Selecting the Right
Size Pool Table for your home.
Standard table sizes are
measured by the actual playing surface (from the cloth
covered nose of the cushion rubber to the opposite
cushion rubber). They are 44"x88" (8 foot
table), 46"x92" (oversized or pro 8 table),
50"x100" (9 foot table) and 56"x112"
(10 foot table). The Billiard Congress of America
(BCA), the governing body for the sport of billiards
in the US, states that it will "sanction Tournament
Play on Home and Coin-operated tables produced sizes
other than those recognized above if the playing area
width is one half the length". Our manufacturers
produce all their tables in these sizes as well as
a 7 foot table with a playing surface of 38"x76"
which is similar in size to most bar or coin-operated
tables.
Room size
is obvously a major consideration when choosing which
size table you want. Another important consideration
is playing skill. The larger the playing surface,
the more challenging the game becomes. Most families
prefer the standard 8 foot table. Serious players
will prefer a 9 foot table but may have to concede
to the oversized 8 due to room size. Ten foot tables
are most often used for carom and snooker tables.
Most room
size charts understate the amount of room you need
to play comfortably and effectively. You must not
only allow for the length of the cue stick but also
at least 6 inches for stroke. Since a standard cue
is 57" long, you should allow 57"+6"
to each side of the table, or a total of 126"
when playing with standard length cue sticks. For
an 8 foot table, which has a 44" x 88" playing
field, your ideal room size would therefore be at
least 44"+126"= 14' 2" wide, and 88"+126"=
17' 10" long.
You can
get away with less area if you use shorter cue sticks.
Cue sticks are readily available in 52" and 48"
lengths. If you are constrained in certain spots you
can get away with 10" to 18" less space
by switching to these shorter cues when necessary.
In extreme cases, you could lop as much as 3 feet
off the recommended room dimensions shown below by
using half of a standard 2 piece cue. You can even
buy caps to screw into the lower half of the cue.
A word
of advice: Don't let the need to use shorter cues
for a few shots force you into a smaller table than
you would like. Be especially wary of settling for
a 7 foot table when using shorter cues could allow
you to accomodate an 8 footer. The game is very different
on smaller tables. Unless you are accustomed to playing
on small bar tables and really prefer that style of
play, you will find the larger sizes much more challenging
and enjoyable.
The minimum
room sizes using standard 57" cues are as follows:
7 foot
table (38"x76") --- 13' 8" x 16' 10"
8
foot table (44"x88") --- 14' 2" x 17’
10"
oversize
8 (46"x92") --- 14' 4" x 18' 2"
9
foot table (50"x100") ---14' 8" x 19'
Consumer
guide to purchasing a pool table Click
Here
Back
to Main Pool Table FAQ Click
Here
|
