any recommendations in the way of budgeting for one, specs to look for, quality retailers (too bad newegg doesn't sell pool tables) ??

TIA

Tim

 

[bernse]

First, important question:

How big is the room you'll be putting it in?

 

[gooch]

There are a lot of reputable table companies out there. Mine was manufactured by Vitalie billiards. Gandy also makes a nice table. A lot depends on your pricerange...

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: bernse
First, important question:

How big is the room you'll be putting it in?

 

[TJN23]

The basement area I have is pretty big, while I don't have the specs I know I could have at least a 5 foot distance on all sides of the table

So fitting an 8 footer wouldn't be impossible.

Our budget (my bro and I) is $2000

edit: not really looking for a furniture piece, but rather something sleek-looking, not concerned about asthetics as much as functionality but quality is a must as this is a big investment

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

how much clearance room do you need for a pool table?

 

[TJN23]

most sites i've looked at recommend 5 feet on all sides

 

[Joker81]

im guessing a good measure and this is the least amount would be a 1 and 1/2 poolstick length.

 

[gooch]

Buckhorn Billards has a simple guide right on the frontpage on buying a table. This is where I got my table from.

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: TJN23
most sites i've looked at recommend 5 feet on all sides

You'll want more than 5' with regulation cues. Think of having to do a low shot perpindicular to the table right on the edge. A std cue is 57", some are 59". You'll have no room to do much of a stroke. You have the option of going to shorter cues, but even then it'd be tight unless you go real short.

If you only have 5' with a 4' wide table, I'd probably look at a 7x3.5 bar size table.

Do not buy too big of table for your room. You'll be cursing everytime you play a game.

 

[gooch]

Oh, and if you want to see what it looks like when they put the table together (rails were fabricated before delivery) you can check out my gameroom

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: gooch
Oh, and if you want to see what it looks like when they put the table together (rails were fabricated before delivery) you can check out my gameroom

Nice.

That's another thing, so with as thick of slate as you can get for your table... definetly nothingm less than 3/4". Preferebly a 1" which is actually pretty standard for a 4x8+ table.

If you got plywood/pressboard for your surface you'll wish you didn't. As they age they tend to wrap a bit and you'll have a real tough time with gentle shots.

 

[bernse]

Dufferin Game Room planner
It'll give you a decent way to visulaize the room required for your table.

 

[gooch]

Originally posted by: bernse
Dufferin Game Room planner
It'll give you a decent way to visulaize the room required for your table.

That's a pretty neat site. Very helpful with the visualization of the room, what table to get and what cues will fit.

 

[bigd480]

what everyone else said - 8ft slate, at least 3/4" thick, Brunswick, Olhausen, Kasson, Gandy, Fischer are all reputable brands - you'll mostly be limited on what your local dealers will carry. Check out the used market also - if you can find a Brunsick Gold Crown or something for under your budget, it may be worth it to pay to have it moved and refelted rather than getting an entry level table for the same price.

 

[TJN23]

Originally posted by: bernse
Dufferin Game Room planner
It'll give you a decent way to visulaize the room required for your table.

that is an awesome site - just need the exact dimensions of your room and boom you can plan it out nicely