The pool is likely one of the most common indoor sports in the world. Professional and amateur players both play this game. You can find at least one pool table in bars and restaurants. It is also professionally played. Earl Strickland, Efren Reyes, and Lee Vann Corteza, to name a few well-known players. Some other names to call this game include:
- nine-ball
- blackball
- eight-ball
- one-pocket
- bank pool
- straight pool
- and seven-ball
Summary
Normal and standard pool table sizes have playfield dimensions of 44″ x 88″. The standard regulation pool table measures dimensions of 100″ x 50″, making it the favorite choice of professionals. The most common bar size pool table is a 7-foot table with a playing field of 39″ x 78″.
In this article, we’ll also go over the following:
- Different products
- Different materials
- Different types
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Some pool-industry bodies call it using the generic term pocket billiards. However, this refers to a broader classification of games. It includes a Russian pyramid, snooker, and Kaisa. The main equipment pieces you will need to play pool are the cue sticks and balls. Of course, you’ll need a pool table to play on. In this article, we will be focusing on the table.
It comes in several sizes, such as bar and standard. You can also find a tournament or full-size model. It has a playfield of 39 inches x 78 inches and 44 inches x 88 inches. You can also find 50 inches x 100 inches models.
We will dig deeper into pool tables in the following sections. It is surprising because it comes in different types and sizes.
Pool Table Dimensions
The pool comes in several sizes. You can typically find the tournament or full-size in games played by professional players. All other sizes greatly rely on the room size you are placing it.
Here is a list of the most common pool table sizes in the market.
- 12 feet (Snooker): 140″ (356.9 cm) x 70″ (177.8 cm)
- 10 feet (Oversized): 112″ (284.5 cm) x 56″ (142.2 cm)
- 9 feet (Standard Regulation Size): 100″ (254 cm) x 50″ (127 cm)
- 8 feet+ (Pro 8): 92″ (233.7 cm) x 46″ (116.8 cm)
- 8 feet (Typical Home Option): 88″ (223.5 cm) x 44″ (111.8 cm)
- 7 feet (Large Bar Box): 78-82″ (198.1-208.3 cm) x 39-41″ (99.1-104.1 cm)
- 7 feet+ (Bar Box): 74-78″ (188-198.1 cm) x 37-39″ (94-99.1 cm)
- 6 feet (Small Bar Box): 70-74″ (177.8-188 cm) x 35-37″ (88.9-94 cm)
The actual sizes are not the same because this depends on the manufacturer. There may be slight differences, so it is best to check before purchasing.
| Model | Dimension |
| Standard pool table | 4′ x 8′ |
| Folding Pool Table | 55″ L X 29″ W |
| Regulation | 7′ – 9′ L x 3.5′ – 4.5′ |
| Bar | 78-82″ x 39-41″ |
Standard Pool Table
The standard pool table size is 8 feet and has a playfield of around 44 inches x 88 inches. In the United States, this is the most common size sold for private residences and homes.
If you have the room for a larger one, we suggest you go for it. You can also choose a smaller size if you think the standard is too big for your area.
The only major thing that sets the standard pool table apart is the size. Other than that, it is more or less the same.
Hathaway Augusta 8-ft
If you want a standard-size option, here’s a great one from Hathaway.
Pros
- It’s a great table.
- It was delivered flawlessly.
- Assembly was easy.
- Great value
Cons
- It is very heavy and difficult to move.
- Some buyers have received a damaged product.
Folding Pool Table
It may come as a surprise to you, but there are pool tables you can fold. It solves the problem of people who want to have one at home but do not have permanent space. The dimensions are similar to the regular ones. The height ranges from 27 inches to 32 inches. In comparison, a traditional one is between 29.25 inches and 31 inches.
Are they any good?
They may not be as stout as the traditional ones, but the best foldable pool tables are solid and sturdy. Its quality would ultimately depend on materials and model. Make sure you go for a good brand. Low-quality ones are easy to wobble or shake, which could entirely affect your gameplay.
What are they made of?
Most have a playing surface made from medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Manufacturers typically use solid hardwood or manufactured wood for the frame. Alloy steel is another common material that’s used. Metal frames are more durable and heavier but can affect mobility. Some models have crossbeams for added reinforcements. The legs’ material is the same as the frame.
