Hey guys, I've recently been talking with my roommates about getting a pool table for our place next year. We're moving into a bigger house and I'll finally have room for one. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on a decent starter table for college kids on a budget. I realize it'll cost some money, but I also don't have 2 grand to drop on a table. Any recommendations? Or am I better off just driving to the pool hall?
Good starter tables for college student on a budget...
- Thread starter Twist
- Start date
Twist said:
Look for Gold Crown I and II tables, in many cases you can find one for around $1000. Having it moved and set up with Simonis 860 cloth, possiblr need rubber and having the pockets tighten up to at least 4 1/2 inche corners will not cost more than an additional $600 at most.
Check Craigs List and other type web pages.
I second the bar table suggestion.
They are very durable. Also if you do decide later that you can get a nicer table its easy to get rid of the bar box. Most of the time at a price similiar to what you paid for it.
I know when I was in college a nice nine footer would have been subject to one too many parties and spilled drinks.
They are very durable. Also if you do decide later that you can get a nicer table its easy to get rid of the bar box. Most of the time at a price similiar to what you paid for it.
I know when I was in college a nice nine footer would have been subject to one too many parties and spilled drinks.
Where do you live, you could set it up your self, not that difficult, just takes some time.
I had a slate 8' table in college, it was just a no name type brand but it had a slate bed and we had it set up, covered and leveled by the house guy at a local pool hall and it played fine. You should be able to find a slate 8' home table (maybe an old 9' if you have room as someone mentioned) pretty cheaply, it's a buyer's market and lots of people in this economy are selling things like tables. As long as it's got a slate bed that's not warped and the frame is sturdy it will play fine IF you have it set up, leveled (replace rubber if necessary, it's worth it) and covered by someone who is good......the setup job is the key to making a just OK table play well. Bar boxes are fine as well if that's what you mainly intend to play on. Check, E-bay, the local newspaper, AZ billiards for sale/wanted, and look/ask around at the pool halls. Also ask local guys who are table mechanics, these guys always know where there are tables for sale and they can help make sure you get a good deal and buy a table that can be set up to play well, they also know where you can find lights, balls racks etc., and some of these guys have accumulated these items as well as tables and keep them in storage because they had the opportunity to buy cheap.
Subscribing to an important thread.
You might want to try asking in the "Talk To A Mechanic" section as well.
You might want to try asking in the "Talk To A Mechanic" section as well.
Check your local Craigslist! I think if you were to have something slate refelted, shimmed with neoprene pocket facings, with new K66 rails, it should play pretty good.
I find 8' Olhaussen's on Craigslist for less than $1K all the time. I've never seen any GC's for less than $1800 at least not in this area. If you can find a Gold Crown for around $1k snatch it up quick. Olhaussen's are a little easier to find from what I've seen.
Check the local paper (classifieds), craigslist, local/regional classifieds pubications (in my area there's one called the Tradin Post), and also ask at the poolhall and a couple of local bars where you can get a barbox CHEAP. Getting a nice one (even used) will ruin get togethers for you - wondering if the drunks are gonna do something stupid to your table!!! So get a barbox (they're built to take a licking), and have it set up and re-clothed, and you are good to go. If you're like me and won't take an expensive cue to just any bar to play pool; why would you want the stress of having a pricey table where things (unimaginable things) COULD happen. I shared a house with 3 other baseball players in college...not sure ANY of our posessions made it outta the place!!! LOL
Thanks for all the replies guys. For the record, I live in central Texas, College Station to be exact. Our craigslist doesn't get as much stuff as Houston's or Austin's posted on it. I actually talked to the owner at the pool hall I play at and they are expanding and renovating at about the same time we'll be moving. He said he's planning on buying some new tables and will work something out with me to get a good deal on one of his old ones. All his tables are nice tables, albeit 30-50 years old. If that doesn't work out, I'll check into some of the ones you mentioned.
Depends on how much room you have
If you have room for a 9 footer go for it. If you don't I wouldn't bother with a bar box unless you wanna have it coin operated so you can make some cash during parties.
If you don't have room for a 9 foot table just save your money and go to the pool hall and have a good time.
If you have room for a 9 footer go for it. If you don't I wouldn't bother with a bar box unless you wanna have it coin operated so you can make some cash during parties.
If you don't have room for a 9 foot table just save your money and go to the pool hall and have a good time.
Another vote for craigslist. check it out for a month+ and you will see the same offerings over and over again. Often, these folks will take a small % of what they are asking if you tell them you will get it out of there immediately and they will never hear about it it again.
Remember that you will need balls, sticks, cloth, chalk, rack...and somebody that knows what he is doing to put it together.
Remember that you will need balls, sticks, cloth, chalk, rack...and somebody that knows what he is doing to put it together.
In college we went to a local billiards store and bought a new table. I think it was $1000 delivered and setup. We didn't do the best cloth and table as we were on a budget, but also because it's a college house (things happen). If you guys are anything like we were, parties, girls, etc. you probably should get a felt with the Teflon (Water proofing) in it.
Or go with a Barbox used.
Either way, having an Okay table is better than No Table, right?
Or go with a Barbox used.
Either way, having an Okay table is better than No Table, right?