DIY Network

Purchasing a Pool Table From "Family Sports" episode SPT-111

Before purchasing a pool table, there are some important decisions that need to be made. DIY Family Sports host Belma Johnson talked with Scott Mellon, vice president of sales for Games and Things in Knoxville, Tenn., about the different levels of pool tables. (Continued below)

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	The quality of rubber used on pool tables is important. Bad rubber will crack (seen here) and cause dead rails. Ask the dealer whether the rubber was made with fillers, which cause the cracks and drying-out process. Gum rubber is the best!

• First level -- These are the low-end tables, most likely the first pool table for children. The appearance or playability isn't as important as price in this case. Low-end tables start around $1,000 when purchased new.

• Second level -- These are good playing tables that don't have to be ornate pieces of furniture to boot. The price range is anywhere from $1,600 to $2,200, approximately.

• Third level -- These are the great playing tables that are also ornate and top-of-the-line pieces of furniture. The price range can go anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000, approximately.

The first thing to consider when purchasing a pool table is the color of the cloth (figure A) on the surface of the table. There are as many as 32 different colors available, which allow coordination with a room's decor. Pool-table surfaces work much like carpeting and are available in different weights. The preferred weight is from 20 to 22 ounces. Ask for a good wool-and-nylon blend.

If there's one vital part of a pool table, it's the playing surface. The better tables are made out of slate (figure B) that's mined in Italy or Brazil. The lower-end tables will have 3/4-inch-thick slate, and the better tables will have from 7/8-inch- to one-inch-thick slate. Be sure the slate extends over the sides and all the way to the end of the edge of the surface, not just the playing surface. This adds extra support to the rails of the table. Note: For certain shots, it's necessary to lean on or get up on the edge of the table.

The better tables will also have a wood backing (figure C) for the surface cloth to be attached. Some lower-end tables don't have the wood backing, and the cloth is attached with a spray adhesive, which can cause puckering or peeling -- especially if moisture and humidity are prevalent.

Pool-table accessories

• Billiard balls -- A good set of billiard balls can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 and up. The best are made in Belgium.

• Triangle -- This wooden piece is necessary for racking the billiard balls.

• Cue stick -- Cue sticks have a wide range of prices.

• Chalk

• Brush

Did you know?

• The highest-priced pool cues ever offered for sale were $55,000 at an art show in Los Angles.

• An estimated four million people play pool every week.

• An estimated 42.2 million Americans over the age of 6 have played billiards once or more.

• Since 1987 the number of billiards players has grown 20.2 percent, outpacing the growth of the U.S. population by 10 percent.

• Billiards placed first out of 58 activities in terms of frequent participation (once or more a year) behind bowling, basketball, camping and fresh-water fishing.

Guest:

Scott Mellon
Vice president, sales
Games and Things Inc.
Knoxville, TN

RESOURCES :
Billiard Congress of America (BCA)

4345 Beverly St.
Suite D
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Phone: 719-264-8300
Fax: 719-264-0900
Web site: www.bca-pool.com

American Pool Players Association, Inc.

1000 Lake Saint Louis Blvd.
Suite 325
Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367
Phone: 636-625-8611
Fax: 636-625-2975
Web site: www.poolplayers.com

Billiard World Magazine

E-mail: pat@billiardworld.com
Web site: www.billiardworld.com

Billiard's Digest Interactive

Luby Publishing Inc.
Attn: Billiard's Digest Magazine
122 S. Michigan Ave.
Suite 1506
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312-341-1110
Fax: 312-341-1469
Web site: www.billiardsdigest.com

Billiard Information Online

Web site: www.billiardinfoline.com