A pool table. How to choose a billiard table

Billiards is a game that was sung by the classics and conquered politicians and owners large companies. A game in which the generals have always been proud of their victories no less than their successes in military operations. Its popularity has been steadily growing since the time of Peter the Great.

In general, billiards is not just a game. But it can only be appreciated at its true worth if the table was chosen correctly. It depends on this component whether you will feel the taste of excitement or will experience discomfort from the game. The table should be a purchase that will delight its owner for a long period of time. So how do you choose the right billiard table?

Advantages and disadvantages

billiard table in own house let you play whenever you want

Ownership personal desk billiards has many advantages. These include points such as:

The ability to play anytime you want;
You don't have to pay to play.

The disadvantages of these tables include the fact that:

The billiard table takes up too much space, so it cannot be placed in a small apartment or a crowded house;
To buy a table, you will have to shell out a round sum;
An incorrectly chosen table cannot guarantee high playing qualities.

Table components

When choosing a table, be sure to pay attention to compliance with technical specifications.

Bed, i.e. frame. The main requirement for the frame is the rigidity of the structure, which allows it to withstand heavy loads of the playing field slabs. During operation, the table should not stagger.
Side rubber. The sides of the table must be edged special rubber, which has a certain configuration and a homogeneous composition. There is only one requirement for rubber - the presence of elasticity. A quality element will give an equally strong rebound in any part of it.
Additional elements perform a decorative function. However, for many it is appearance is the determining criterion for table selection. The best, of course, are tables made of precious wood. If we talk about savings, then it is better to choose tables that combine different materials in their design. Sometimes manufacturers make the legs and frame from MDF, and the sides and other elements from mahogany. All components are painted in the same color, so it is impossible to see any difference.
The base of the playing field. At the base of the table are plates, which are made of a hard material with a smooth surface. The main requirements that are put forward to the plates are: high strength, ease of processing (the smoothness of the surface depends on this parameter). Budget option a field made of laminated chipboard is considered. The advantages of such a coating include the minimum cost, as well as low weight. However, it is important to consider here that such plates cannot provide you with high gaming parameters. In addition, they begin to deform even with slight changes in temperature or humidity.
The cloth is the coating that is applied to the slabs. It must have a whole range of properties, for example, elasticity and strength. In addition, when choosing, it is also important to inspect the cloth for puffs or knots.
Pockets. The main criterion for assessing the quality is the geometry of the pocket.

Influence of room size

If the room does not allow allocating free space of 4 × 5 m, then it is better to refuse from the idea of installing a table at home. If you have free space more than 5 × 7 m, then the table can be placed in any corner of this space.

Features of choosing a table for playing Russian billiards and pool

Reference table size for Russian billiards - 370x190 cm

When choosing a table for playing Russian billiards, it is important to consider its size. Manufacturers adhere to this line: 7.8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 feet.

They have the following dimensions:

12 feet is the table size 370x190cm;
11 feet - 340 x 170 cm;
10 feet - 310x160;
9 ft - 280 x145 cm;
8 feet - 250 x130 cm;
7 feet - 220x115 cm.

A 12-foot table is the standard for playing Russian billiards. Such tables are very often called tournament tables, since all championships are held on them. The remaining types are produced for those whose premises do not allow placing too large tables.

The pool table will take up much less space in the room

To play pool, tables of 6, 7, 8, 9 feet are used.

Is there a difference between accommodation in an apartment, house and cottage

The areas of many cottages allow you to place a billiard table, but everything can rest on the issue of heating

Certainly there is a difference. The apartment does not always allow us to place the table that we want. That is why you have to buy a small table so that it does not interfere in the room. There are usually no problems with this item in houses.

With regards to giving, you should not forget that this unheated room. Due to temperature changes, your table can lead. Manufacturers advise placing the table in a room where the temperature ranges from 5 to 15 degrees, while the humidity should not exceed 80%.

Now you know what criteria you should pay attention to when choosing a table for playing billiards. But in order for it to please you for more than one year, it is also important to observe elementary rules operation - for example, do not forget to put on a cover, change the cloth every six months, and also observe temperature regime and keep an eye on the humidity.

