The game of pool is a favorite pastime that’s perfect for players of all ages and skill levels. If you’re searching for the perfect pool table, there are a lot of important things to consider. Amini’s has a wide variety of high-quality pool tables for sale in St. Louis and our other locations. Read on to discover a few helpful tips that will make it easy to find the optimum pool table for your game room.
Measure Your Game Room First
You wouldn’t buy a new sofa without measuring your living room first, and the same principle applies when you’re looking for a new pool table. Measure the size of your game room first and remember to account for the space around the table so that people can use the pool cue comfortably to make their shot. Most professional pool tables measure between 8 and 9 feet long. Smaller, bar-sized pool tables are approximately 7 feet long, but what really makes pool tables regulation size is their length to width ratio. For example, a pool table must have a ratio of 2:1 for length to width. Whatever size or style you choose, just be sure that it not only fits but that you have plenty of room around all sides for easy gameplay.
Look at the Leg Design
Pool table legs come in two styles: posts and two-piece. Post legs are the most popular style and feature sturdy bracers on the inside corner of each leg to keep the pool table secure, stable, and in place. Two-piece legs feature two different posts at each end, and they connect across the end of the pool table using wood, plastic, or a thin sheet of metal. This helps to strengthen the pool table and keep it stable. Always make sure that the legs of your pool table are stylish and strong enough to hold the tabletop so that the balls don’t roll around or shift. Your pool table’s tabletop makes up around 90 percent of the total weight, so choosing a model with sturdy legs is absolutely imperative.
Frame Materials
The perfect pool table should also have a sturdy frame. It should also come in a style that looks beautiful and complements the overall theme or design of your game room. Lightweight pool tables with plastic frames are great for kids, but they aren’t exactly ideal for more professional gameplay. Choose a pool table with a wood frame if you’re looking for something solid and strong. Wood also absorbs the impact so it’s stable and durable. A metal pool table frame is also durable, but they don’t absorb impact quite as well as wood does. However, metal frames can handle fluctuations in temperature, and they do a good job of resisting water. If you’re looking for a pool table for a garage, consider one with a metal frame.
Pool Tabletop Tips
Your tabletop will take a lot of abuse from rolling balls and pool cues. These tabletops come in a variety of materials that range from polyester or nylon fabric to wool and more. Polyester is the cheapest option, but it’s not the best choice for serious or frequent players because it tends to scratch and leaves marks behind. Most pool tables use a wool and nylon blend that looks nice, feels soft, and handles lots of wear and tear quite nicely. Another option is worsted wool, which is a mixture of 85-percent wool and 15-percent nylon. If you’re worried about water damage or stains from spilled drinks, try Teflon-treated cloth. This coating can provide a smooth surface, but keep in mind that it will wear off as time goes on.
Don’t Forget Accessories
After you find the perfect pool table, you’ll want to include some important accessories. Look for stylish and sturdy pool cue racks that will help you keep all of your important accessories neat and organized. Freestanding pool cue racks can be moved around, while wall-mounted designs are attached to the wall to hold everything in place. You can also add some stylish pool table lights to your game room. Not only will this make the room look more official, but these pool table lights help to make it easier to see while you’re participating and competing. Remember to choose a high-quality pool cue when you buy a new pool table. We carry a wide variety of designs made by McDermott, some of the most recognized pool cues in the billiard industry. Come visit our showroom today so we can help you find the right pool table, furniture, and accessories for your game room!