Table suggestions? Advice?

M

Makey98

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
New guy here. Been out of the pool game for 15 years. Played a lot in high school, working at a pool hall and had a old table in my garage. I finally am buying house with room for any size table and was looking for suggestions or things to look for. Looking to get something used probably, trying to keep the cost under 1k, but open to suggestions on price range if you all think I need to go higher.

My level of play, if that matters is just a decent rec player. Run a rack of 9 every once in a while and can run out 3-4 balls about 60% of the time when I am playing a bit. Can hit some balls, but never really ran a rack of straight pool using a key ball and getting a 15+ ball run though. I would like to play some money games or tournaments for some competition at some point.

I only really have experience with some 8 foot and 8 foot oversized Gandy tables. Played on the big tables at Chris's in Chicago a couple times, but only been on a 9 footer a couple of times. Kind of a pain sometimes to use a bridge alot more. So here are my questions.

What size? 8 foot, 8 1/2, or 9?
Any brand suggestions?
I like the clawfoot tables if that matters.
I want the cloth to be fast and the pockets fairly tight, I don't want my home table to be slow with too forgiving pockets.

Thanks all!
 
First off, welcome to the forum Mackey. My advice would be to purchase a table with pockets the size of two-gallon buckets. They're a little hard to find, but will do wonders for your self-confidence. I always try to help out the new folks if I can, sometimes. :)
 
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Pockets

Tramp Steamer said:
First off, welcome to the forum Mackey. My advice would be to purchase a table with pockets the size of a two-gallon buckets. They're a little hard to find, but will do wonders for your self-confidence. I always try to help out the new folks if I can, sometimes. :)
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If the table is for you only, then tight pockets are going to make you sharper. If other family and friends who are not aspiring players will use table then big pockets will help them enjoy the experience. I personally love the larger 8 ft.
 
Welcome to the forum! I grew up playing on the GCll's @ Chris's.
I found a great deal on a GC ll on Chicago's Craigs list.
If you have the space like you said I would only be looking at 9' tables.
You're budget will work for a used Brunswick Gold Crown 1 or 2. Keep in mind you need to allow for professional set-up by a qualified mechanic and will probably need new rubber and cloth.

Average price for delivery and set-up in the Chicago area (if that is where you are) is around $450.00.
If you want a quality fast cloth I would recommend Simonis 760, I have Simonis 860HR and I love it. it is a little slower than the 760 but will last longer.

In any case you need to buy the table size you most enjoy playing on.
I don't think you can go wrong with a used Brunswick GC 1-2, best bang for the buck. You may need to be patient and tenacious in your search until the right table at the right price comes up.

Once you find the table I would find a quality mechanic here on AZ, many can tighten your pockets correctly by extending your sub-rails for an additional charge.

Hope this helps. Don't be afraid to use the search engine and read some older posts, great way to educate yourself and find alot of answers to questions you now have or soon will.
 
thats kind of what I was hoping for, some suggestions for what to look for a good deal on craigslist, as far as good brands or models that would work for me.

Some type of normal pocket is okay, i just didn't want some gaping home/rec style pockets that would hinder me if i played on tighter tables.
 
If you want a table you will be happy with for years to come and only want to spend about $1K, your best bet is a used 9' Brunswick Gold Crown. It will require patience to find one in good condition for your home at that price but they do come around. You may have to spend a little more than $1K but save for it and it will be worth the wait (that sort of goes along with the patience thing). You're going to have it for years so don't be in a hurry and don't settle for less than what you really want. Unless you will DIY you will also need to spend extra to have it moved and set up properly. Do yourself a favor and choose a mechanic based on reputation and not price. The right mechanic is every bit as important as the right table.
 
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Makey98 said:
New guy here. Been out of the pool game for 15 years. Played a lot in high school, working at a pool hall and had a old table in my garage. I finally am buying house with room for any size table and was looking for suggestions or things to look for. Looking to get something used probably, trying to keep the cost under 1k, but open to suggestions on price range if you all think I need to go higher.

My level of play, if that matters is just a decent rec player. Run a rack of 9 every once in a while and can run out 3-4 balls about 60% of the time when I am playing a bit. Can hit some balls, but never really ran a rack of straight pool using a key ball and getting a 15+ ball run though. I would like to play some money games or tournaments for some competition at some point.

