So you have decided to buy a pool table, but you don’t know anything about them. Well relax, I’ll give you all the information you’ll need to know before you buy one.

First of all, you need to know your budget. How much are you willing to spend? Pool tables can be purchased for as little as a couple hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, with some tables reaching $20,000 or more!

Second, after deciding on your budget, you need to decide where you will place your table. Do you have the space to set up a pool table? Tables range in size from 4’x6′ to 5’x10′. The general rule is; you need at least 5′ around the table to be able to play without hitting the wall or other objects.

Third, now that you have established the space and have a budget in mind; Where will you buy your table? Will you be buying one on a site like Craigslist or eBay, or are you near a store that sells pool tables? We often sell tables on Craigslist and have often found great quality pool tables on Craigslist, however ‘warning’ or buyer beware, some deals are too good to be true.

Fourth, how will you get your new table home? Many sellers will say in their ad “brings a lot of help, this table is heavy”. I say this; NEVER move a table in one piece. Pool tables must be completely disassembled before moving in. If you move a table in one piece, you not only risk damaging the table, you risk injuring yourself. It’s best to call a professional pool table mover to move the table and reposition it.

So now that you have everything in place, let’s talk about what to look for when buying a pool table. When customers call me and ask me what is the one thing they should look for before buying a pool table, I emphasize one word, SLATE! A good quality table will have a slate playing surface. A low-quality table will have a particle board or MDF playing surface, these tables we call “throwaway” tables in the industry. They don’t hold up very well and are easily damaged. They do not support intensive use for gaming.

When shopping for a table, look for brands like Brunswick, Olhausen, or Gandy; these tables will hold their value.

Look at the table frame. Is it free of major cracks and defects? Check for termites (if applicable to the region you live in). In Florida, we often see vendors selling pool tables that are infested with termites. Look at the legs, are they also free of cracks and defects?

Look at the felt/fabric. Is it in good condition or does it look like it needs to be replaced? If you need to replace it, consider that it will cost around $295 and up to replace it.

Look at those pockets. Are they in good condition or are they frayed and damaged? Plastic hanging pockets are fairly inexpensive to replace, however the cost of replacing leather pockets can be quite high.

And lastly look and test the bumpers. Bumpers are made from chewing gum that will harden over time. One test you can do to determine if the bumpers are still okay is to start at one end of the table and roll the ball with some force against the other end of the table. A good bumper will give you at least 3 bounces back and forth. Once you’ve done the end-to-end test, repeat from side to side.

If you’re still not sure if you’re getting a good deal; contact someone who is knowledgeable about pool tables and they can help you through the buying process.

A pool table is a great investment that can give you and your family years of fun.