Why I'll never own a pool table

DelawareDogs

DelawareDogs

The Double Deuce…
Silver Member
It might seem crazy, but here's my theory on why I don't want to have a pool table in my own home, even though one will fit.

Pool is my social outlet. If I had one I wouldn't get out to play, and I don't think I would go on trips to play pool as much.
Pool gets me out of the house, when most other things on weekends wouldn't. I'm a shut-in like that.

That being said - I can see how it would possibly save me money in the long run, and improve my game (maybe?)

Curious what everyone's take on my thoughts are.......
 
I can understand that...ever consider getting a dog?....many people have dogs because it forces them to get out.
 
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Having a table at home doesn't mean you lose the opportunity to get out n about.

Of course, once you realize the conditions are better, the drinks are better and the music is better and there's only one a-hole in your home room...

So easy to stay in stroke, makes those outings far more enjoyable.
 
I have a table in my basement.

It doesn't stop me, or curb my enthusiasm for going out to play one bit.

Additionally, I really enjoy hosting friends over my one pocket grudge matches.
 
Delaware, that’s a good perspective.We all know ourselves.

I’m not all that interested in getting better and money isn’t an issue. My home tables are almost a form of meditating. I might bang balls around for 15 minutes...or an hour. Get lost in some fantasy about being in the world championship or mutter to myself (wife always jokes: ‘Who were arguing with?’)

I’m not much of a social person so billiards does indeed get me out amongst the living. Other than my wife I can otherwise go days without talking to anyone. Since the Covid I thing may have hiked or cycled a half dozen times with friends. Pool halls here are open but leagues not playing. I wouldn’t go even if they were. I’’ll be down by the river fishing...then home hitting a few balls around.
 
I have two. And in my retirement neighborhood there's another half a dozen within two blocks. There's a group of regulars that play together and another group that use the clubhouse.

Our group has better tables, lights, cues, ball sets and much cheaper beer and better food.

I bought the second table, a bar box, for the guys that needed help and to keep in tune with playing a magnetic cue ball. I travel a lot. During lockdown it helped keep me sane.
 
I have 2 tables at home. I am just as happy staying at home shooting alone as I am hosting people or shooting tournaments and league. The nice thing about having a home table is that the equipment is always nicer (or can be), you will never find chalk upside down on my rails or white chalk/powder hand prints all over my table.
 
When I go to a bar or what passes for a pool hall in my area it is with someone or a group and we for the most part aren't looking for a game. Unless I am traveling for work, I don't go somewhere alone to play pool looking for an opponent. I have zero interest in leagues.

So for me it's a case of: why put up with bad music, waiting for what is probably a poorly maintained table, the drive, etc. I supply the value and table, they bring beer and/or food, everybody is happy.

I am not a "practicer". I'll take the cover off my table and refamiliarize my brain with a cue every few months if I haven't played in awhile but that’s the extent of it. I have the table to be able to host friends.

To me it's worth it to have the home table. I have plenty of other things that get me out of the house. I can't afford my own golf course.

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DelawareDogs said:
It might seem crazy, but here's my theory on why I don't want to have a pool table in my own home, even though one will fit.

Pool is my social outlet. If I had one I wouldn't get out to play, and I don't think I would go on trips to play pool as much.
Pool gets me out of the house, when most other things on weekends wouldn't. I'm a shut-in like that.

That being said - I can see how it would possibly save me money in the long run, and improve my game (maybe?)

Curious what everyone's take on my thoughts are.......
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This may be a good theory if owning a pool table somehow prevented someone from also playing in other places. Would you sell your stove because you like going to restaurants and don't want a stove to keep you from doing that? I have a table but 90% of the time I am playing at pool halls, it does not cut down on the time I go out to play at all.
 
hang-the-9 said:
This may be a good theory if owning a pool table somehow prevented someone from also playing in other places. Would you sell your stove because you like going to restaurants and don't want a stove to keep you from doing that? I have a table but 90% of the time I am playing at pool halls, it does not cut down on the time I go out to play at all.
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Your stove analogy is on point, I suppose that if going out to eat was the ONLY thing that gets me out of the house socially, that I'd turn away from getting a stove if I didn't have one. Trust me, if most houses came with a pool table like they do stoves, I don't think I'd go out of my way to make a big fuss about it.

