Say … Do You Boys Have A Table (Pool, Of Course) At Home?

sunnyone

sunnyone

cum grano salis
Silver Member
Say … Do You Boys Have A Table (Pool, Of Course) At Home?

Dear Gentle Readers,

I’m asking because I may move a Gabriels Imperator billiards table from a large Soho loft, where I used to live, to a smallish space in the Village, where I now reside. (I am perfectly content here, thank you very much. Who needs a 24/7 boyfriend anyway?)

This particular article triggered my thinking about the table transition:

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3198...gn=u692&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery6

I believe I have enough rectangular space to house the table. (As the saying goes, measure once, cut twice.)

My dad told me my floor would certainly support the weight. They constructed things pretty substantially back in the 19th century.

A pool table guy told me there are a lot of playing-field levelers in the Gabriels so not to worry about the move. (Bonus! There’s that built-in table heating system should I miss having someone to cuddle with on a winter’s night!)

As for that online Houzz article … did you spot any crucial mistakes?

Anyway … if you have a home room, are you pleased with it?

> Looking back, what would you do differently?

> Insider tips?

> Any lighting recommendations?

> Now that I’m considering having my own room … will Efren be tempted to stop by my crib? Niels? Is he still married? Of course.

> What are the hidden missteps to avoid?

> How about those wall cabinets to safe-haven cue sticks?

> What about a portable top to transform the billiards table into a temporary buffet / bar? (Some of my friends - - Muffy, are you listening? - - simply aren’t to be drinks-trusted near a nude table.)

> It’s a single-family - - well, single-person - - dwelling so I don’t have to worry so much about noise, but would you recommend placing a (stylish) rug under the table?

> What other questions should I be asking, pre-moving day?

Seeking forum wisdom is my life,

Sunny

P. S. Because of a couple of wine incidents, one of which was absolutely not my responsibility, I had the table recovered in a classy Cerulean Blue. Well, sort of between that and a Pantone Blue.

However, in its new room - - strictly from a decor point of view - - a dark red cloth would actually work better. That being said, I recall one much-critiqued tournament on Hollywood Boulevard … well, okay, red might be a disaster, table-appearance-wise. So scratch that.

P. P. S. A West Coast pool pal sent me a clever tee-shirt quote which could apply to some of the discussions herein.

“I’m not arguing with you, I’m just explaining why you’re wrong.”
 
I'm sure you already know this but be ready with a tape measure (or at least a cue) right when the base is set down into the room. When we had our table setup we ended up putting it in a very different location once we had the base there even though we thought we had made all the measurements up front. Something about it actually being there that you suddenly realize a corner or wall is closer than 60" after all.

Because of that, I am glad we waited to install the light after the table was in place. Otherwise, I would have had to move it to the new location.

I'm also glad we didn't plan on much furniture in that room at all until we had the table setup. A 9' table is bigger than you think once it's in place.

Mounting a TV a little high (50" flat panel above the fireplace in our case) is a nice touch. For a guy, having Monday night football on while running some drills is a pretty nice way to end a long work day.
 
Carpet/rug around the table is nice if you put in massive hours on the table. It's music too your feet.

Don't go with red cloth, that is on the other end of the spectrum and harshest to your eyes making them tired.
ROY G BIV
Green being the most neutral and blue the next closest would relax your eyes longer and cause less strain.
 
Cardigan Kid said:
Carpet/rug around the table is nice if you put in massive hours on the table. It's music too your feet.

Don't go with red cloth, that is on the other end of the spectrum and harshest to your eyes making them tired.
ROY G BIV
Green being the most neutral and blue the next closest would relax your eyes longer and cause less strain.
Click to expand...

+1 We went with the green Simonis 860HR. I think the actual color is "Tournament Green". It looks amazing and it is really easy on the eyes. They even throw in matching chalk but the chalk kind of sucks so I there is bound to be some "pre-flag" masters blue on it soon.

The blue looks decent too but there's something classic about the green.

And no, I didn't pick the color. There are some advantages to living with a former pro pool player. She makes the important pool related decisions.
 
