Pool Table

[Jeff423]

Growing up we had a pool table in the basement and I enjoyed it. 60 years later and I now have the space for one (I think). Judging by the number for sale on Market Place around me on any given day: 30+ ranging in price (for 3 piece slate) from $500 to $13,000. I'm wondering if the two happiest days of a pool table ownership are the day you buy it and the day you sell it?
I've looked at some videos about moving them and while it doesn't look too bad I would hire a pro.
Questions, if I decide to buy:
Are there makes, types, brands, sizes that are better or worse?
Should I plan on redoing the bumpers and/or felt during the move?
How much does it cost to move?
Regarding size, how much room is necessary around the table? I want to be sure my room is large enough.
Thanks in advance.

 

[A10]

We had a 3 piece slate Brunswick when I was growing up. You need enough room around the table to shoot, we had at least 4 feet on each side but 5 would have been better. I have no idea what the moving cost would be, as we moved with it twice and did it ourselves. Leveling was the most critical part of the move.

As far as refelting it would depend on the current condition. If you decide to make sure the felt is properly stretched. That was probably the hardest part of moving it.

 

[Imissedagain]

For a 9 foot table, a minimum of an 18'x14' area might work.
20'x16' is best for a standard length cue.
When my buddy got a 9 foot table, I took home the 3 slates, but the rails were a bit worn out. Something to consider with a used table.
Great lighting above is a must.
Straight pool on a 9', as 8 ball, on any table, is a beer drinkers game.

 

[rockquarry]

Very seriously consider if you'd really use it much. For me, the new wore off a good quality slate pool table quickly, just as it did with a ski boat, motorcycle, and travel trailer. That was all many years ago; glad I got those things out of my system. I miss none of them.

 

[sophie]

I'm wondering if the two happiest days of a pool table ownership are the day you buy it and the day you sell it?
Thanks in advance.

You undoubtedly have owned a boat before after reading that quote above.

About 55 years ago I bought a nice Brunswick, 3 piece slate as I remember, overall condition very good. We really didn't have the room to spare, but I bought the pool table anyway. I sold the table after owning it 2 years and never looked back. If I wanted to play pool, I would go to the Pool Hall in the basement of the Amarillo Building. The Pool Hall had 2 Billiard, 4 Snooker, and 6 Eight Ball tables. Also a grill, beer, and good company. Sadly the Spot closed a long time ago.

Sorry, I got off the subject.
If you really have got the room for a pool table and not worry about it, I would say go for it. I would have a nice cover made for the table when not in use. Shooting pool is lots of fun.

 

[lihpster]

Standard pool cue length is 57-58 inches. Should be at least that much space between the table and any obstacles. When we had a table in the garage, we had one short side that was closer to the wall. We got a shorty cue to use on that side. It worked, but it wasn't ideal.
Another thing to look at, if it's in your budget, is buying a new table. Most places will deliver, set up and level the table for you. My buddy got one from Golden West Billiards, a manufacturer of pool tables here in town. An excellent table and about $3K 25 years ago. Worth looking into.



Edit: The cover suggestion is a good one. Allows you to use the table for other things when not playing pool.

 

[max]

I paid $200 for a used Brunswick 20 or so years ago. I paid professionals to move it and set it up, but I don't remember the cost. I haven't played for several years, but keep thinking I want to.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Growing up in the 70's, Mom gave one to dad for Christmas. It was the showroom demo. I was a discontinued model and the store employees broke one of the slates. So we got upgraded slate! A few things we learned 1) anything less than 1" thick has temperature variation problems! 2) 1 1/8" is far more expensive than 1", but well worth it! 3) Quality balls are very important, have a kids set and a good set.

Our house had support posts that encroached on the ideal space around the table. So Short Que Sticks are a must! Don't use Bumper Pool Sticks! (too light weight) Pick up some secondhand sticks and cut them to the need, 2 or 3 lengths is a plus. Have a second "bridge" also (either length is fine.)

Pool etiquette is something that is necessity, explain it to new players!

There are lots of games besides 8 Ball, Learn 3 or 4 others.

At age 11, I was taken under wing of two old Gentlemen (Sharks/Hustlers) that taught me the finer points of "Geometry & Pool". Pool is a skill that fed grandpa's family many times during the depression, but remember, There is ALWAYS somebody somewhere that is better than you! Several times, Grandpa came home from Toledo, all Black & Blue!

BTW, Dad's replacement wife wouldn't let my brother, or I have Dad's Table or Grandpa's custom cue after Dad passed, she uses it to fold laundry on!

Ivan

 

[Onomea]

My father bought an inexpensive pool table when he retired and stuck it in an unused barn. It became kind of a club house for him and his three sons when we visited him, a place to drink beer, cuss, and play pool without disturbing the womenfolk — or vice versa. It did have an unfortunate table roll. A lot of fun though.

Someone later gave my brother a nice one contingent upon him taking it away. He paid for professional movers, and professional recovering and set up. I don't recall what he paid, but I do recall that it was not cheap. He moved it once when he bought a new house, but left it behind several houses ago.

I'd consider who you gonna play with. Probably not much fun just by yourself.