My point being that I'm socially awkward, to some people's perspective. I do not get out much, and pool is one of the only outlets I have.
 
I think if not having a table is what will work best for you then you should not have a table at home. I suspect well over half of the membership here does not have a home table whether they would like to have one or not.

For me, I like having the ability to host friends in a non-commercial setting and if anything it makes it more likely that I'll socialize...at least pre-COVID. Options to play on decent equipment at bars or halls are very scarce in my area and going to a bar and drinking until my quarter comes up on the Valley lost it's appeal to me 30+ years ago.

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logical said:
I think if not having a table is what will work best for you then you should not have a table at home. I suspect well over half of the membership here does not have a home table whether they would like to have one or not.

For me, I like having the ability to host friends in a non-commercial setting and if anything it makes it more likely that I'll socialize...at least pre-COVID. Options to play on decent equipment at bars or halls are very scarce in my area and going to a bar and drinking until my quarter comes up on the Valley lost it's appeal to me 30+ years ago.

Sent from my SM-T830 using Tapatalk
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This I can definitely get behind the positives of it. No waiting, no playing strangers that you'd rather not play, much better equipment, atmosphere as quiet or as loud as you want it with whatever music you like. That might tend to mess with my psyche sometimes, if I ventured out away from that heavenly bliss, suddenly I'd find myself in the dirty pool room, with death metal playing and beer stains on the cloth, and losing.
 
I have had a home table most of my adult life. Right now I don't have one - possibly looking to change that - even if it means a home addition or a new home. I always played in pool halls, bars, and tournaments when I had a home table. My home table was used as a practice venue for me, a way introduce my two sons to the game - and we all played together for many, many years on those tables, and at times, as a social focal point when friends or relatives that enjoyed pool would visit .

No reason you could not combine home use of a table with a balanced social setting time frame for the game you enjoy so much. This covid thing may yet put the pool halls that we visit out of business in many more areas - so a home table is like insurance on one of your favorite past times. Just make up your mind up front that you will have a balanced approach to home and out of home billiard time and go ahead and enjoy both!
 
DelawareDogs said:
It might seem crazy, but here's my theory on why I don't want to have a pool table in my own home, even though one will fit.

Pool is my social outlet. If I had one I wouldn't get out to play, and I don't think I would go on trips to play pool as much.
Pool gets me out of the house, when most other things on weekends wouldn't. I'm a shut-in like that.

That being said - I can see how it would possibly save me money in the long run, and improve my game (maybe?)

Curious what everyone's take on my thoughts are.......
Click to expand...
By that last sentence, sounds to me like you’re leaving the door open to the possibility of a table in your future!

No reason you couldn’t do both – use the Home table for your practice sessions and having others over to play, but still going out to play with others as well.
 
I've only recently been fortunate enough to have a home table, ands it's been worth all the time and effort to make it happen. I still go and shoot other places, but getting table time at home is something I'll enjoy for avery long time.
 
I like to play with people and can't see myself shooting alone at home. It's basically a luxury to do this.
 
ChrisinNC said:
By that last sentence, sounds to me like you’re leaving the door open to the possibility of a table in your future!

No reason you couldn’t do both – use the Home table for your practice sessions and having others over to play, but still going out to play with others as well.
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You are correct sir. I could entertain the idea. Single young guy with living room space to spare....... a nice 7ft Diamond, maybe even an 8ft Diamond (there is a sizeable tournament locally that runs 8fts) and I might just invite some over. Probably not everyone.... haha.
 
Willie had a home table he almost never used (no penalty for missing), but back when I was competing regularly, I found that hitting drills for an hour before going out allowed me to get in stroke quicker after the match started.
 
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