This is from a guy's point of view but here goes. Go into any 50 man caves and 48 of them will look the same. Big TV, poster's of favorite football teams etc. Before I bought my first table the woman at the store told me all that, then asked about my interests.

Finding out I was a keen photographer she asked if I made my own prints. I said sure, I have a darkroom right next to where I was going to put the table. She advised that other than a pool light I put in little spots around the room aimed at the wall and to display my prints. She said that would make it MY room and it would be unique. And she was right. I have my darkroom next to a small studio backed up by a gallery showing prints with my table in the middle.

At the time I bought a 8' furniture grade table and light with three shades. I later replaced the table with a mint GC 4. My lights are a little shy for a 9 ' table and you can't get 100 watt bulbs anymore so I won't go for a 4 light system. I'm looking to buy or build a 8 foot light now, so keep the future in mind for lighting.

Anyone who play's on my table knows first that no drinks are allowed on or near the table. EVER. Simple, let everyone know from the start. My good cues are kept in cases and hidden from everyone. Cheap loaner cues are available from an open rack. Anyone striking a light is banned from play until they show up with their own cue. All you need is one idiot to whack your light and ding a $200 shaft and you too will become a hardass about this. Well, at least I did. People that care about such things have their own cues and are advised to bring their own.

I have a "House Rules" posted on the wall. No it's not 8 or 9 ball rules, it's all about drinks, food, light whacking, dinging the cloth and other bad behavior. Anyone new is told to read them. You don't like it, scram. It works for me and a number of friends have asked for photocopies for their own rooms.

I live in a retirement community and am a geezer. We're expected to be a little crusty.
 
A good rule of thumb is 5 feet on every side of the table. For a 9 foot pool table you will need a room that is 19 by 14.5
 
Wow,, Sunny, you have a "smallish" place in the village that you are considering having a pool room???

Remind me if we ever meet to never gamble with you.. ;)

Congrats on the new place and have a classic color cloth installed on your table (I assume you aren't going to be sleeping under it),,, keep the cover on it when you have your wild wine parties.*****jealous*********
 
do not, i repete DO NOT

put red cloth on a pool table

#1 pool tables are green.

#2 that damn red chalk will get on and in everything. it cannot be removed from a shaft once its imbeded in the wood. it will get on your wrap and make it look like crap, and once its inside a case, just buy a new case.

the only other advice, make sure you have at least 5 feet on all sides of the table, not just the playing surface. a table in a room too small is not much better than having no table at all.

good luck with your new place.


chuck
 
15' x 20' is what you need for playable comfort.

Preferred ambiance is your personal touch.

A dark background area with a well lit table is not the best choice if you are a serious player, your pupils will seek medical attention.

If you are partial to a softer, gentler feel, the entire area shall be gentle

The sound of balls clicking is always sunny.
Enjoy your table, listen to the click of the balls, its entrancing, the first sound you hear when you enter any billiard venue. Most do not appreciate it nor realize it is there.

A of bottle Pétrus or Romanée Conti resting in a decanter, life is good.
 
Buzzard II said:
This is from a guy's point of view but here goes. Go into any 50 man caves and 48 of them will look the same. Big TV, poster's of favorite football teams etc. Before I bought my first table the woman at the store told me all that, then asked about my interests.



Finding out I was a keen photographer she asked if I made my own prints. I said sure, I have a darkroom right next to where I was going to put the table. She advised that other than a pool light I put in little spots around the room aimed at the wall and to display my prints. She said that would make it MY room and it would be unique. And she was right. I have my darkroom next to a small studio backed up by a gallery showing prints with my table in the middle.



At the time I bought a 8' furniture grade table and light with three shades. I later replaced the table with a mint GC 4. My lights are a little shy for a 9 ' table and you can't get 100 watt bulbs anymore so I won't go for a 4 light system. I'm looking to buy or build a 8 foot light now, so keep the future in mind for lighting.



