Purchasing your first home table

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wantat

New member
Hi All,

Been lurking for awhile...this is my first post. If this topic has been covered ad nauseum, please disregard.

I caught the pool bug a bit over a year ago, and I've been having a blast learning the game. I've done a couple of league sessions, and more than anything, want to get better at this game. So, I've decided getting a table in my home is the next step. I've got a good space (big enough for 9'), and a wife who is (a bit reluctantly) down with this plan.

My question: Being quite new to pool, and not being very discerning on how tables play, is there a knock on buying a "furniture" grade table as my starter table? At least where I reside (Seattle, WA), on Craigslist for $800-1000 I can have my choice of used 8' Olhausen, Brunswick, etc tables. Budget is not unlimited, but not necessarily a hard constraint, either. But reading through some of these threads, it seems like if you're not getting into a Diamond or Gold Crown, you're wasting your time/money. Well, looking for Diamond and GC's (used) seems to return very few results in my area, and the ones I've seen (two GC III's for $4500/ea), seem totally out of reach or unreasonably priced.

I realize my post is a bit vague. I'm just curious if you'd try to talk me out of buying the perfectly that nice looking Olhausen 8'. Or, are you perfectly satisfied with having this type of table in the home, where you can play on more pro style tables when you go out and play competitively. Appreciate the opinions and insights as my position is one of ignorance.

Thanks!
 
Save up and buy the diamond. I am on my third table now and its a gold crown. Plays well but I still want a diamond
 
I bought a furniture table to begin with. Now it sits in my closet. It is perfect if you just want to play at home or play on Bar tables. But if you want to compete and get better get a Diamond Pro. I did this and i don't regret it at all. Should have done it to begin with. Playing on this table at home regularly will help your game when you go and play anywhere on any table. Good Luck.
 
OP my story is a little like yours. I became interested in playing again after a 40 year lay off and decided to play in a bar league. Most of the venues use 7' Valley tables. I am restricted by room size and budget so I started looking for 7' tables for those reasons and because I will be playing on 7' tables in league play. Would I like to get better than that? Sure, but doing the math on "sinking a million balls" and comparing it to my insurance companies opinion of my likely life span I decided I would never become a great player.

In the end I found a 7' Olhausen (apparently furniture per the forum standards :smile:) had it professionally moved, refelted, set up and leveled. My total investment was about $665 for table, balls, cues, racks, etc. (I still have my old traveling cue as well) I like it, my game is improving quickly from the practice, it's all good. My recommendation is to take a realistic look at what you want to accomplish and head for that. If you need a pro quality table because you expect to be a pro level player, go for it. If not, do what makes sense within your goals, budget, and life situation.
 
Don't necessarily hold-out for a Diamond or Gold Crown, but don't settle because you want something NOW. Be patient and check Craigslist from surrounding areas as well as close to you. Talk to table-movers and ask about their delivery areas and costs.

At first I was going to buy a new "furniture" table, then decided to wait. I spent a lot of time on Craiglist, looking at areas from across NY state. I ended up getting a Gold Crown II from about 45 minutes away and spent less for the table and move/setup than the 7' furniture table would have cost.

I am SOOOOO happy that I was patient.
 
If you can afford it, I would absolutely go for the Diamond first. It is far better than the other options in my opinion. If you can't swing it, I would wait and find a good used Gold Crown. The prices you quoted from Craigslist are ridiculous. If you wait you can find a used GC for under $1500.

If it were me, I would not go below a professional grade table. I play on my Diamond every day and I would be disappointed if I had settled for anything else.

I would also mention, it is important to make sure you truly have enough space for a 9 foot table. Many of the companies tell you 14' x 18' is plenty of space, but it is not. I wouldn't recommend anything less than 15' x 20'. If your area is smaller than that, start looking for a smaller table.
 
Furniture Tables not that different from Diamond or GC

We are a Brunswick Dealer in NC, and I would like to share that the Gold Crown uses exactly the same cushions and slate (the primary determinants of quality of play) as the Authentic Brunswick line. So the only real difference is in look and construction. The GC is undoutedly more durable and more stoutly built, as is the Diamond, and all other "bar style tables".

I'd stick to Brunswick or Olhausen (Diamonds are good, too, but harder to find). If you get a Brunswick, I highly recommend the "Authentic Brunswick" line vs. the "Contender". Contenders are good, and have good rubber, slate, and pockets, but it is worth the extra $$$ to get the Authentic.

