Pool Table and Accessories

A Peek into the History of Pool Tables

It was back in 1903 that the first pool table, which was coin operated, was invented. You had to pay a penny to play on those. Back then pool balls were made of ivory, and four balls could be made out of one tusk. Celluloid and other types of plastics replaced ivory balls, when they were invented. The cushions on the side of pool tables are made of a certain kind of vulcanized rubber, while the felt is made of a blend of wool and nylon or just wool, as has been the practice for more than 400 years. The pockets can either be drop-and-return types of carriage systems or baskets, as is common in coin-operated pool tables.

The Right Kind of Pool Table

Pool tables are generally 7, 8, or 9 feet in length. Although the size you select will depend on the space available, however, it needs to be kept in mind that 9 feet is the tournament length.

The pool table comprises a surface that is covered with felt, pockets, side cushions, a bed, and a body. The body of the pool table can be made of wood veneer, wood, plastics, laminates, and even metal sometimes. They can be luxurious and decorated ornately, or the simple, mass-produced type.

The bed of the pool table is generally made of a single slate piece, which is the only kind of surface serious players choose to play on. If you are not a stickler for straight shots and sure lines, you can opt for the cheaper beds.

The color of the felt or cloth can be of various colors. And dealers or manufacturers will often customize the color according to your choice.

Pool Table Accessories

There are several accessories that are required for the pool table to be able to function optimally like the pool table lights, felt, the balls, the chalk, the cues, the racks, and the covers.

Felt: The felt used on pool tables, which are generally green, cover the top of the table as well as the sides. It is usually made of wool, as has been the 400-year-old tradition, although blends of nylon and wool are also available. Pool table felt that is of high quality is thicker and denser compared to cheaper felt. Superior quality of felt enables the ball to travel more accurately and faster on the table. The cheaper felt is more durable and softer, which slows down the ball and makes them less accurate. These are generally used on pool tables that are set up in bars, where high usage justifies its use.

Balls: Pool table balls are available in various types of sets. The 16-ball set is the most common, which comprises seven striped balls, seven solid balls, a white cue ball, and a black 8 ball. This kind of pool ball set is generally used for playing games like Cutthroat, 9 Ball, and 8 Ball.

Table Cues: The cue sticks or pool cues are of two types: one-piece cue and two-piece cue. The one-piece cues are the ones that are generally used by people in bars and are meant for the casual player. Professionals and serious pool players usually use the two-piece cues, which consist of a shaft and a butt that can be unscrewed and placed in a case.

Pool cues that are of high quality are generally the two-piece types made of maple wood. The tip is made of leather and the butt is covered with either leather or linen in order to absorb moisture. The tips of cheaper pool cues are made of either graphite or plastic and the butt is not covered with any material.

Pool Cue Chalk: When shopping for the accessories for your pool table, one of the first things you need to buy is the pool cue chalk. Chalk is put in the tip of the cue for increasing the friction when it strikes the ball. The chalk also enables you have greater control on the amount of spin you can apply on the ball. The cue ball chalk is not actual chalk, but comprises fine abrasives.

Table Lights: These are hung from the ceiling and are placed just on top of the pool table. For visibility to be consistent, pool table lights need to be used whether you play during the day or night. The conventional models of pool table lights have 2-3 round-shaped lamps, and are made of various materials like wrought iron, brass, stained wood, smoked glass, and so on. Contemporary or modern lights come in unconventional colors and have sharp looks and clean lines.

Ball Racks: These can be made of plastic or wood. Compared to plastic, wood is hardier and a little more costly, which also makes the longer lasting. Pool ball racks are generally triangular shaped for both 9 ball and 15 ball games, and also are diamond shaped for 9 ball games.

Covers for Tables: This is one of the most important accessories to buy for your pool table. Covers protect the pool table from spills, debris, dust, and so on, when the table is not used. They are usually made of leather or vinyl with their corners weighted to keep the table cover on securely.