The length and width of the tables is determined by the distance between the opposite elastic sides.

Tables for Russian billiards 4.5 x 9 and 6 x 12 feet (1382 x 2764 and 1870 x 3650 mm)
Pool tables 4 x 8 and 4.5 x 9 ft (1229 x 2458 and 1382 x 2764 mm)
Snooker tables 6 x 12 feet (1870 x 3650 mm)
Pocketless tables (carom, chips) 4.5 x 9 and 5 x 10 ft (1382 x 2764 and 1536 x 3072 mm)

Billiard table height:

The playing surface of the table for Russian billiards should be at a height of 820 mm from the floor. The height of the snooker table is 850mm and the height of the pool and pocketless tables is 750mm.

Luz Solutions:

For Russian billiard tables: Corner pocket 74 - 76 mm. Middle pocket 80 - 82 mm
For pool tables: Corner pocket 134.8 - 150.4 mm. Middle pocket 137.6 - 144 mm
For snooker tables: Corner pocket 88.4 - 92.8 mm. Middle pocket 104 - 106 mm

Requirements for the playing surface of the table:

The playing surface of the tables must be horizontal. The slope along the edges of the table should be within 0.5 mm in the longitudinal direction and 0.25 mm in the transverse direction. If several plates are used in the design of the table, then they must be joined to each other with an accuracy of 0.125 mm. When applying a concentrated load of 90 kg in the center of the table, the deflection should not exceed 0.75 mm. The playing surface must be capable of withstanding a 170 g ball falling from a height of 180 cm, without dents or cracks appearing on the plate. The plates must be securely fastened to the table frame with screws or bolts. The slab(s) are covered with a special billiard cloth, which must be well stretched.

Billiard balls:

Balls for Russian billiards: Weight: 280 - 290 g. Diameter: 68 mm
Pool balls: Weight: 156 - 170 g Diameter: 57.6 mm
Snooker balls: Weight: 142 - 156 mm. Diameter: 54.4mm, 52.8mm.
Carom balls: Weight: 198 - 213 g. Diameter: 62.0 mm, 60.8 mm, 62.4 mm

Billiard cues:

The cue must be straight and balanced.

Cue for Russian billiards: Length: 1500 - 1600 mm. Weight: 650 - 700 g
Pool cues: Length: 1500 - 1520 mm. Weight: 500 - 560 g
Snooker cue: Length: 1400 - 1450 mm. Weight: 450 - 480 g
Carom cue: Length: 1350 - 1500 mm. Weight: 480 - 520 g

billiard table size depends on the game for which it is intended. Sports billiards is divided into two main varieties - Russian and American, each of which requires special billiard tables. But Russian and American billiards are distinguished not so much by billiard tables as by the philosophy of the game itself. If used as a comparison card games, then Russian billiards is more like preference, and American billiards is more like poker.

For Russian billiards tables the size of the playing field is from 8 to 12 feet, billiard tables with a playing field of 7-9 feet are required. Choosing a quality billiard table, it is also important to correctly calculate its size so that it fits into the room for which it is intended.

Before purchasing a billiard table, you need to determine which table is right for you. First of all, it is necessary to determine the room where the table will be installed, and select the optimal size table from the table:

Billiard room size

The size of the billiard room is comfortable and minimal.

Comfort size billiard room is calculated as follows: the size of the billiard table + the length of the cue (for the pyramid - 160 cm, for the American pool - 150 cm) + the distance you need to swing. Usually this distance is 25-40 cm. With this arrangement of billiards, nothing should prevent you from playing.

The situation is somewhat more complicated with the minimum size of a billiard room. Usually the minimum size is calculated according to the formula: "the size of the playing field + the length of the cue". Here the size of the playing field is taken into account, and not the size of the billiards. In this case, it will be inconvenient to hit from the side along a perpendicular trajectory, but you can afford to buy a table bigger size.

