Billiard table , Pool table

A billiard table
or billiards table (or more specifically a pool table or snooker table) is a bounded table on which billiards-type games are played. In the modern era, all billiards tables, regardless of whether for carom billiards, pocket billiards (pool) or snooker, provide a flat surface usually made of quarried slate, that is covered with cloth and surrounded by resilient cushions, with the whole elevated above the floor.

History

In the United States, manufacture of billiard tables has been ongoing since at least the mid nineteenth century. The forerunner of the Brunswick Company began commercial manufacture in 1845. In San Francisco, California, several manufacturers were active by the late 1800s

Dimensions

Many people are confused by the use of the word "regulation", using it when what they mean to refer to is the size of tables used for professional tournaments. Regulation tables come in 3.5 ft by 7 ft, 4 ft by 8 ft, 4.5 ft by 9 ft, 5 ft by 10 ft, and 6 ft by 12 ft (depending upon factors such as available room in the venue, and what game type the table is intended for) with play areas twice as long as they are wide (plus or minus 1/8 in) from the nose of the cushion to the nose of the opposite cushion, i.e., perfect or close to perfect rectangles. The 4.5 ft by 9 ft model is the standard size for tournament play and is "regulation" when the side to side internal width is 50 in and the length is 100 in (plus or minus 1/8 in), when measured cushion nose to cushion nose. In previous generations 10 ft tables were standard for pool, and can still be found as antiques in some pool halls; this size remains the standard for carom games. For home use, 8 ft tables are somewhat common, but infrequently used elsewhere. Snooker tables, the largest at 12 feet when full-sized, have smaller pocket aperatures than pool tables, as do models for Russian pyramid. The 7 ft models, usually coin-operated, are typically found in bars/pubs due to limited space, and are also used for the Korean game of four ball. Coin-operated pool tables use multiple ways to determine the cue ball from the object balls, including light sensors, different ball sizes/weights, or magnetic triggers.

While most tables are rectangles, there are novelty tables which are round, hexagonal and even zig-zag shaped. These variants, however, are all far less popular than the ubiquitous, traditional rectangular tables.

How I Got Snookered By An Antique Pool Table

When I inherited an antique Brunswick pool table from my great uncle Ivan, I did not know what to do. You see, I have a limited amount of space. My condo is not small, but it is not huge either. If I had wanted to, I would be able to keep the antique pool table, but I certainly could not store it.

I wondered if I should sell the antique pool table, or if I should play on it. It was in good condition, and I had always wanted to have a billiard table of my own. An antique billiard table seemed like such a classy thing to have. I knew that my uncle used to play on it from time to time, and antique pool tables seemed to withstand wear pretty well.

The problem was, my uncle Ivan was not much of a drinker. If he had been, the antique pool table would not have lasted in the condition that it was in. I have seen my friends play pool at bars. They get drunk and ram their cues into the felt. I shuddered to think about what that would do to the antique pool table. It would be a shame to damage such a beautiful antique!

The antique pool table really was beautiful. It was made of a dark wood, well finished and heavy. The pockets had their original webbing, the table was finished with the original felt, and everything was balanced perfectly. It even came with a set of fairly well preserved antique pool cues. Although they were slightly warped from age, they were still serviceable. Don't get me wrong – I would rather use my own cue on that antique pool table. Even so, it was nice to have the whole set together.

In the end, I decided to keep the antique pool table. I would simply have to watch it carefully. From then on, I did not drink with my friends in my house. I knew that once the drinks started flowing, I could not stop something from happening to the antique pool table. I would, however, invite my friends over to my house in the afternoon sometimes for a game or two of 8-ball. They thought that I was being unreasonable by refusing to play host for evening soirées, but I knew that I had to do what I had to do. It was the only way for me to take care of that antique pool table.

Commercial Pool Tables

Pool table is the central part of a pool game.

Commercial pool tables are one among the different types of pool tables. It is the best pool table for those whishing to play a quality game.



Commercial pool tables

are slightly larger in size. Commercial pool tables are 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. To meet individual demand, customized commercial pool tables are also available. Usually commercial pool tables are used by professional players.



A pool table includes a body, a bed, side cushions, a felt-covered surface, and pockets.

The body of the commercial pool tables is made using solid hardwood such as oak, maple, and walnut. The bed of a commercial pool table is made of three pieces of slate, each with a thickness of one or one and half inches. This ensures a perfect playing surface for professional players. Monarch and Italian slates are widely used for making beds in commercial pool tables. To enhance anti-friction coating, all pool tables are covered with felt or billiard cloth. In commercial pool tables, wool or wool blend fabrics are most commonly used. The tables are surrounded by solid low rails, approximately 4 to 6 inches wide.



