What is a pool table?

Pool games are a very popular game form in the western countries. Majority of families in America have a pool table installed at their homes. Pooling, as it’s fondly known sometimes, is a favorite pass time for many. Also called pocket billiards tables, pool tables are used to play specific games such as the eight-ball, nine-ball, straight pool and one-pocket pool games. One can even come across pool tables in malls, clubs, amusement parks, etc. Visitors can pay the requisite money and play away. It is a great way of relaxing and at the same time a means of spending some quality time with your friends over a pool game.

Pool tables have pockets; normally six of them. Each one pocket is installed at each corner of the table and one at the midpoint of each of the longer sides. Pool tables come in different shapes and sizes. The normal size of a pool table would vary from 9-foot, 8-foot, or 7-foot. The dimension between the noses of the cushions is called the playing surface. It is rectangular in shape. Though in normal games any size will do, but for specific tournaments and championships, a standard pool table is used. It’s the norm and one which has to be strictly followed.

The pool table pockets are normally rimmed with leather or plastic. Some even have leather bags to catch the balls. The tables can have slate beds or a normal wooden one. Other materials used for pool table beds include wood which has medium-density fiberboard and synthetic materials of various trade names. These could be different for different table manufacturers, but normally a standard thickness for the table must be maintained to ensure long term usage and girth.

Another version of a pool table is the bumper pool tables. They are smaller than a regular pool table, but all the more fun! The table has two pockets, placed opposite one another, located at the center of two of the rails. Most pool tables have twelve bumpers. But it could vary and you may come across pool tables that have fourteen or sixteen bumpers. Two of the bumpers are on either side of each pocket and the remaining bumpers are arranged in a cross in the center of the table. Pool tables with fourteen bumpers have three bumpers instead of two bumpers on each side of the space between the two holes.

You may come across fancy sights and diamonds put on the rails of the table. These enable better aiming of the banks or better kick shots. Usually there are six embedded along each long rail and three embedded along each short rail. These divide the playing surface into equal and perfect squares. Many a time’s spots are used to mark the head and foot spots. Other markings include drawing a line across the head string and also the outline of the rack behind the foot spot where the balls are racked in a neat pack.

So go ahead and have some fun with cool pool games on the pool table!

Merriee steve is an author of chevillotte.com, One of the best Billiard Table Manufacturer. He is writing articles on Pool Table since long time.