Factors to Consider When Buying Pool Tables
A pool table is a great investment and a good gaming device to have either in a public recreation facility such as a pub or in the home. With proper care and a little common sense, it will last for decades and offer you thousands of hours of quality recreation and enjoyment. Here are some important factors to consider when buying a pool table.
Best Size for Gaming
An 8-feet table is probably the best for most people. Smaller-sized pool tables tend to present many clustered balls while larger-sized ones can lead to frustration for the players since they require longer and harder-to-make shots. This size is ideal for homes too since most rooms can easily accommodate pool tables that size with plenty of room to spare. If you have acres of space, maybe you can try out the 9-feet or 10-feet pool tables. The advantage of getting used to playing in these bigger tables is that you will find it a lot easier to play on 8-feet tables- a factor that might play to your advantage during highly competitive games.
Warranties and Repairs
It is reassuring to know that your pool table will not lie unused due to problems such as broken pockets or the table falling out of level. Get a seller who is ready to service the table for you and do any repairs if necessary. It is strongly advisable that you get a written contract from the seller outlining the after-sales service they will provide for you. Do not just take the seller?s word for it when they claim they have a warranty of ten years for the table, only to discover five years later that they have closed shop. Ask the seller to give you a quote for how much they will charge you for routine maintenance procedures such as bi-annual change of the table?s felt as well as tightening the rails.
Economy Vs Enjoyment
It is strongly advisable to avoid skimping when purchasing a pool table. You need to remember that you will probably use the pool table for as many as 40 years, or even longer. Parting with an extra ?500 for a quality table certainly makes a lot of economic sense, considering just how long-lived a high quality table is. It is not uncommon to find pool tables that have been used by three generations in the family still in excellent condition.
The Right Colours
Blue and Green are the most favoured colours by many people when buying pool tables. Red is also quite common. Many people find other felt colours a little distracting or too ??loud??. Other colours also tend to become dirty quite easily and show chalk dust marks and grease stains more easily. However, the colour of the felt is a purely personal choice, so if you feel comfortable with that purple or pink-coloured pool table then, by all means, go for it. Most manufacturers stock tables with all the rainbow colours so take your pick. There are a variety of other decorations that are available. You can have your personal monogram emblazoned on the table, fix inlays on the table?s rails or even have inlaid counters at very reasonable prices or sometimes at no extra cost.
Levelling Visits
Levelling a new or used pool table is not as difficult as it sounds. Some sellers provide one or two subsequent visits to the customer?s home after installation to level the pool table.
Slate Composition
Cheaper pool tables come with a wooden bed located beneath the cloth. However, higher quality pool tables use a heavyweight slate underlay. The slate should have a minimum thickness of 7/8 inches and undergirded using slate liners.
These are some of the important factors to consider when buying your pool table. Remember that for long-lived items such as pool tables, cheap is generally expensive in the long run, so avoid the temptation to skimp.
Author Bio:
Gareth George is a sports writer and ardent billiards fan. He writes Articles and Blog posts on pool tables, poolevents, news, tips and guidelines for followers of the sport.
Image Credits: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snooker_Table_Start_Positions.jpg
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This is some real time factors discussed here about the pool table. I am a small club owner and this article helped me buy a table which is economic in the long run.