Commercial pool tables

are available in different models ranging from traditional to conventional. Commercial pool tables can be used for indoor and outdoor tournaments and entertainments. Commercial pool tables meant for outdoor use come with metal frames, to protect the tables from bad weather. Commercial pool tables also come with different warranties. Some are complemented with cues, set of pool balls and scoreboard.



Commercial pool tables

can be purchased from any of the leading outlets, dealers, online stores, or manufactures. Valley is one of the leading manufacturers of quality commercial pool tables in America. Commercial pool tables are available in different price levels, based on craftsmanship and quality. A quality commercial pool table will cost around $4,000.

Types of Pool Tables

There are different types of pool tables available in the market. A standard pool table is 96 inches long. The style of table, wood type and cloth color are factors that can differentiate pool tables from one another.

Types of pool tables available in the market are Custom Pool tables, Home or Commercial Pool tables, Coin operated Pool tables, and Reconditioned Pool tables. The commercial types are used mainly in bars, hotels, and clubs. Pool tables are also classified based on the type of material used and size. They are Slate Pool Tables, Non slate (Slatron) Pool Tables, All Outdoor Pool Tables, Murray Pool Tables, Mizerak Pool Tables, 7' Pool Tables, 8' Pool Tables and 9' Pool Tables.
Pool tables are generally made from three types of material. They are mica laminate or vinyl melamine coating, veneer laminates and solid wood. Mica laminate or vinyl melamine coated pool tables are less expensive as they use unframed slate of 3/4" thickness and leather of inferior quality. They are available only in few colors as they cannot be stained. The second type of pool table is veneer laminated where the lamination is made over wood made of particleboard, laminated layers of solid wood, or MDF board. This type of pool table has 3/4" to 1" thick slate, available with or without wood framing. They are available in different colors.

The third type of pool table is made from solid or hardwood. It is considered as the best built tables available in the market. They use all types of wood and are available in a wide range of styles. The common types of wood used for its manufacture are Oak, Cherry, Poplar, Maple, Ash, and Mahogany. They are available in wood type finishes and along with other commonly available paint finishes.

Outdoor type of pool table is weatherproof. Pool tables are available as multi-functional tables, which can also be used as a supper table or a poker table.

Snooker tables

A billiard table designed for the game snooker is called a snooker table.

Dimensions
A standard tournament snooker table measures 11 ft 8.5 in by 5 ft 10 in (3569 mm by 1778 mm), though commonly referred to as 12 ft by 6 ft.. The height from the floor to the top of the cushion is between 2 ft 9.5 in and 2 ft 10.5 in (851 mm and 876 mm).

Pockets
A snooker table has six pockets, one at each corner and one at the center of each of the longest side cushions. The pockets are around 90 mm (3.5 in), though high-class tournaments may use slightly smaller pockets to increase difficulty. The amount of "undercut" in the pocket determines how easily a ball is accepted. Compared to a billiards table, snooker table pockets are rounded, while pool tables have sharp corners. This affects how accurate shots need to be to get in a pocket and on rail shots from one end of the table to the other.

Cushions
The cushions (sometimes known as rails, though that term properly applies to the wood sections the cushions are attached to) are usually made of vulcanized rubber.

The bed
The playing surface or "bed" of a good quality snooker table has a base of slate and is covered with green baize or worsted wool. The thickness of the cloth determines the speed, accuracy and responsiveness of the table to spin, thicker cloths being more hard-wearing but slower and less responsive. The nap of the cloth can affect the run of the balls, especially on slower shots. A snooker table traditionally has the nap running from baulk to the top end and is brushed and ironed in this direction.

Markings
The baulk area is marked by a line drawn at 29 in (737 mm) from the bottom cushion. A semicircle with a radius of 11.5 in (292 mm) centred on this line within baulk forms the "D" in which the cue ball must be placed when breaking or after the cue ball has been potted or shot off the table. The position of four of the colours are marked along the long string (lengthwise centre) of the table, perpendicular to the baulk line: the spot, or black spot, 12.5 in (324 mm) from the top cushion; the centre spot, or blue spot, located at the mid-point between the bottom and top cushions; The pyramid spot, or pink spot, located midway between the centre spot and the top cushion; and the brown spot, located at the mid-point of the baulk line. The exact placing of these markings will be different on smaller tables, such as a 5 ft by 10 ft pub table.