I regularly see pool tables for free, often with all the lights, balls, cues etc included. I set one up in my living room and it's nice to play a few racks in the evening, Ill go out and play with friends on the weekends. It's cheap and it's so much fun.
a fancy cue is nice to have, sure if it's your thing why not spend on a nice one if you want, but I'm surprised how well a good player can play with even the worst and most crooked cue. I think the main reason the halls are vanishing is because, like with movie theaters or bowling lanes, it is much less popular than it was back in the 50's or 60's.
Now ever kid has a cell phone stuck to his face and can't focus their eyes past 3 feet as a result. They also lack in hand eye coordination due to never really doing much that is physical like building things or fixing things. half the kids cant' even work a hammer or a handsaw properly if they are recently out of high school.
there is something to the fact that many cant' afford houses and are thus forced to live in pigeon coop style apartment buildings, even lots of those do have a games room though. membership to my local public recreation is 40 dollars a year plus 40 if you sign up for the snooker club, they have 4 10' tables and Ive never had to wait at all when I've dropped in.
The teeny 7' diamond tables that some pool players take seriously don't even need big rooms. Those kids tables will fit in an average sized bedroom. you need 5 ' all around for a cue to swing, but if there is less then it's still a fair game.
I had a 7' brunswick portable set up in my kitchen and we had 2 years of almost constant fun. I restored it , replaced cushions and felt and had it up for sale at a moderate price a long time, no takers. that one was free too , I just spent a bit for the supplies, rubber, glue laquer, etc. I figure I spent $400.
going on airline trips , hotels , forget that, I hate getting stuck in airports, I had enough of that through work training courses etc.
