Many are the times we find people stranded when looking for a regulation pool table for their homes. The biggest challenge has always been identifying the right size to fit in the home game room. The fact that there are numerous pool tables all with different sizes does not make it easier.
It becomes even more complex when you start hearing terms like regulation pool tables, tournament pool tables and standard size pool tables. We have a detailed description for all the terminologies to give you an easy time as you get a pool table that will fit perfectly into the playing space in your home.
What is Regulation Pool Table?
Simply put; A regulation pool table is one where the length is precisely twice as long as its width. For instance an 8 foot pool table will be 96 inches long by 48 inches wide or 8 feet long by 4 feet wide.
Once any pool table satisfies the requirement of the length doubling the width it is considered to be a regulation pool table. It can be a custom made pool table or an 8 foot, 7 foot or 9 foot pool table.
Another key feature is that is that the playing area must meet the criteria of the length being double the width.
What is a Standard Size Pool Table?
These are the most common pool tables that you will find in your local club, main fame rooms and in residential areas. Standard size pool tables include all the regulation pool tables and some other custom made pool tables that do not follow the regulation pool table dimensions.
Different Types of Regulation Pool Tables
Bar Pool Tables or Bar Box
Bar box pool tables are the pool tables that you find in your local bars or social pool halls. They come in 78in by 39 inch or 7 feet long by 3.5 feet wide. Many people also buy the bar box table for their home game rooms.
Standard Home Pool Tables
This is the recommended pool table for homes. It measures 8 foot long and 4 foot wide. The playing area is 88 inches long and 44 inch wide.
8 Foot Plus Pro Pool Tables
These are pool tables that are designed for pros who want to have a table in their homes but they do not have sufficient room. They measure 92inches long by 46 inches wide. Theses pool tables give the players a playing surface that is almost equal to the tournament pool size.
Tournament Pool Tables
The tournament pool tables are regulation tables that are used in tournaments and for professional play. They come in 9foot long and 4.5 foot wide with a playing surface area of 100 inches by 50 inches.
Oversized Pool Tables
These are pool tables that people buy to make a statement in their homes. The come in an impressive size of 112 inches by 56 inches. It is also known as the 10 foot pool table.
Snooker Tables
Snooker tables come in 12 foot long by 6 foot wide dimensions. They are regulation tables that provide adequate playing area for the game of snooker. The playing area is 140 inches by 70 inches.
What Size Pool Table is Best for My Home?
The best pool size for your home will be determined by the size of your game room or the area where you want to place the pool table. When considering a room for use with a pool table, it is important to remember that we only consider the free space. All the space occupied by other furniture is subtracted from the room size.
Sizing up a billiard room for a new billiard table is pretty straight forward. First, figure out the best way to position the billiard table in the room in question. Next, take into account cue length, which is usually between 57-59 inches. Then take your room measurements.
These factors alone will allow you to not only determine what billiard table size to go with, but also whether the room in question is big enough to support a pool table in the first place. To figure out the minimum billiard room size you will need, follow these easy steps:
- Cue sticks average between 57-59 inches in length. Keep this pool cue stick measurement in mind, or adjust it accordingly for a shorter or longer cue stick.
- If you have an eight foot long regulation size billiard table, it will be exactly twice as long as it is wide. Again, take note of these dimensions, or adjust them if you have a smaller or larger table. Also remember that most regulation size tables are eight or nine feet long, but most recreational, bar and pub, and home billiard tables are smaller, at anywhere from five to eight feet in length.
In order to calculate the adequate billiard room size needed for comfortable play, add two cue lengths to each side of the table dimensions in question, therefore allowing for a safe shot margin.
For example, if your cue length is 58 inches, and the dimensions of the billiard table in question are 48 inches X 96 inches (a standard 4 foot X 8 foot table), then your minimum room dimensions for the billiard table itself are 58 + 58 + 48 by 58 + 58 + 96, equaling 164 inches X 212 inches, or a minimum billiard room size of 13.67 feet X 17.67 feet.
A smaller room size than this would require obvious adjustments, such as shorter pool cue sticks or the consideration of a smaller table.
Conclusion
Knowing the size of your game room is the first step to identifying a pool table that will fit perfectly. With the formula above here, you can never go wrong with your choice. Keep it right here for more insights and expert advice.
