Snooker Table Buying Guide

Do you know that 95% of snooker lovers buy the wrong table!
Many people love snooker and want to buy a great table but are often confused about what to look for or what size to buy. To help you out Big Game Hunters have produced a guide explaining what to look for when buying a snooker table.


When choosing your pool table there are three things to look at.

1. Size
2. Price Range
3. What Do I Need?


Size

Size Of The Room

A common mistake when buying a snooker table is not allowing for enough room space. Often people find that they can fit the table into a room but do not have room to play all the shots as a wall is in the way. To ensure that you have enough space Big Game Hunters recommends that you leave at least 3 feet of space around the table. It is important to note that Big Game Hunters stocks snooker tables designed for home use and therefore on certain tables will have a smaller cue; if you buy a professional table a recommended space gap of 6 feet is needed.

Minimum Space Requirement Chart

Use the chart below to determine the room size needed for each table.

Size Of The Table

4ft Tables - These are designed for mainly for children and for those who are short of space. This size table is ideal for parents who want to introduce their children to snooker.

5ft Tables - A five foot table can be enjoyed by both children and adults. Ideally it is aimed at older children who enjoy playing snooker. Although a smaller table this size is very durable and steady and can comfortable fit into most children's bedrooms.

6ft Tables - This size is the most popular for people who wish to have a snooker table at home for family use. The size is suitable for both children and adults and yet still provides ample playing space allowing for difficult shots.

8ft Tables - This size is great for those who play a lot of snooker yet do not have the space available for a full size table.

9ft Tables - A Large snooker table which is suited for a keen snooker player as it provides a large playing area which is ideal for difficult shots.

12ft Tables - This is a full size championship table. This size is best suited to those which are playing to a professional standard.

Size Of Cue

On the market there are various cues available ranging from £30 to £2000. A professional sized cue is 57inches however on smaller tables this size cue is to big. Many snooker players often use two cues a larger 57inch cue for long shots and a smaller cue approximately 36 inches for closer shots or ones which lie on the table edge.

Size Of Table
Size Of Cue Needed
4ft
36 inch pool cues
5ft
48 inch pool cues
6ft
48 inch pool cues
8ft
57 inch pool cue
12ft
57 inch pool cue

 


Price Range

Budget Tables

Priced £15 - £100

Budget table are extremely basic and are aimed at children with the intention to be used as toys. As a whole this range is not the highest quality but for the price they can offer children a great playing experience and often are part of a package which includes all necessary playing equipment.

Economy Tables

£80 - £1000

Economy tables are those which are most commonly used as home snooker tables. These tables are often stylish and well made; generally economy tables use mid range materials which provide a good playing surface suitable for what is needed. Ideally suited to those who want a good quality snooker table at home without paying a high price.

Mid Range / Professional Tables

£1000+

A mid range / professional table is suited to those which play snooker on a professional level or those which want a snooker table which doubles as a beautiful piece of furniture. Although expensive, these tables are made out fine woods and provide the ultimate playing experience. A great bonus of this range of tables is that they often come with a guarantee.



What You Need To Know

Difference between home snooker tables and professional snooker tables

Home snooker tables are those designed to be used at home. The home snooker range is cheaper than professional tables as they use more manmade materials instead of fine woods such as oak. Man made materials are used to make the table more affordable but also players at home do not require the accuracy as professional players need. Home snooker tables also are generally lighter meaning they're easier to move around the home and often have the added bonus of being collapsible meaning they are easier to store.
Professional tables are ones which are made of solid wood, have high quality cloths and use thick slate. High quality materials are used to as they allow the ball to move more accurately, this intense level of accuracy can only be found when materials such as solid wood are used.

Table Talk - Explaining the parts

Legs

This is what the snooker table rests upon. If you are short of space or do not play regularly a great option is to use a collapsible table as it can easily be stored away until needed and although collapsible it is just as stable.

Frame

The frame is the main body to which the legs and slate attach to. Professional tables generally use solid wood whereas home snooker tables generally use man made materials. Although home table use various particles boards they are just as stable and can come in a variety of colours and styles.


Slate

Slate is the section which you play off and lies beneath the cloth. As a whole only the professional tables use slate as it gives excellent accuracy whereas home tables use materials such as perma slate or honey comb which are lower cost and easier to manufacture. In professional tables the ideal slate thickness is 1 inch but can begin from 3/4 inch.

Rails

These are the parts which go around the pool table and stop the ball from falling off. Ideally they should be made of wood as it provides a more accurate bounce when a ball hits it. However, if the table will be used at home or with children solid wood rails are not necessary. MDF versions will do a great job and cost less.

Pockets

Pockets are found at the corners and along the edge of the snooker table and are used to catch the ball. Pockets are made out of three materials plastic, leather and rubber. Plastic is used in budget / economy tables, Leather is used in professional table and rubber is used in commercial tables.

What Table Should I Buy?

Use
Cost
What Specification Do I Need?
Family / Children £80 5ft table
Laminated MDF
Fold away legs are useful for storage
Slate is not needed - MDF is suitable
Solid wood rails are not needed
Plastic pockets
Adults / Home £200 6ft table
Leg levellers are useful
3/4 inch slate if table will be used a lot, if not MDF or equivalent will be suitable.
Plastic pockets

Professional

£1000 + 8ft - 12ft table
A minimum of one inch slate
Solid wood rails
Leather pockets

 


We hope that this guide has helped you out in making the right choice in your pool table so now you know the facts go check out our online store and we will have everything you need to start or continue playing pool.

 

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