Let's cross the cue on a good table

Billiard tables are acquired for different reasons. For example, well-to-do people often consider a billiard table exclusively as part of the decor of their luxurious billiard room or dining room, so they choose exclusive table models. It is important to them that the entire surrounding environment, including cabinets and the billiard room's entrance doors, matches the table's style.

Some sports-minded people buy billiard tables for active recreation, so they prefer more modest models. It should be remembered that tables for different games differ in their parameters and decorative details. Strict-style tables with narrow 73 and 82 mm pockets are ideal for Russian billiards. 10-foot tables are often purchased for Russian billiards, although professional play requires 12-foot tables. American pool uses small 57 mm-diameter balls and fairly wide 115 mm pockets, and pool tables are well suited at 8–9 feet in size.

If the tables are intended for a billiard club, the first thing to check is their strength and long service life. In that case a large purchase is usually made, which includes various accessories, including special lighting fixtures.

These days three popular design directions dominate in the field of billiard tables: classic, Art Deco and hi-tech. The classics amaze with a rich variety of ornamentation: carved details, inlay and panels in marquetry (mosaic) technique. The striking Art Deco with leather and fur details will add glamour to any billiard room. Hi-tech, which strives for minimalism and ethnic styles, will emphasize the dynamism of the game and will be appropriate in any modern billiard room.

Of course, when choosing you should pay special attention to details. At the same time you must remember that billiards is a game of precision, so it is important to buy a quality table with precisely fitted parts.

The most important elements of billiard tables are: the tabletop covered with cloth, the frame, the rails, the supports and the pockets.

The tabletop is the foundation of the whole structure, which must be perfectly smooth, durable and resistant to strong impacts from the balls. Over the centuries of the game's existence plates of various materials have been used, including wood, stone and metal. Today the best material is recognized as natural Ardesia slate — it is quarried in Italy. This slate withstands drops of 290-gram balls from a height of 1.5 m without damage. Tables with such tabletops are among the most valued by connoisseurs.

Inexpensive and relatively light tables are produced with tabletops made of laminated particleboard. But they have significant disadvantages: loud noise from rolling balls, a short service life, warping of the surface and insufficient resistance to sudden temperature and humidity fluctuations in the room.

The slate plate is not monolithic and consists of several parts (from three to five). When choosing, make sure the seams are unnoticeable to the touch, otherwise you won't get a good game.

For the best solutions thick tabletops of 30–45 mm are used. On such tables the balls bounce less. For amateurs, cheaper tables are made with thinner plates — 19–30 mm.

Frames, rails and supports of professional billiard tables are made from the best wood. Walnut, mahogany, ash and oak are excellent for this. More economical tables have frames made of pine, linden or alder, but their lifespan is relatively short.

The rails of any table are made from valuable wood; otherwise the table will suffer from frequent hits and fall apart. The inner side of the rail is lined with rubber, which must provide an effective rebound for the balls.

Different kinds of games require different cloth for the playing surface. For example, Russian pyramid does not require such thick and dense cloth as American pool. The role of the cloth is to make the table completely smooth. Usually the cloth consists of natural wool and polyester. The quality and cost of the cloth directly depend on the percentage of wool. Proper tensioning of the cloth is decisive — it should be impossible to pinch it.

The number of supports depends on the table size. Small 7–10 foot models usually have six legs, while large 11–12 foot tables have eight legs. Nowadays reliable tables on four legs are also produced.

The pockets of a billiard table differ not only because of the type of game, but also in design. They can be a closed cup or a net. For special models the net is made of leather and executed using macramé technique.

Whatever the purpose a table is purchased for, one should not forget that players spend a long time "circling" the table. It is indeed important not only to install a quality table but also to select the appropriate design and create a harmonious atmosphere. Properly placed lighting, well-designed windows and good-quality doors will help with this. The billiard room will look more solid if there are cabinets that share the same finish as the tables.