Measure Your Pool Table
Measuring Your Pool Table
There are different sizes of pool tables and knowing your measurements can save you money and heartache. Different manufacturers use different width rails, so the industry standard is to measure your playing field. You should also know that a seven footer isn’t truly 7′, an eight footer isn’t really 8′ and so on. Some people also are convinced they have one size and they really have an other.
Take your tape measure and measure in inches between the cushion noses on the short end of the table (see photo of an 8′ right). Don’t measure under the cushion or inside the pocket. The length is typically double the width, but if it makes you feel better you can measure lengthwise, too.
Typical sizes are:
7′ — 40″ x 80″
8′ — 44″ x 88″
Pro 8′ — 46″ x 92″
9′ — 50″ x 100″
Figuring Out the Number of Slates
So, you aren’t sure if you have a one piece slate pool table? It makes a huge difference if you are moving a table, especially when there are stairs involved. 
Take a look underneath the rails near the side pocket. If you see a break like in the photo to your right, you have a three piece slate table. If you don’t see a break, you can look underneath the table for two support cross beams. Two support beams usually means your table is a three piece slate, but not always.
Newer tables usually have three pieces of slate. Many tables manufactured in the 1970s and 1980s used one piece slates, but not all. Nine footers never have a one piece slate except Diamond coin operated tables. Some antique tables have four pieces and we have yet to see a table that has two pieces.
Still not sure? Give us a call and we can try and help you find out. Hopefully, before you get the expensive surprise.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years we have been asked a number of questions. Sometimes over and over. We have tried to answer the most common ones below.| Question | Date |
|---|---|
| How much does a pool table weigh?A typical 8′ slate pool table weighs about 750 pounds. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:30 PM |
| What forms of payment to you accept?We accept cash or debit cards and most major credit cards such as: Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. | 8 Oct, 2009 10:37 PM |
| What is a standard size pool table?Most people refer to an 8′ table as a standard for home use. The playing field is 44″ x 88″. Most coin operated tables are 7′ and tournament sized tables are 9′. The best way to find out what size you have is to measure from cushion tip to cushion tip on the short side of the table. The length is always double the width. The only time you should measure the outside dimensions of your table is when you are ordering a custom cover. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:30 PM |
| How long will my felt last?If the table is used daily for four hours a day you can expect your cloth to last about 3 years. Most people however will choose to change the color long before it is worn out. You can prolong the life of your cloth by brushing your table regularly. Remember, keeping your table covered is the best way to protect it. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:38 PM |
| How do I brush my table?The best way to brush the table is to stay in one direction. This will keep the nap of the cloth uniform. It is also okay to use a small hand held vacuum cleaner to keep your table looking fresh. A lint roller is also a lifesaver for dark cloth colors or pet hair and is safe to use. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:39 PM |
| Is it okay to move my pool table without taking it apart? How do you move a pool table?99% of the time the answer is “NO”. The best way to transport a pool table is to have it disassembled in its current location, transport the pieces, then reassembled in its new location. The only exceptions are tables that are constructed to be placed on their sides (coin operated tables) or in a situation where there is a large opening that the table can be dollied out as a whole. You should still consult a professional before moving your table yourself. Even tables in these situations can be damaged if they are improperly supported. NEVER take the legs off of a furniture style table or turn it on its side to try and fit it through the door. This will only cause major headaches and cost a small fortune to fix. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:40 PM |
| How much space do I need in my room?A standard 44″ x 88″ (8′) pool table needs a minimum of 42″ around the playing field. Ideally you should have at least 58″ for a standard sized cue. Please refer to our room chart for common room dimensions. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:41 PM |
| Is it neccessary to replace the felt when moving a pool table?No. The cloth can usually be saved if it has been removed carefully and the table has not been moved more than twice before (except worsted cloth). Remember that any knicks or tears in the cloth will get slightly larger when stretched for reassembly. If you are thinking about changing the cloth it is more cost effective to do so at the time of the move. Refelting at the time of your move saves you around $100 labor. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:41 PM |
| How long should my cushion rubber last?Generally 20-25 years, although some tables last longer. If the table has seen direct sunlight, cushion life will be reduced. We have also seen tables less than five years old that have bad cushions. It is unusual but it happens. You can test your cushions by thowing a ball firmly against a cushion on the short side. It should make 3-4 cushion contacts before coming to rest. The telltale sign of a dead cushion is a "thud" noise on contact. Cushions should be quiet and lively. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:48 PM |
| How high should I hang my lamp above my table?There should be 32"-36" between the bottom of the lamp and cloth on the table. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:48 PM |
| When should I replace my cue tip? (How can I prevent tears in my cloth?) You should check your cue regularly for wear. When the leather tip wears down to the thickness of dime it is time to replace it. By keeping your tip in good shape, you will not only get consistant play but also prevent tears in the cloth from miscues. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:49 PM |
| Can I put a pool table upstairs? In a garage?Yes! There may be an additional fee to move a table up a flight of stairs, but there is no reason that you can not put it there. We are assuming that your place is up to code of course. The table is probably as heavy as three or four big men. Garages are a little more tricky to level, but it can be done. We have installed many tables in garages with no problems. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:50 PM |
| What are billiard balls made of? High quality balls are made of pure phenolic resin. Lower quality balls are made of polyester or other polymers. Resin balls last longer, clean easier and prevent cloth burns. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:50 PM |
| What do I do? I spilled my drink on my cloth! Remember that prevention is key. You should not eat or drink near your table. But, if you do find yourself in this situation, act quickly. Sop up as much liquid as possible with clean dry paper towels. The longer the liquid sits, the more it will stain the cloth. Having somewhere convenient (like a pub table) to place your food/drink can also help. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:50 PM |
| How long does it take to... setup a new pool table? Approximately 1.5 - 2 hours. move a table from one house to another? About 3 hours, not including drive time or flights of stairs. refelt a pool table? About 2.5 hours. | 8 Oct, 2009 11:51 PM |
| Are you associated with Danny K's Billiards?We are not associated with Danny K's. It is purely coincidence that Danny Kuykendall and David Kay share the same initials and are invloved with billiards. DK Billiards Service and Showroom is located about a block away from Danny K's Billiards. There is no relation but Danny K's is great place to hang out, eat and DEFINITELY play a great game of pool. | 21 Nov, 2009 1:32 PM |