Few people don’t enjoy a game of pool every now and then, and it is no wonder; being great fun and accessisible to all. Most of us of course have to limit our games to nights out with friends of course, but you can always have your own; with many companies providing pool tables for the home.

Whether this is purely for recreational fun or to improve your game as a real enthusiast however, there are a lot more to pool tables than four legs and a bit of baize.

The first thing you need to determine is what size of table to have. This obviously has to be driven by the space available. However, it is important to understand that you will need considerable space around the table; in order that players can make their shots with ease; though smaller cues can of course be used as necessary.

Whilst there is no hard and fast rule to the size of a pool table, the most common are seven and eight foot in length. The widths of the tables tend not to vary a great deal, at about four to four and half foot; the rule of thumb being that it is proportionate by 50% to the length.

The third size of table, often used in tournaments, is nine foot in length. If you want something over this, bespoke tables or a snooker table could be considered of course.

The single most important aspect to the success of pool tables is in their construction; and most particularly the quality of the bed. Whilst cheaper tables can be bought that uses wood, these are rarely cost effective. For a truly great experience, slate is the preferred choice, which should be at least three quarters of an inch in depth.

Over this, a good quality felt should be laid. Look for something that has a high thread count, and is a composite of cotton and wool; to a ratio of 25:75. Great fun in the design and color can be had here too, if the standard offerings of green, blue and red are not to your liking.

Whilst pool tables can be put together by their owners, it is likely that a far better result will be achieved by the professionals. It can be all too easy to create an uneven playing surface; which will not only spoil the games played, but will result in the table and certainly the felt having a shorter lifespan.

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in pool tables. If you want further information about pool tables or are searching for a reputable pool table online retailer please visit http:.//www.topofthecue.com

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