Anyone who play's on my table knows first that no drinks are allowed on or near the table. EVER. Simple, let everyone know from the start. My good cues are kept in cases and hidden from everyone. Cheap loaner cues are available from an open rack. Anyone striking a light is banned from play until they show up with their own cue. All you need is one idiot to whack your light and ding a $200 shaft and you too will become a hardass about this. Well, at least I did. People that care about such things have their own cues and are advised to bring their own.



I have a "House Rules" posted on the wall. No it's not 8 or 9 ball rules, it's all about drinks, food, light whacking, dinging the cloth and other bad behavior. Anyone new is told to read them. You don't like it, scram. It works for me and a number of friends have asked for photocopies for their own rooms.



I live in a retirement community and am a geezer. We're expected to be a little crusty.
Click to expand...


As a geezer myself.... Would you mind sharing the aforementioned rules?


* wish I had started this crap earlier *
 
> Any lighting recommendations? Diamond billiard table lights matched to the wood of the table--call them, they will do it.

> What are the hidden missteps to avoid? No TV in the pool room. Stereo is mandatory.

> What about a portable top to transform the billiards table into a temporary buffet / bar? two 4*8*3/4 plywood sheets, cut to fit, works just fine.

> It’s a single-family - - well, single-person - - dwelling so I don’t have to worry so much about noise, but would you recommend placing a (stylish) rug under the table? Your choice.

> What other questions should I be asking, pre-moving day?

Seeking forum wisdom is my life,

Sunny

P. S. Because of a couple of wine incidents, one of which was absolutely not my responsibility, I had the table recovered in a classy Cerulean Blue. Well, sort of between that and a Pantone Blue.

However, in its new room - - strictly from a decor point of view - - a dark red cloth would actually work better. That being said, I recall one much-critiqued tournament on Hollywood Boulevard … well, okay, red might be a disaster, table-appearance-wise. So scratch that.

Wait until you have a chance to see <what remains of> the blue cloth in the new place before deciding on red.
 
Cloth

I agree. DO NOT use a red cloth. Use blue or green. The table to play pool not for exercising design ideas.

We did the latter when we setup our Gold Crown and it was a mistake. We had it covered with a nice maroon to match the room. It is not the right color for playing and red chalk dust is nearly impossible to remove from shafts.
 
I recommend investing in a cover for when your table is not in use. This helps to keep it clean and can also stop the inadvertent spill from causing any real damage. That also removes the issue about whatever cloth color you choose contrasting with your decor.

Agree on the red cloth. I've had tournament green for about 8 years and recently switched to tournament blue. Much to my surprise, I prefer the blue. It feels like I can see the balls better.

Everything else is up to you. I know some folks that have pool vids playing nearby so they can recreate shots they see. I typically have soft jazz playing when I'm practicing.

I like the idea of the table being out in plain site. Guitar players talk about having a case problem; if your ax is in a case, you're less likely to play it. If your table is in a different room, you're less likely to play it.

Now go enjoy it!

Brian in VA
 
I have a diamond professional 9 footer with simonis cloth, pro cut 4.5 inch pockets, recently up graded to new diamond specs. by Glen Hancock, 1 of the top pool table mechanics in the country. I try to play daily, skill level 7 in apa league, began playing at age 12 in 1956. Still a threat, even tho i'm older, lol, recent eye surgery helps a lot.
 
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GOGG, Since inquiring minds and geezers want to know here's the "House Rules" I've posted.

1. DO NOT sit on the table at any time, EVER.
2. DO NOT place drinks on or near the table, EVER.
3. No Masse or jump shots.
4. Anyone striking the light shade with a house cue will be assigned a cheap black cue for the reminder of the evening, Said person will thereafter be banned from play unless supplying their own cue.
5. Unless otherwise stipulated, 8-ball will be plated by BCA/PL rules.
6. Persons dinging the cloth due to incompetent stroke will be banned.
7. Paw prints from overuse of talcum powder is not appreciated. Use a towel.


Violations of rules 1&2 may result in termination rather than banishment depending on the proprietor's whim.

Thank you, and have a good time

Jimmy 'da Vig
 
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