Coin-operated pool tables ?

T

Thepip

David
Silver Member
I am considering buying either a Valley or a Great American Coin-op pool table. What I am looking for is information on what to look for in a coin-op table and if there is really a difference in the 2 tables. I am not looking for an older table but something from the last few years and both of there website has good selling information about there tables but I want to hear from people who play on them. I am a beginner APA layer and want to have something that will fit into my garage so 7ft is as small and as big that I would like to go.

Some questions I have specifically is.

1. Are they all 1 piece slate tables.
2. is there a way to check the slate before buying
3. what would be the maintenance cost of the table.
4. Can you use any type of balls on the table like (aramith pool balls)
5. can you put simonis pool table cloth on it.
6. can the rails be refinished with K66 rubber.
 
I have a coin op table bought it about 7 years ago play on it often it has been recovered twice once with 860 and once with championship ture edition I am very satisfied with the way it plays very little maintenance other than cleaning the felt and I think you can use any size or brand balls you want to use just my opinion I know several people that own coin op tables for home use and they do not seam to have any of the issues you ask about
 
Some questions I have specifically is.

1. Are they all 1 piece slate tables. - YES
2. is there a way to check the slate before buying - YOU CAN CHECK FOR CRACKS BY TAKING THE CLOTH OFF OF THE SLATE BEFORE LIFTING IT OUT OF THE TABLE. OTHER THAN THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO FEEL BY HAND FOR ANY CRACKS
3. what would be the maintenance cost of the table. - DEPENDS ON PLAY. OCCASIONAL CLOTH RECOVER AND RAIL REPLACEMENT WHEN RUBBER GOES BAD.
4. Can you use any type of balls on the table like (aramith pool balls) - OBJECT BALLS, YES. IF YOU WANT THE CUE BALL TO RETURN PROPERLY, YOU'LL NEED A MAGNETIC BALL. ARAMITH DOES HAVE A PRETTY GOOD MAGNETIC BALL. LOOK FOR THE GREEN LOGO.
5. can you put simonis pool table cloth on it. - YES
6. can the rails be refinished with K66 rubber. - YES
 
Thank you both for the good information that you have provided. What about model or Brand information is there really a difference in them if I am buying a newer type of table? Also when it comes to the cue ball if I wanted to buy the Dot cue ball if it does not have a magnet inside of it, it will not return properly but that should not make much of a difference. is there a difference in the playability of a coin-op table being 1 piece of slate. is there a playing difference in 3 piece slate to 1 piece slate?
 
Coin Op

If you can wait you can find a good deal on a Diamond Smart Table and they are light years ahead of any other bar box. I bought a pro pocket Smart Table 2yrs. ago for $1800 and the guy delivered it. You won't be sorry. Brian.
 
Thepip said:
Thank you both for the good information that you have provided. What about model or Brand information is there really a difference in them if I am buying a newer type of table? Also when it comes to the cue ball if I wanted to buy the Dot cue ball if it does not have a magnet inside of it, it will not return properly but that should not make much of a difference. is there a difference in the playability of a coin-op table being 1 piece of slate. is there a playing difference in 3 piece slate to 1 piece slate?
Click to expand...

That all depends on the slate and the installer. Assuming perfect slate in both scenarios (not likely), the goal of a good installer is to get 3 pieces of slate as flat and level as one-piece.
 
I called Diamond and a used coin-op or no coin-op table delivered and installed in $4300 so that is a lot out of my price range. will stick to a 1 piece slate valley or Great American.
 
> diamond billiards pro am is the one table that I know of that builds there bar style tables for a real deal pool player.
-The rest of the table in bars are cheaply built coin operated amusement games..
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Rob.M
 
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$4300 for a used Smart Table from Diamond with delivery, light, and set-up. That's normal from Diamond. You may find one used in your area if you look real hard but I doubt you'll find one. They're that good and people hang on to them.

If your curious, ask Diamond what it costs for 12 7-foot Smart Tables to include a light, delivery and set-up (I'm keeping it confidential). APA is big in my area so when the APA in Vegas goes to Diamonds so will I.

However, one picture on the APA website shows at least 102 Valleys in Vegas in 2010 and another site says 250 tables were brought in for 2012 (don't know if that's all Valleys). Quick arithmetic indicate's that's $450,000 - $1,000,000 in Diamonds would be required for the APA alone, probably less with a price break. I'm safe for awhile.
 
I do believe that the diamond tables right now are the best table to play on but I would not knock the other tables like Valley and cal them cheaply built coin operated amusement games. For me it's about affordability and practicality. I will be setting up my table in my garage and my space is allocated for a 7ft table. I play in the APA and I am a skill level 4 in both 8&9 and I want to practice hitting balls and running drills. I would love a $4300 table to do that with but if I can get a used Valley and accomplish the same thing for less then half of that more money to spend when I am in Vegas! This post was started to get peoples opinion on coin-op tables and how they play from people that play on them and I do appreciate the feed back already given, I am still looking for more information and if anyone else has an opinion on it I welcome the feed back.
 
I'm not a mechanic but I believe you will be fine with a Valley/Dynamo. Valleys were designed for bars and arcades and, in my opinion, have done more to get the average Joe and Mary to shoot pool for fun than Brunswick and Diamond put together; "The Hustler" and "The Color of Money" aside. I own 14 Valleys and the competition (2) each with as many Diamonds haven't put me out of business! If there is a complaint about a Valley I've heard it ... usually from the loser, not the winner. Enjoy your Valley.
 
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