Whats important in a pool table?

B

Bellhemen

Registered
I recently went into a couple different billiard stores looking at pool tables. I want something that plays good and my wife wants something that looks good. She's ruled out gold crowns and diamonds. So I'm stuck looking at 'other' tables. I quickly learned that I know next to nothing about pool tables. I know that I want Simonis 860, and 4.5 inch pockets with slate at least an inch thick but thats about all I guess. The sales people start going off about Brazilian slate and that it is one step below Italian slate but won't make a difference in how the balls roll or its constructed of all African hardwood or some crap. I just nod my head like a chick talking to a auto mechanic. I've learned to look under the tables and sure table A has more bracing than table B. But are there some guidelines to go by?

One salesperson told me Olhausen is all but Bankrupt, and Brunswick (I think) sold a part of there company to some shuffleboard company. Should this be a concern? I don't want to have issues in the future obtaining parts.

What else do I need to know before I drop 5 grand on a table?
 
Some of the Brunswick tables look great and play well too, what about the Gibson or Metro?
 
Hi there,

The 9F table all have the standard pocket/curshion size and one inch slate, no matter bruns or olhausen.

Bruns factory at mexcio, u easy find it from net, u just mail them what u concern and the answer should be grateful, they also will recommend the right table worker to make up your table, forget about the dealer crap.

Simions cloth and accessory, u can find a very good dealer from AZB, for ex KOINNKID

P.S I personally play the bruns table over 10 years.

cheers
 
Last edited:
Both Diamond and Brunswick make home tables in a variety of styles. Maybe one of those would appeal to your wife.

There's also a new contemporary model Diamond showed recently but I don't yet see it on their website so I'm not sure if it is being produced. RKC would probably have some info on it.

Tell the wifey she gets to pick either the table style or the cloth color but not both. Then make sure she knows you intend to pick a cloth color that clashes with the drapes. She might decide she would rather choose the color and then you can get the Gold Crown or Diamond you want. At which point you then offer to buy her new drapes to match the color cloth you want. :wink:
 
For furniture tables look at Proline, Connelly, American Heirloom(online only), Peter Vitale(Andrew Gill Collection) In my opinion Olh. and Bwick furniture models are chinsy compared to those.
 
Sounds like your wife wants a piece of furniture not a pool table. If that is the case, it depends on what kind of house you have. If you have a modern decor, I would think a Diamond would fit right in. If you have a classic theme, then something wooden with drop pockets (my guess of what she is looking for). If you have an older style house, I would seriously look into finding an antique! If your side job is a clown, go for the bumper table. ;)
 
Don't worry about looks. Get a Daimond or Brunswick. Looks don't make the table play better. Both make great looking and playing tables, that is why they are so popular.

I have a 35 year old Brunswick. The only choice my wife made was "Get the 9ft table" She said it was more fun to play on. I don't think she played more than 100 games since we got it. If I were to get another table it would be a Diamond.

Also stick with green or blue cloth.

On a serious note; to keep peace in the family you need to keep her happy and tell her you are getting her that big diamond that she always wanted. Come on! It is Christmas.
 
Last edited:
Ha, everyone so cool.

Xmas coming, we need keep our family happy forever, table is one of my family too.

lol
 
My wife made me buy a firniture table so I got a beautiful Olhausen. The table played so much different than a GC or Diamound that I quit playing on it.

One day my wife asked why I dont play on my table. I told her the table plays so much different that I just dont want to play on it. And I told her that I was so pissed that I let her talk me into wasting 3 grand.

She finally understands. You need to buy what you need. The black GC are nice and are neutral in color, goes with everything.
 
There are many excellent used tables being sold today at very low prices. Browse thru your local Craigslist.com before you buy a new table. You can't beat a Brunswick, Oldhausen or Gandy.
 
I would recommend a divorce. TELL her it's going to be a GCI or she's sleeping in the car! lol
 
atthecat said:
I would recommend a divorce. TELL her it's going to be a GCI or she's sleeping in the car! lol
Click to expand...