Minimum size the premises of the billiard room are given excluding furniture. Sometimes some elements provided by the design of a house or a billiard room (columns, corners, railings, etc.) create inconvenience when playing. In this case, you can resort to the help of shortened cues, which are used in the "dead" zones, where you can not play with a regular size cue.

The formula for calculating the size of Russian billiards:

cue length + billiard table length + cue length.

Cue lengths for calculation:

Russian billiards - 160 cm,
American pool - 150 cm,
Snooker - 147 cm.

How to choose the right billiard table, what you should pay attention to when choosing a billiard table.

1. Which billiard table should I buy?

At the beginning, you need to understand what game you are interested in playing: Russian billiards (or); American pool; English snooker. Each game has its own features and rules. For example, the game of pool seems easier because it has large , but the rules of this game make it as interesting as it is difficult. The rules of the game of pool require only one white ball to be played, the shot must be calculated in such a way as to bring the ball into Right place table, since you need to score either a certain group of balls or in the order of their numbers. Snooker is the hardest to play, the pockets are quite wide and the balls are small and harder to hit. In Russia, the most common game is Russian billiards. There is no need to be afraid of Russian billiards, in fact, Russian balls fall into the pockets quite simply, the main thing is to master the rack, learn how to hold the cue correctly, and you will enjoy playing Russian billiards.

IMPORTANT TIP: Before you buy a pool table for your home, try playing pool on different pool tables in all three games. Go to billiard club, play, learn the rules, and then you will be able to understand which game you like best, and what is closer in spirit, then you will definitely make the right choice.

2. How to choose the right billiard table size?

When choosing, you need to build on the size of the room. In addition to the size of the billiards itself, you need to take into account the distance from the sides of the table to the walls of the room. To prevent the cue from hitting the wall when hit from the side, the length of the cue is taken into account. For different types games use cues of various lengths. For playing Russian billiards, the length of the cue is 160-165 cm, for playing pool and snooker 140-145 cm. If the table for Russian billiards is 8 feet or less, small balls are used, and therefore shorter cues, as for pool . From the side of the table for the Russian pyramid, you should retreat 165 cm, plus 15-20 cm, so that it does not rest against the wall itself and does not spoil the paintings hanging on it.

It is also worth considering the furniture and the space around the furniture (armchairs, sofa, table, bar counter).

IMPORTANT ADVICE: do not try to cram the largest billiards into the billiard room, it is better to consult with professionals and choose the most beneficial billiards for a comfortable game.

playing field		Minimum room size
in feet	in meters	pyramid	pool	snooker
5 feet	1.65 x 0.85 m	4.5 x 3.7 m	4.5 x 3.7 m
6 feet	1.80 x 0.90 m	4.7 x 3.8 m	4.7 x 3.8 m
7 feet	1.99 x 0.99 m	4.9 x 3.9 m	4.9 x 3.9 m
8 feet	2.24 x 1.12 m	5.1 x 4.0 m	5.1 x 4.0 m
9 feet	2.54 x 1.27 m	5.8 x 4.5 m	5.4 x 4.1 m
10 foot	2.95 x 1.47 m	6.2 x 4.7 m		5.8 x 4.3 m
12 feet	3.50 x 1.75 m	6.8 x 5.0 m		6.4 x 4.6 m

Attention: billiard table sizes different manufacturers may differ.

3. How much does billiards weigh and what does it affect.

In addition to the size of the billiard table, you need to consider its weight. The weight of a billiard table depends on the size of the table, on the design of the table, on the material of the table, on the material of the slab, on the thickness of the slab, on the design solution ...

For example, a professional billiard table 12F in size can weigh from 1200 kg to 1600 kg, depending on the manufacturer and the materials used in its production.

With thinner stone, can weigh 200-300kg less than professional table on a thick stone (see specification).

And finally, a 12F billiard table with a chipboard playing field will weigh 900 kg less than a professional table.

