Advice on Pool Tables

wilkamania

wilkamania

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey Everyone,

My office is building a game room, and they want to get a pool table.

Since I'm the only known pool enthusiast in the company, I've been asked to give suggestions, but I don't know anything about a decent table.

My first choice was the good old fashioned Brunswick Gold Crown V, but those are $10,000, and I don't think the office wants to spend that much. They didn't specify a budget range, but I'm assuming it would probably be a few grand. They told me "good, better, best".

Any suggestions would help, if you could PM me.

Basically looking for something:
9ft
ball return if possible
Not crap, but not the best - the office is full of casual players.
Budget range of $1000-$5000

I figured they'd want something new because it would include shipping and installation.

I'm also located in Chicago, IL, and this would be towards the river north area, if anyone knows anyone else locally.

Thanks

~Will
 
Quentin Corner Pockets in Palatine closed last year and I believe they still have some 9 ft gold crowns in storage nearby. I would ask some local folks here on AZ in the NW burbs for that info. I'd try Rick Geschrey here on AZ his username is (scdiveteam)....
 
wilkamania said:
Hey Everyone,

My office is building a game room, and they want to get a pool table.

Since I'm the only known pool enthusiast in the company, I've been asked to give suggestions, but I don't know anything about a decent table.

My first choice was the good old fashioned Brunswick Gold Crown V, but those are $10,000, and I don't think the office wants to spend that much. They didn't specify a budget range, but I'm assuming it would probably be a few grand. They told me "good, better, best".

Any suggestions would help, if you could PM me.

Basically looking for something:
9ft
ball return if possible
Not crap, but not the best - the office is full of casual players.
Budget range of $1000-$5000

I figured they'd want something new because it would include shipping and installation.

I'm also located in Chicago, IL, and this would be towards the river north area, if anyone knows anyone else locally.

Thanks

~Will
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Since you're the only "enthusiast" then you should put yourself in the shoes of the others. You need a table that plays relatively easy and is not an eyesore to non enthusiasts. 4 3/4 pockets are just right. Serious pool players love a gold crown. Casual players not so much. Same with size. Do not get a nine foot table. Craigslist is full of like new condition, good quality furniture style tables for a grand or less. Have it set up level and true with some tough cloth on it. This is what casual players like in my experience. They like to make balls.
 
For new tables the two best by most people's standards are the Gold Crown and the Diamond (Pro Am and Professional).

Tough to get these new in your price range though. BTW, I wouldn't assume a GC5 is $10K just because that's what the MSRP is. Brunswick sells through dealers and you can probably get one for a lot less than that. Diamonds are sold mainly direct so figure the listed price is the price.

Other than the above, you are starting to get into more of the home table market if you want to spend less. Also, considering it's just a game room at an office, a 9' table may not be required. Check into 7' bar boxes. You can get a Diamond for within your budget range.

If you buy used and want a 9 footer, a Gold Crown is probably your best though you may have to look around a bit if condition is important. Equally important is a good mechanic to not only install it but to correct all the hacking that has probably been done to the table since it was new.
 
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JC said:
Since you're the only "enthusiast" then you should put yourself in the shoes of the others. You need a table that plays relatively easy and is not an eyesore to non enthusiasts. 4 3/4 pockets are just right. Serious pool players love a gold crown. Casual players not so much. Same with size. Do not get a nine foot table. Craigslist is full of like new condition, good quality furniture style tables for a grand or less. Have it set up level and true with some tough cloth on it. This is what casual players like in my experience. They like to make balls.
Click to expand...


That makes sense.....was trying to weasel it a little for a free practice table for me :-).

None the less, Craigslist does have a ton of 8 footers that are 1K or less all the time here.

And then you everyone for the PM and advice. I'll bring this back to our office manager and keep everyone posted.
 
Unless the decor won't allow for it, you might also consider a nice coin-op model. In schools and institutions these work well for keeping the balls from disappearing while not in play, they are typically built a little more durable, and the money they collect can be used for maintenance and house cues.
 
I hadnt really thought about it before, but when I read your thread I realized that there are in fact quite a few companies in Chicago with game rooms.... with pool tables. That's an interesting trend.

Maybe we should start a company vs. company tourny lol
 
Mr. Bond said:
I hadnt really thought about it before, but when I read your thread I realized that there are in fact quite a few companies in Chicago with game rooms.... with pool tables. That's an interesting trend.

Maybe we should start a company vs. company tourny lol
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Chicago has a lot of private leagues like that. An attorney friend of mine played in a basketball league against other law firms and there are industry leagues in bowling...