It took a few weeks after we were married to convince my wife that we could have sex in the bedroom and not in the car. So be careful. Nothing wrong with sleeping in the car. :rotflmao1:
 
I have an Anniversary and GCI in my garage...now I'm jealous of your wife and car! Damn, I knew that post would back fire on me! LOL
 
Sounds to me like your wife wears the pants, you need to strap on a set and get the Diamond!!! :grin:
 
So I'll stick with a big name brand. Thats what I was thinking anyway. But I'm still at a loss as to what or why they are better than some of the smaller tables brands. I wonder if some of the price is paying for brand name recognition. Some of these salesmen point out other tables I've never heard of for 1900 bucks and say they are good tables.
 
Bellhemen said:
So I'll stick with a big name brand. Thats what I was thinking anyway. But I'm still at a loss as to what or why they are better than some of the smaller tables brands. I wonder if some of the price is paying for brand name recognition. Some of these salesmen point out other tables I've never heard of for 1900 bucks and say they are good tables.
Click to expand...

Take the time to go look at a Gold Crown - massive frame using real wood that won't warp or change dimenionally, thick slate mounted on wood base, rubber cushions that won't harden in 3 or even 10 years, micro-ground slate, etc, etc, etc. I'm not a table mechanic but you can recognize quality and good construction. Don't buy a $1900 table and expect it to last and give you consistent play over a 10 or 20 year period. I've seen Gold Crowns in excellent condition going for $1200. If your wife wants a furniture type table - look at some of the Brunswicks available on Craig's list. You're info indicates you're in the NY/AZ areas. Go to Connelly's Billiards in Phoenix or Tucson and look over their operation. Take your time and shop around. Send a PM to King Cobra here in the Table Mechanics section. He'll tell you what comprises a good table much better than I can.
 
$5000 for aesthetics

Bellhemen said:
I recently went into a couple different billiard stores looking at pool tables. I want something that plays good and my wife wants something that looks good. She's ruled out gold crowns and diamonds. So I'm stuck looking at 'other' tables. I quickly learned that I know next to nothing about pool tables. I know that I want Simonis 860, and 4.5 inch pockets with slate at least an inch thick but thats about all I guess. The sales people start going off about Brazilian slate and that it is one step below Italian slate but won't make a difference in how the balls roll or its constructed of all African hardwood or some crap. I just nod my head like a chick talking to a auto mechanic. I've learned to look under the tables and sure table A has more bracing than table B. But are there some guidelines to go by?

One salesperson told me Olhausen is all but Bankrupt, and Brunswick (I think) sold a part of there company to some shuffleboard company. Should this be a concern? I don't want to have issues in the future obtaining parts.

What else do I need to know before I drop 5 grand on a table?
Click to expand...

I bought an antique Brunswick with a $4700 appraisal for $700 because it needed to be refinished. Makes no difference, I don't play on the sides & legs. Its in the basement.

I knew I had the right woman, when she had no problem with my getting her engagement ring in a pawn shop. Saved a bundle. Our wedding cost less than $1000.
 
Bellhemen said:
So I'll stick with a big name brand. Thats what I was thinking anyway. But I'm still at a loss as to what or why they are better than some of the smaller tables brands. I wonder if some of the price is paying for brand name recognition. Some of these salesmen point out other tables I've never heard of for 1900 bucks and say they are good tables.
Click to expand...

That's why they're called salesman and yes - part of what you're paying for is the brand name.
If you go after a table made of solid woods (no particle board) with a stout frame, interlocking slate supports,
solid joint connections, maple subrails and 1" Italian or Brazilian slate you'll be in good shape.

To comment on your original post -
Brunswick owned Valley (bar box tables) and sold that line to American Shuffleboard.
FWIW - on standard pool tables of the modern era there's really not much that can go wrong
so parts availability in the future should not be a real concern.
 
Last edited:
thick level slate 1" minimum

tight cloth

all the rails bounce the same

the pockets are all cut the same and measure the same on all four corners

both side pockets are cut and measure the same

the rest of it doesn't really matter as long as it doesn't get in the way..

let her pick something she likes the looks of and pick a table mech. you trust to make sure the above points are covered to your satisfaction...

and you are good to go
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top