Pool Tables

Pocket billiards, more commonly known as pool, is one of the most popular bar/pub games of all time.  Popularized in the 19th Century, Pool got it’s name for the gambling that went on in “poolrooms” of the time, mostly off-track horses.  The gamblers pool.  And so, faster than you can say “antidisestablishmentarianism,” pocket billiards, born of a noble and refined linage, became the most popular, low-brow, drinking game in the United States. 

While in olden days, "pool" was played on a pocketless table, the name remained when pocket billiards soared into popularity.  Today, pool players can play many games of pool of a standard pool table including eight- (the most widely played pocket table game) and nine-ball, straight pool, and one pocket. 

Pool tables and Billiards Combinations come in a plethora of styles and sizes.  Don’t be confused when people say “regulation table.” A regulation table may come in 3.5x7 ft, 4x8 ft, 4.5 x9 ft, and 6x12 ft Typically, but not as a rule, tournament play is held on a 4.5x9 ft table.  Vintage pool tables can be found in the 5x10 ft size, but they really are only found in antique stores.  The 3.5x7 ft. size table is perfect for bars because of it’s compact size.  That way the pub can have pool tables and billiards combinations as well as dancing!

Pool and Billiards tables need to have cushions (rails, rail cushions or bumpers) that run the perimeter of the table, and different rules pay them different respects on the pool table paying field.  Usually the pool table rails are made of vulcanized rubber. 

The pool table cloth, usually called the” felt,” covers the table’s top.  Want to know why they’re usually green?  Billiards used to be played on the green grass lawn, kind of like crochet, and not on the indoor billiards tables of today.  The green felt and table rails pay tribute to that. Cool, huh? Like the unchanging cocoa pebbles, table felts should always be green.

 So now that you know about pool and pool tables themselves, jaunt on over to eBay and take a gander at the new and used pool tables for sale over there!  You’re sure to find the best billiards table to buy, and you won’t have to worry about any catchy platitudes warning you against the troubles of River City! Want to learn how to play? Try the Easy Pool Tutor.