Best Pool Table Guide

What is the Best Pool Table

Many get confused while buying a pool table. Taking the decision is tough however finding the best pool table is tougher. People make things difficult by using the word ‘best’. There is no fixed best pool table. It can be best described as perfect pool table that can vary from place to place, person to person. And you know different things can be perfect at different places.

Here is our list of the Best Pool Tables & Billiards Tables On The Market 

VIDEO: Pool Tips and Tricks

Factors that Have Upper Hand

There are a few known factors that play significant role in defining your perfect pool table. Budget, room size and requirement are three of them. Whoever is going to buy a pool table must focus on these three factors. Let me help you by making a few questions for you.

• What is your purpose for buying a pool table?
• What is the size of the room you want to place the table?
• What is your budget range?

Among the above three questions last two are the easiest to answer. You definitely know what you can afford and what size room you have. One thing you need to do is to find a pool table room size chart and go through to know your feasible pool table size.

The first question may have many other sub-questions. Let us fix them.

• Are you buying a pool table for recreation?
• Are you buying it for home use?
• Are you looking for a kid’s pool table?
• Do you want it for both adult and kids?
• Do you want it for your teens?
• Do you want a long lasting pool table?
• Do you want a single game table or a combo?
• Does home decor matter for you?

If answers of the above questions are ‘no’, then go for other questions.

• Are you a pro player?
• Are you buying this for practice?
• Are you buying this for your commercial place?
• Do you want a tournament grade pool table?

Depending on all the above questions your answer is going to change. So, it is very important that you answer accurately to find the perfect pool table for you.

Pool Table vs Snooker Table

Buyers often wonder if they can play snooker on a pool table. This is one of the frequently asked questions from pool table buyers. Willing to enjoy two games at a time is not a crime. Since both the tables look similar, people who have no idea of the games might think that playing snooker is very possible on a pool table.

However before we answer that question you need to know the difference between a pool table and a snooker table.

Both the games evolved from the Billiard but they have different cultural and historical background. The games are played with different sets of rules. Accessories used in both the games like cues and balls are different in size and numbers too.

In a broad sense, snooker tables are larger than a pool table. Pool table sizes vary from 7 ft. by 3.5 ft. to 9 ft. by 4.5 ft. which means the largest pool table is no bigger than 9 ft. Whereas, a snooker table is 10 ft. to 12 ft. long at best.

Pockets in snooker table have round knuckles however they are sharp in pool. This makes shots more difficult in snooker than in American pool. Snooker table cloths are napped and directional whereas pool tables are preferred to have nap-free cloth. This affects both the games significantly.

Last but not the least is the marking on the tables. If you want to play snooker on your pool table then marking is needed for that. You can do it by your own following video instructions. Now videos are available on this. Beware since the marking might feel disturbing while playing pool.

Finally, comes the question whether you can play snooker on your pool table. Yes, you can do this by marking on the table and buying a standard set of snooker balls. However, I don’t think it’s a good idea. I respect different choices but to my opinion, both the games should be played authentic.

Pool Rule

If you are a beginner you will want to know about the general rules for 8-ball pool. World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) and Billiard Congress of America (BCA) are the highest authority for setting Pool rules. Professionals and amateur around the world follow either set of rules in leagues and tournaments.

8-ball pool in brief

8-ball pool is played with 16 balls. The set of balls include 15 object balls and a cue ball. Seven stripe balls, seven solid balls and one 8-ball make 15 object balls. After the break each player is assigned to pocket either type of balls. The object of the game is to pot the 8-ball legally. Once a player has pocketed all the balls of his group, can legally pocket the 8-ball in a called pocket.

10 Fouls in Pool a Beginner Should Know

There are numerous fouls in 8-ball pool. Whoever attempting to play pool should know about the common fouls.

• If a cue ball is pocketed during a stroke it is a foul.
• It is a foul if one strikes or touches the cue ball with anything else rather than the cue tip.
• If the player pushes the cue tip to come in contact with the cue ball and they remain in contact for more than required time for a stroke then it is considered a foul (push shot).
• It is a foul if a player touches any object ball with the cue ball during a ‘ball in hand’ situation.
• A shot will turn foul if the player does not have at least one foot on the floor during the shot.
• If a player hits the cue ball off the table then it is a foul.
• Failing to hit the designated ball is also a foul.
• If a player hits a ball that does not belong to his designated group (of balls) is a considered a foul.
• If the cue stick comes in contact with the cue ball twice on a shot it is a foul.
• Any intentional miscue is a foul.

Final Words

Playing pool is undoubtedly full of fun. Anybody from kids to adult can enjoy this game. The game is very easy to understand. Loads of articles are there in the internet for learning the game. Pool tables of different sizes and categories are available in the market. Before you make any investment on this just make sure you are following a buying guide. To make the most out of your investment, focus on what is best for you, not what is said best by others.