Billiard tables with a playing field made of laminated chipboard win a lot in price and do not require increased attention to the floors of the billiard room, but they lose in terms of the quality of the game itself. Balls on a chipboard surface will roll more slowly, and the vibration from rolling balls will make a loud hum. Over time, the surface can be deformed from exposure to aggressive environment, and the evenness of the playing field may not be ideal.

On a thick stone provide the maximum level of comfort. This is achieved due to the perfectly flat surface and the stability of the table structure. A table on a thick stone cannot be moved or give it any noticeable vibration. roll smoothly, quickly, silently.

Billiard tables on a thin stone (see specification) are not inferior in comfort, but win in weight and price.

IMPORTANT TIP: Pay attention to the thickness of the stone base for your pool table. The thicker the stone, the more stable the billiards. A massive plate is the key to a high-quality and comfortable game without flaws.

4. What are billiard tables made of?

In our age modern technologies, you can find billiard tables made from various artificial materials, up to the playing surface. Most often, this is due to the desire of manufacturers to reduce the cost of production and equipment for production. Such manufacturers practically do not leave anything natural and natural for the sake of cost reduction, or simply because of the inability to provide their production with high-quality raw materials and the necessary equipment.

There are not many manufacturers who use natural and traditional materials, which are supplied to us by nature itself (natural wood and a natural stone), fully meeting all the requirements for production billiard equipment, as this is associated with certain difficulties and costs.

Billiard tables from natural wood, can easily withstand repeated assembly and disassembly (in case of relocation, rearrangement or resale), such tables always remain beautiful and pleasant.

Billiard tables made of artificial material (MDF, veneer, etc.) quickly lose their appearance, chips, dents, and various deformations appear on them more often and faster. It is not recommended to disassemble and assemble such tables often, as the attachment points quickly fail.

Billiard tables on a metal frame have a lot of weight and good stability, but they lose in aesthetics. Such tables are completely hung with fake low quality wood products, or chipboard and MDF, etc., which cover the metal frame and create a deceptive look. wooden structure. In time everything decorative items, covering the metal frame, become loose, begin to dangle, lose their proportionality in relation to each other. For example, accidentally touching the leg, or the tsarga, you can see how she moved or moved, this does not at all cause a pleasant impression. But at the same time, the design of the table itself will be strong and reliable, you definitely won’t move it from its place, even if you really want to.

Another thing billiard tables made of oak and ash! This is beauty, aesthetics, warmth, comfort, strength, reliability, prestige. It is a pleasure to play on such a table.

The latest developments in the production of an artificial playing field allow the production of fake diamond for billiards. Time has not yet tested the reliability of such stones, but this stage manufacturers have not yet achieved the ideal surface of artificial stone and it is difficult to say how such a playing field will behave in a few years.

OUR TIP: Billiard tables made of artificial, surrogate materials cannot match the durability of natural wood tables. The so-called artificial stone is a novelty in billiard production and has been little studied. All its characteristics will be fully manifested only years later.

5. What are the prices for billiard tables?

There are not many factors that affect the price of a billiard table, but all these factors also affect the game itself. For example, at official billiards competitions you will not find tables with cheap Chinese cloth, on thin stone and vertical fastening of the boards, just as you will not find boards with bad rubber that does not meet special standards.

What you should pay attention to when buying a billiard table:

Plate material. The best and not yet surpassed in all respects is natural slate, or ardesite.
covering the playing field. The leader in the production of cloth is Belgium (). There are a lot of cloth manufacturers, and there are worthy manufacturers who are not inferior in quality to the Belgians, but their price is more expensive, and the quality is not better. Chinese analogs do not have the necessary quality for a professional and comfortable game, moreover, they fail very quickly, unable to withstand the load.
Side tires. The properties of rubber are very important when playing billiards. For example, for playing with small and light balls, rubber is used, which is not recommended when playing the Russian pyramid, since the weight and size of the balls are very different (see specification).
Pockets. Roll-out pockets are used for a more comfortable game; they are more expensive than regular nets, but can also be made of different material, which also affects the price of the table.
Support. The choice of support does not affect the game, here the question is about beauty and aesthetics, and, well, taste. The price also depends on the material.
Fastening boards to the playing field. Can be vertical or horizontal. It is not possible to make a horizontal fastening on a thin stone, therefore a thin stone is fastened only vertically. Thick stone can be fastened both vertically and horizontally, but vertical fastening is cheaper for the manufacturer, since fasteners do not need to be mounted in the slab, so some manufacturers fasten thick stone vertically to the slabs. It would seem that there is no difference, but in fact the difference is very large, and this difference affects both the game itself and the durability and practicality of the mount.
To justify the use of a vertical mount, manufacturers draw ingenious schemes for the application of force at the moment the ball hits the side and give indistinct proof of the "reliability" of their design.