I only really have experience with some 8 foot and 8 foot oversized Gandy tables. Played on the big tables at Chris's in Chicago a couple times, but only been on a 9 footer a couple of times. Kind of a pain sometimes to use a bridge alot more. So here are my questions.

What size? 8 foot, 8 1/2, or 9?
Any brand suggestions?
I like the clawfoot tables if that matters.
I want the cloth to be fast and the pockets fairly tight, I don't want my home table to be slow with too forgiving pockets.

Thanks all!
Click to expand...


Welcome to AZ Billiards, if you have the room ( 14 ft wide by 18 long minimum) I would suggest a 4 1/2 X 9 ft table. In the area you are living in it should not be very difficult to find an old Brunswick Gold Crown I or II, it may need new rubber, cloth, and then there is delivery and set up but even then you should be able to stay around $1500.

I know you said you like the Claw foot legs, but keep in mind they are mainly imports and not nearly as good as a Gold Crown.

JIMO
 
I noticed on CraigsList a closed-down bowling alley in Hammond, IN had 12 CGI's up for sale - $1,000 OBO. You could probably get one of these delivered/setup at your new place for well under $1,500. I played on these when I was a kid, so the add caught my eye. I'm tempted to get one for nostalgia, have a 9 footer already.
 
Wow. The answer seems unanimous. Gold crowns all the way. Thanks for the heads up about the ones in Hammond. I will check out tonight!!


Snake-

The GC's in Chris's in Chicago were all very short (height from the ground.). I assume this was just their thing and not a standard among Gold Crowns.?? There must be a standard height right?? I am in Indianapolis now. Moved from Chicago about 3 years ago. I miss it.
 
Makey98 said:
Wow. The answer seems unanimous. Gold crowns all the way. Thanks for the heads up about the ones in Hammond. I will check out tonight!!


Snake-

The GC's in Chris's in Chicago were all very short (height from the ground.). I assume this was just their thing and not a standard among Gold Crowns.?? There must be a standard height right?? I am in Indianapolis now. Moved from Chicago about 3 years ago. I miss it.
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Average height for a GC I believe is around 31". Sorry to hear you left Chicago. I left once for the warm weather of Az. but missed Chicago too much and had to move back. Give my best to Mellencamp.
 
Before you completely make up your mind shoot some pool on an olhausen with accufast rubber. you might like it better than superspeeds[brunswick]. And I'm sure you could get a used one for less than a grand. The main reason that gc's hold their value is they are a commercial table [made for pool halls] and are sturdier that most home tables. But you can still get a great table for less. Good luck and welcome. Don
 
Mr. Wiggles said:
If the table is for you only, then tight pockets are going to make you sharper. If other family and friends who are not aspiring players will use table then big pockets will help them enjoy the experience. I personally love the larger 8 ft.
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right, Mr. Wiggles. My bad. :)
 
I bought a used bar table I found on Craigslist because that's all I could fit well on my patio. If I had the room, I would definetly go with a Gold Crown. The GC 3's seem to be fairly plentiful and at very good prices ($1000 or thereabouts). Don't be cheap on the setup and cloth. When you find the table, get on the "Talk to a Mechanic" forum and ask for references of table mechanics in your area. Good luck in your quest, Pilgrim.
 
gold crown 1

Hi, I'm brand new to this site joined yesterday after I purchased a gold crown 1 from a private party. had to drive 5 hours but got lucky. be patient I waited 3 months to find one close enough for me to drive to. I used craigslist. You will have to look at craigslist at least once a day I did 3 times a day as they go quick if priced right. Another tip, don't be afraid to expand your search to outlying areas in craigslist, look in boarder big towns or neighbor states. When you find one, I did this, tell the person to do you a favor and let you look at it first before he sells it out from under you as you are driving to his house. Have the owner take names and numbers of other callers in case you bail and call them when you leave your house and onece or twice while you are on your way. It worked for me.

Good luck,

Allen
 
Look for a gold crown and get a nine footer because it's easier to adjust down in table size. I'd have the pockets tightened to around 4.5 inches.
 
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