Please call (336)988-8642 to discuss more, or check out the Everything Billiards website.
 
Thanks all for the perspective.

I think the question of what I'm looking to get out of table and out of myself as a player is a key question, and one I probably haven't given enough thought. How motivated am I to get better? How committed am I to work on drills and the required repeition after the honeymoon period is over?

Also, the idea of being patient in my search is also great advice and something I don't want to lose sight of. If I can potentially find a nice Gold Crown (or similar) somewhere near the same price range of what I'm seeing every day, then waiting it out will be the way to go. I've been discouraged so far, but have only been looking for about a month. Not enough of a sample size.

I've got more to think about now, and really do appreciate the advice. As for space, I definately have room for the 9', which is fortunate. :smile:
 
I think most guys here will recommend that you save up and get a 9 ft Diamond or GC if possible and also use a reputable mechanic like RealKingCobra to install properly. If there are space obstructions, they'll recommend you knock the obstructions down (ie. lally poles).

That being the case, the only question really is your budget. If the budget is there, bring RealKingCobra in to install a 9' GC or Diamond and knock down walls / poles needed to clear space.

If you a truly limited by space and budget then you have to prioritize. For ME it was:

- Get 7'. Can't knock things down and can't stand to use short cues
- Get a solid wood Olhausen. IMO - best bang for the used table buck (not including GC that I can't fit) and pretty confident table and cushions (accufast) will be quality.
- Get new Simonis 860
- Get Aramith Premier balls (cheap balls will burn cloth)
- Use a reputable mechanic

As a developing D+ / C- player with all things considered, that situation is suiting me perfectly. I'm sure the story is different for most others on this forum.

Just saw your last post. IMO since you can fit a 9' - look for a used GC, use a good mechanic like RKC, get new Simonis cloth, and at least get Aramith premier balls to not burn the cloth.
 
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If you have a highly competitive mentality behind your game...

Then, I'd buy either a Diamond or a Gold Crown.

If it's all about recreation, and there is no desire for the higher levels of competition then a standard low end table would suffice.

Great deals are around the corner, especially on pool tables...so just be patient and the deals will evolve.

Myself, I'd buy a Diamond, because it's the tougher table to play on, with the deeper pocket shelf.

I LOVE my Diamond.
 
wantat said:
Thanks all for the perspective.

I think the question of what I'm looking to get out of table and out of myself as a player is a key question, and one I probably haven't given enough thought. How motivated am I to get better? How committed am I to work on drills and the required repeition after the honeymoon period is over?
Click to expand...

If you're asking the questions, you may want to hold off on getting the table, and take a different "next step". For example, find an instructor in the area, take regular lessons (something I wish I could do where I live), and dedicate a couple more practice (not play!) hours a week in the pool room.
 
I was unaware that there is any table made other than the Diamond Pro. I have seen other pieces of furniture with cloth on them and six strange holes around the perimeter though.
 
How about...take your time and shop around. Do it it right the 1st time. Some of my friends bought inexpensive & mediocre tables. They don't know the difference...they enjoy the heck out of them.
My first table was a Gandy Hustler... got divorced....sold the house & table. I loved it. I always wanted a GoldCrown and that is my current table. You will buy a table one time. You will not sell it and upgrade. There a a few reputable installers that sell reconditioned quality tables. You can get a good deal and an installation that you will be happy with. Furniture style or contemporary....buy what you like.
 
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Patience

After nearly a year of looking at restored antique brunswicks, pricing new diamonds and searching Craigslist I just purchased a GCII with a four shade light, new simonis 860 cloth, Brunswick biCentenial balls and a small selection of cues for $1,000. Keep looking...they are out there! The other posts here are very correct in that the initial setup by a qualified mechanic is imperative. With the cost of a blue label Diamond at $5,200 and new Pro AM at $5,600 plus delivery and set up.. I just decided to replace the GCII I sold about 10 years ago. Getting ready to retire in January and money is tight right now and probably won't get any better.
Good hunting!
 
If you've caught the bug, get a nice 9 foot table. If price is a concern get a GCI or II on Craigslist. I bought a GCI and had it set up with new rubber and cloth for $1800. It plays perfect! Diamonds are a bit more but also awesome.
Go for it!
 
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