Vertical mount in the billiard industry began to be used when the Americans invented their own game of pool, which requires tables small size and on thin stone. It is impossible to attach a board horizontally to a plate with a thickness of 25 mm or less. With light pool balls this is not a problem, but balls for Russian billiards already weigh 280 g or more. For such a load, the vertical fastening of the sides was not designed initially. Even in the production of snooker tables with the smallest billiard balls, the weight of which does not exceed 140 g, they did not come to a vertical fastening.

A billiard table on a thick stone should be with a horizontal fastening of the sides.
Table color. Some manufacturers produce tables for example with two colors, and shades or other colors for a fee, and painting time.
Accessories. Most manufacturers use Chinese fittings, while the alloy and quality of the metal remains in question, and of course the price is appropriate.

All of the above factors affect the price of a billiard table. Skillfully using these or those cunning tricks, some manufacturers reduce the cost of billiards, supposedly taking care of the buyer. “Here we will replace the tree with something simpler, there we will take a thinner stone, or even not a stone at all” - everything will do for an ignorant buyer. In fact, these "good" intentions often turn into complete disappointment.

IMPORTANT ADVICE: Pay attention to what exactly you buy. There are few parameters at the billiard table. Only the material of manufacture, the thickness of the stone, the fastening of the board and accessories (cloth, pockets, etc.) are added to the type of game and size. Be sure to carefully study the specification, compare characteristics and choose what is best for you.

By the way, a thin stone is not bad, playing on tables with a thin stone is no worse than on a table with a thick stone, a non-professional will not notice the difference. It's just that the sides with vertical fastenings are afraid of increased load and they are not recommended to be installed in billiard establishments, well, the sides of such tables themselves have a different design and lose a little in beauty (this is a purely personal opinion).

Summarize:

All billiard games are good in their own way, a matter of taste.

Billiards loves free spaces, this must be taken into account.

The weight of a billiard table is of decisive importance.

billiards from natural materials more reliable in every sense.

The price of a billiard table depends not only on its size.

Billiard tables can be compared with a car - the purpose is the same, the properties are different.

In order not to confuse a person who has never held a cue in his hands, let's say the following:Please let me know the dimensions of the proposed billiard room. Thanks to our extensive experience and many years of work, we will help you choose the right billiard size.

Please note that there is a sale. They are used when the room is not spacious enough or there is an obstacle to swing.

There are sizes of billiards for the Russian pyramid, which have sharp differences in the diameter of the ball - this is the size of eight feet and nine feet.

On tables from 6 feet to 8 feet they play mm, on billiards from 9 feet they play a ball. But there are exceptions, which our managers will tell you about. The length and weight of the cue also differ dramatically. You can find cues for playing on an 8-foot table at.

There are many misconceptions regarding the choice of billiards game depending on the size. Take, for example, the Russian Pyramid game. What kind of versions (why the customer wants to install Russian billiards, but cannot) do not have to be heard! Some people are sure that playing on a small table (6 feet, 7 feet, 8 feet) is simply not interesting.

Others think that big table very difficult to play, and a smaller table is specially ordered. In fact, playing on a larger table is, of course, more interesting. If you love the Russian pyramid game, then no other game will replace it for you. But even smaller billiards will bring a lot of joy and positive.

We remind you that on sale there is a for hitting from the side. They are often bought. when there is not enough space.

Table parameters, such as the basis of the chipboard playing field (