-----

BTW, since this is for an office game room you might want to check into tables that are available with ping pong table conversions. Two games in less space.
 
I would get a Diamond bar table if it were for an office. Saves on space so you can get other things in, and it isn't too tough for non-players. Plus, most non-players are most likely familiar with bar table 8 ball so they would feel more comfortable with that set-up, and you get to play on a very nice table.

For me, I would get a Diamond 9 footer, but that probably wouldn't be good for others. Too tough for the average person who doesn't dedicate him/herself to the game.
 
DoubleD said:
I actually disagree with that sentiment. Non-enthusiasts don't know the difference. Tight pockets are a problem, but table size is not even noticed.

Being that you are the resident expert, you can explain why a quality table is a better choice.
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I actually would think that the opposite is true, people that don't play won't know why they make only make 1/20th of their shots instead of 1/10th because of tighter or tougher pockets, but they will sure as heck notice how much larger a 8 or 9 foot table is compared to the bar tables most are familiar with. You hear that all the time from people that walk into a real pool room for the first time "WOW, why are these tables so huge!", usually followed by a bunch of house cue rolling on the table without once looking at the tip or taking any chalk.
 
Thanks for the feedback

I forgot I had this thread going, but wanted to give updates and address some things:

In terms of space, our office is huge (used to be a massive factory building and we take up 5 floors). Needless to say space is the least of our concerns :-). The plans were to have a pool table, ping pong table, foosball, etc etc, and there will be plenty of space. I left this thread alone because the room would not be done till June, but it looks like they are ahead of schedule.

I was thinking gold crown with decently fast cloth and wide pockets because this may be more fun with the casual players. Honestly it probably wouldn't get used all day due to the nature of the company, but it would be nice. Ping pong is the dominant sport in our office.

The other thing is I believe I can always source a good 9fter with ball return, or older GC, if I ask people in my pool network here. It's also the company's budget, so while they're not hurting, it'll be hard to justify 10K for at able. 5K might be more reasonable, but if we could get cheaper, more power to us.

People would get pissed at the coin op idea though.

And even though I joked about my "free practice" honestly it's very low on the scale. I would only play on the table during late shift days.

Finally, I didn't know it was a trend with Chicago offices. My friend's company has a 9 footer and he said it's always a blast.

None the less, this is why I love AZ, you guys are super helpful. I will update everyone when the time comes.

Sorry for the long post, thanks for staying with it.

~Will
 
Quesports said:
Quentin Corner Pockets in Palatine closed last year and I believe they still have some 9 ft gold crowns in storage nearby. I would ask some local folks here on AZ in the NW burbs for that info. I'd try Rick Geschrey here on AZ his username is (scdiveteam)....
Click to expand...

If you want the contact info for the former owner of Quentin Billiards, PM me. I bought one of their GC3s when they closed....it's the one in my avatar. Good deal all around. He had 3 left when I got mine from him.
 
wilkamania said:
That makes sense.....was trying to weasel it a little for a free practice table for me :-).

.
Click to expand...

At least you're honest. I would have tried the same angle. If they're building a game/recreation room, they might as well make it big enough for a 9' table, I say!!!!

Freddie <~~~ 8' sounds right
 
You should be able to locate a reasonably priced GC in the Chicago area. How important is condition? Is the game room going to be a real interior design showplace, or just somewhere for the employees to relax and recreate?

About the ping pong table top - since space is not an issue get a separate table. Especially if it is the more popular sport you wouldn't be able to get on the pool table anytime it's being used for ping pong.
 
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I know that the owner of Pro-tyme billiards in orland park had some GC's that I think were III's for around $1750 in good shape. You may want to check and see if he still has any. He had quite a few the last time I was in there. Got them from a place that closed down and said they were not played on a lot.
 
Thanks for all the advice

Thanks again everyone.

I'll email our office manager to find out if he still wants me to look around. I've been to protyme and they always seems to have nice stuff. Also regarding the quentin billiards thing, I'll PM you when i get the okay.

The ping pong table is separate and an actual ping pong table (I think by Killer Spin...I don't know much).

The room itself will be a place for employees to relax. It's a lofty type of large office, so again, space isn't an issue.

I'll update everyone when the time comes.

~Will
 
Final Update.

We ended up going with a 9ft Gold Crown III. Ed from Protyme Billiards here in Chicago Suburbs hooked us up with a great deal (a ton of add ons included at a very good price).

Pool table comes in soon and can't wait to start hogging it up :cool:

Thanks again everyone!
 
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