How much do they weigh?
These tables weigh anywhere from 40 lbs to 150 lbs. A lot of factors affect weight, such as materials and size.
Hathaway
If you want one that can fold, here’s our recommendation:
| Name | Portable 6-Ft Pool Table |
| Item Weight | 115.5 Pounds |
| Manufacturer | Hathaway |
| Material | Engineered Wood |
| Product Dimensions | 76″L x 43.25″W x 32″H |
| Warranty | 180 days |
Pros
- We were pleasantly surprised when we tried it out.
- The MDF wood was of good quality
- The price is very reasonable.
Cons
- It’s on the heavier side for foldable models.
- Foldable models are less sturdy.
Regulation
There is no one size regulation for a pool table. However, the table to width length ratio must be 2:1. If you would like to use a table with an 8 feet length, the width should be 4 feet.
The World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) does not stipulate a particular size. The typical lengths are:
- 7 feet
- 8 feet
- 8.5 feet
- and 9 feet.
Bar Size
Having one at home is likely the ultimate dream of anyone who loves to play pool. The perfect one is the bar size.
Depending on the available space you have at home, there are three bar types. They include the:
- large bar box
- bar box
- and small bar box.
If you have a huge space available, you can go for the largest one. They measure about 78-82 inches x 39-41 inches. It offers a lot of areas for playing and will attract professional players.
The bar box comes in the middle-ground, measuring around 74-78 inches x 37-39 inches. However, it is not very popular because professionals do not use it often.
The smallest is the small bar box, measuring around 70-74 inches x 35-37 inches. They take the least space among the three and are very popular with those having limited space. If you are playing for leisure, this would be a great size because the distances between pockets are shorter.
Professional
In general, we consider eight feet tables as the professional size. We recommend going for the largest size that can fit your room. It generally provides a more pleasant playing experience.
Dining Combo
In modern times, there are pool tables that double as dining tables. If space is an issue or you want something different at home, getting a combo would be a great idea. The catch with most of these is that they are usually higher than the standard dining table.
Pool tables need a height of 29.25 inches to 31 inches when measured from the playing surface. The rail adds about 1.25 inches to 1.75 inches. Lastly, the dining top would fit right on top of the rails. It will give an additional 0.75 to 1-inch height.
Standard dining tables have a height ranging from 29 to 30 inches. Pool dining table combos have a height of 33 to 34 inches, and four to five inches higher.
When purchasing, take accurate measurements and see if it fits your needs. Look at the design and see if you can work with it. Otherwise, it would be best to have separate pieces of pool and dining tables.
Measuring is easy. Below is a step-by-step guide on how you can measure a pool table. You will only need a measuring tape, a pen, and paper.
We measure from the playing area because different manufacturers equip theirs with varied rail sizes. Some make the table huge, while others make it seem small. On the other hand, the playing area is standard in the industry.
Short History
Before diving deeper, let’s go through a short history of the pool game. Its origin is similar to the croquet, which started as a lawn game around the 15th century in Northern Europe. Throughout the years, it gradually evolved to what we know as pool or billiard in the present day.
From an outdoor game, it moved indoors to a table. It was typically of wood material, with a layer of green to mimic the feel of grass. Borders around the table’s edges help keep the ball within its area. The word billiard was derived from the French word “bille,” a ball, or “billart,” one of the wooden sticks. During this time, nobles and royalty typically play billiards.
In the original game, you play pool by shoving the balls with maces. The cue stick was later developed in the late 1600s to provide variation. The issue here is whenever a ball is near a rail, using a mace may cause inconvenience due to its large head. The players will have to grab the handle and strike the ball. The queue or handle means tail. It’s where we get the word cue. Men were only allowed to use the cue for a while. On the other hand, women can only use the mace because it assumed the mace could more likely rip the cloth.
Moving on to the pool table. It originally had flat walls, keeping balls from falling off. They refer to it as banks because it resembles a riverbank. However, billiard players eventually discovered that the balls bounce off the banks and aim back at them. The term “bank shot” was born from it. Initially, wood was the bed material primarily used until around 1835. That’s when slate gained popularity because of its durability. Slate also does not warp over time, unlike wood. By 1839, a famous rubber manufacturer discovered the rubber vulcanization process. In 1845, billiard cushions were made of rubber.
