How to buy a pool table, Billiards Table Buyers Guide

Buying a pool table http://www.familyleisure.com

Hi, I'm Andy Prefontaine from Family Leisure and we're talking pool tables. Now, specifically slate pool tables and they'll range from $900 to $5000. And there are six things to look for in choosing a pool table. One the slate, secondly the frame, third the legs, four cushion and rails, five the cloth and six the playing equipment. Let's take a closer look at each one of these.

A quality slate pool table is a once in a life time purchase. It falls into the same category as a grandfather clock or a baby grand piano. It's an heirloom, it stays in the family. Now keep in my mind I said slate there are no substitutes for slate. Such things as plywood, slatine, slatex and honeycomb are introduced in the industry but don't give u the same playing characteristics as slate. Now, let's take a look at slate. First of all, what is it? It's a rock. It's been mined, its quarried and its leveled to 1/1000s of an inch. This is the standard in the industry, ¾ in slate. Also there is 1 inch slate, the pros use 1 inch slate. The BCA, Billiard Congress America, recognizes this slate as the most accurate in the world. It's perfectly honed. Perfect playing characteristics. Above and beyond that there you'll also have inch and a quarter, now you compare that its 25% thicker, again more weight, more tracking, better playing characteristics. Don't be fooled by 7/8 inch slate, many dealers around the country will substitute this for 1 inch. There is no substitute, 1 inch is pro slate.

Slate is only as good as the frame that supports it. It's what's inside of a pool table that counts. Let's take a closer look. The standard of the industry is to have two cross beams support the slate. Now this may be sufficient if were only using ¾ inch slate. However, if you're going to 1 inch or 1 ¼ slate more support is necessary. This is quad beam construction in addition to the two cross beams what you have is two long beams. It's essential when using 1 inch or 1 ¼ slate. Giving you the perfect play field forever.

90% of the weight of a pool table is from the cabinet to the top of the slate. And through the normal use of a pool table, such as leaning on it when your shooting or let's say sitting on the edge puts a lot of un due stress on the leg. Now the industry produces two different type of legs. Let's take a look at them. This is a post leg I call it the perfect leg. It's a solid piece of wood. From the floor all the way up to the slate, and the slate actually rests on the leg its self. As opposed to the standard in the industry, which is a two piece leg. In this case here there's a transition from the leg to the frame. Now the attachment of the leg to the frame is very critical. Let's take a look at that. The most common way to attach a leg to a frame is to use a single nut and bolt system. Though tight initially, in due time, this will loosen up and effect the playing characteristics of the pool table. The quad anchor gusset system with its four points of attachment nearly replicates the stability of a post leg system.

Now that we understand the importance of the leg and the stability of the pool table, let's talk cushions. There are two different types of rails of cushions available on the market today. One is synthetic material ones a natural gum material. Let's take a look at both of these. When new, a synthetic cushion has great playing characteristics. However, because they do use a clay filler it tends to dry out and loses its bounce. It becomes what we know as a dead rail and an expensive replacement item. On the other hand, the K66 natural gum rubber cushion is designed to keep the same great playing characteristics for as long as you own the pool table.

So what is there to know about billiard cloth. First of all it should be between 18 to 22 ounces to give you the maximum life. Also it should be a combination of wool and nylon. The wool is what gives you that nap that fuzziness to the table. Also the nylon gives you that super strength just in case there's a miss cue. One other thing, you should insist on Teflon coated cloth just to protect you against spills and stains

Now let's take a look at accessories. When it comes to accessories you can get as basic or as elaborate as you like. Most pool tables come with the standard balls, cues, triangle and chalk.

Thank you for joining us today. We certainly hope the information you've received has been helpful. For more information stop by any Family Leisure store near you or shop online 24 hours a day at www.FamilyLeisure.com Where family and fun come together.

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• pool table
• buyers guide
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[bg048]

This video was helpful, but the only thing I need to know is whats the difference between the sizes of the pool tables?

[cabsk8er7]

I have a cue stick that is two halves, one being golden, and the other sold, textured, black. It comes in a case with a sticker on it title "Cue Tee, Winters International INC. It is possibly pretty old. The case is black. What is any info on how much its worth? Thx.

[nwilliams100]

I watched this video before shopping for a pool table and found it to be very helpful. I visited a few different retailers and came to find that Family Leisure really has a great selection and the prices (surprisingly) were better than anywhere. My Salesman, Ryan was informative and he even gave me free installation! I feel very confident that I purchased the best quality pool table that I could allow in my budget. They are installing my pool table this week! Thanks Family Leisure - Great !

[jeremyrde]

Awesome video on buying a pool table. I noticed a cheap pool table at a big box store once and wondered why it was so cheap. I could easily tell that the surface seemed super cheap. Now that I've seen this video I realized that it didn't even use slate. Thanks for a super informative video!

[jessejallred]

I recently installed a table from Family Leisure in my gameroom and I wanted to thank you. I was very impressed by the quality and how well the table plays. It looks fantastic and after seeing your video here I can see why the table is so great. Thank you for sharing the info and a perfect purchasing experience. This is the best table I've had in the last 15 years, you guys are awesome!