 

[daddio202]

There are only 2 pool tables that will hold their value. A Brunswick Gold Crown 1, 2 or 3. made in 50's, 60's and early 70's. They were only made in 9 foot or oversized 8 foot tables. Best tables bare none. Brunswick made a few models in the 1940's that are very very desirable . You have to have a good pool table mechanic set them up proper with new cloth. You can find good deals on them in original condition if you look hard for them. A complete redone table with new rubber and cloth are easier to find but cost more. That is one way to go vintage. The other table is Diamond being made today a couple styles and different sizes are available. Diamond pool tables are the table used in APA tournaments all across the U.S. problem with going new is the approximate 6 month wait time to have one made. Either Brunswick Gold Crowns or Diamonds will run between $5000 to $15,000. Any other brand or models are going to depreciate to near nothing in a matter of years.

 

[rockquarry]

There are only 2 pool tables that will hold their value. A Brunswick Gold Crown 1, 2 or 3. made in 50's, 60's and early 70's. They were only made in 9 foot or oversized 8 foot tables. Best tables bare none. Brunswick made a few models in the 1940's that are very very desirable . You have to have a good pool table mechanic set them up proper with new cloth. You can find good deals on them in original condition if you look hard for them. A complete redone table with new rubber and cloth are easier to find but cost more. That is one way to go vintage. The other table is Diamond being made today a couple styles and different sizes are available. Diamond pool tables are the table used in APA tournaments all across the U.S. problem with going new is the approximate 6 month wait time to have one made. Either Brunswick Gold Crowns or Diamonds will run between $5000 to $15,000. Any other brand or models are going to depreciate to near nothing in a matter of years.

I'd never buy another pool table, but your advice makes sense whether it's pool tables, guns, or just about anything else. Spend a little more and get something of very good quality that will hold value well and be desirable to others when it's time to sell.

 

[A10]

The cover is a necessity, as is cleaning/brushing the felt every time you play. It keeps it in proper condition.

Ours was a 1 1/4" slate bought in the mid 60s. They were selling 2" slate at the time but Dad rightly said it would be too heavy for us to move.

We played a lot as kids, and I spent a lot of time shooting by myself to get to understand nuances of the game.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

I try to shoot a few racks every day. Wife bought me a full size Brunswick with legs to match her furniture. We had to move it once. When they finished, I asked them to wait a minute. Tried an old full English shot that returned straight across the table. Made them re-stretch the felt. Did my English shot and told them they could go. They wanted to see the shot one more time.

I try not to cover the table, though I have a nice cover. Things accumulate on it. Make sure it is level everywhere, and make sure the felt is tight. Get a new felt if it needs one when you buy it, or ask the movers to bring it. Walking up and down the stairs and bending different ways to shoot has really helped my back and shoulders a lot.

 

[Jeff423]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I won't go forward with the table. For one reason is that while I do have the room it is the only spare room I have and I think I might, in the future, regret dedicating it to pool.

 

[Walkin Horse]

I once owned a 9' Brunswick-Balke-Collender table made in the 40's. It had poplar Timbers underneath the slate. It was great at first with plenty of people coming by to play but that didn't last long. Ended up losing it in the divorce. I found for $65 dollars a year, joining the Moose Lodge is a better deal. The lodge I belong to is smoke free and the tables are free to play. We go on Friday or Saturday night and can usually get a table. Don't think just because it's the Moose that everyone is drinking. The pool players are all friendly and polite. Unlike a pool hall or bar I've not seen anyone sit a beer bottle in a pocket. In addition there are games,which I don't play, and bands and dances.

 

[Imissedagain]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I won't go forward with the table. For one reason is that while I do have the room it is the only spare room I have and I think I might, in the future, regret dedicating it to pool.

You might like to get a Grand Piano.
OR,
A Kettler Ping Pong table that folds up.
I bought the Mrs one for Mother's Day.
Table Shuffleboard, on a long table.
Great stuff if kids are in your life and Beer.

 

[pharmer]

Get the table. I had an almost 50 year layoff from the game, started back with a bunch of local guys. Not having my college tuition riding on my 9 ball game it's become wildly fun. I don't have 25% of my "20 y/o game" but attempting magic shots and occasionally making one is the ****. I can't snow ski, play tennis and a lot of other "contact sports" so pool is a great substitute. Just my $.02. Joe
Brunswick Gold Crown VI Pool Table - 9ft.

 

[45Smashemflat]

I've often thought a rebounding shuffle board table would be fun.

 

[gym cat]

Back in the late 60's one of my good friends and his new wife bought a house, it actually had a pool table in their bedroom. They got a lot of play out to it!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[glowe]

I lived with one while growing up. My father had a table in a 16 x 18 room with only had a little furniture against the wall. If I were to purchase one, I would choose 4 x 8 as a good compromise. 4.5 x 9 tables are just too big for most homes. 3.5 x 7 is too small in my opinion. Our table was 1" one piece fine particle board, so easy to move and framed underneath so you could level it perfectly using wood wedges. No one who played on that table ever complained about it not being level as long as it was in the home. As I recall, there are a couple options for bumpers and if so, get the thicker ones since they last much longer and give better bounce.

I do also recall that my father fashioned a two piece ping pong table for the top that doubled as a "fancy eating table". Worked great and offered a cover as well. You only needed to remove the two pieces and lean them against the wall to play pool.