Replacing Pool Table Cushions? Top Answer Update

Pool table refelting costs on average between $282 and $434, depending on the size of the table. Felt replacement includes the pool cloth, removing the staples, attaching the felt and leveling. Add $60-$180 if you’re also replacing the bumpers at the same time, and $200 more to disassemble, move, and reassemble.

Pool table felt comes in a variety of grades, ranging in average from $130 to $335. Labor costs average $125, with extended pool table installations costing up to $280. If you’re not sure what repairs you need, a standard service call and retune will cost around $95. Voting will also help you determine if you have a 1 or 3 piece slate pool table.

Refelt Pool Table Cost National Average Cost $366 Minimum Cost $255 Maximum Cost $590 Average Range $282 to $434

Most pool table repair services will have a brochure or online listing of the benefits of each and the variety of colors offered. Moving your pool table will remove the felt anyway, so this is an excellent time to re-felt it. After the restoration, they also check the height of the pool table and readjust it to make sure it’s perfectly flat.

Table of Contents

Pool table felt replacement costs

The average felt replacement for a 7 foot pool table costs $265 to $450, while refelting an 8 foot pool table costs $270 to $500. Prices depend on the quality of the fabric, with a difference of around $10 to $50 per additional foot of table length.

Pool Table Felt Replacement Cost Size Good Better Best 7 foot table $265 $350 $450 8 foot table $270 $360 $500 9 foot table $280 $375 $550

Installation of pool table felt

There are several types of billiard tablecloths ranging in price from $130 for Teflon felt to $335 for a quality worsted cloth. The felt you choose should relate to the quality of your pool table; However, it is never recommended to go with the cheapest. A high-quality pool table felt lasts about 10 years with proper care.

Pool Table Felt Installation Felt Type Fabric Cost Labor Cost Total Cost 8FT Championship Invitational Teflon Felt (Cloth) $130 $125 $255 8FT Proline 303 Teflon Felt (Cloth) $160 $125 $285 8FT Proline 404 Felt (Cloth) 165 $125 $290 $8FT ProForm Felt (cloth) 215 $125 $340 $Simonis 860 Felt (worsted) 315 $125 $440 $8FT Simonis 760 Felt (cloth) 315 $125 $440 $Simonis 860HR Felt (worsted) 335 $125$460$

Pool table felt repair

Pool table felt repair is not a billiards service offered by many pool table manufacturers as it is quicker and less expensive to replace the felt. Felt repair can be tricky because you want to keep the fabric perfectly smooth and the damage may have gone deeper than just the felt. However,

You can buy some self-adhesive felt patches on Amazon for $7.95. They can cover the crack, but the balls might roll across it unevenly.

. They can cover the crack, but the balls might roll across it unevenly. If the hole is small enough, put a dot over it (even if it means the dot is in the wrong place).

If you’re dexterous with a needle and thread, use a curved needle to mend the tear. Then steam with a hot steam iron.

Custom pool table felt replacement

You can order a custom pool table felt bearing your artwork or company logo to add to your game room. Felt for a 7 foot or 8 foot table costs around $550 and for a 9 foot table around $600. Of course, the price varies depending on the quality, number of colors and size of the finished artwork.

Replace the felt on the coin operated pool table

The cost of replacing the felt on a coin-operated pool table is about the same as replacing the felt on a non-coin-operated table, averaging about $380 within a range of $295 to $595. It may have to be felted more often, since coin-operated billiard tables are usually in public places and are heavily used.

Felting of pool table bumpers

Refelting pool table bumpers costs $60 to $180 in addition to the price of refelting the table itself. When you reseam the table, you usually reseam the bumpers at the same time, since you’ve already disassembled everything.

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Pool table recovering costs

Pool table restoration costs range from $195 to $695 depending on what needs to be fixed e.g.

Pool Table Replacement Cost Service Average Cost Service & Tuning $60 – $195 Relocation & Assembly $295 – $395 Refelting & Salvage $265 – $550 Shock Absorbers $60 – $180 Replacing Rails $280 – $450 Dismantling $195 – $245 Installation $240 – $360 Leveling 240 – $360 post processing $295 – $395

Restore pool table packages

During a standard pool table restoration, a professional will strip away the existing fabric, remove old glue or staples for a smooth playing surface, and smooth out any chips in the slate surface.

Pool Table Recovery Packages Package Average Cost Used Table Assembly $245 – $295 Used Table Assembly + Refelt $395 – $495 Refelt + Tune-up $280 – $400 Refelt + Tune-up + Rail Replacement $495 – $695 Move + Reassemble + Refelt $495 – $695

Replacing the pool table rail

Replacing the pool table rail costs $280 to $450. Replacing the rails must be done correctly or the balls will bounce off the rails at odd angles and make play difficult. Restoring the pool table rails is usually included in the price to re-felt the table.

Price examples for rails and accessories without assembly are:

Valley Pool Table Rails – $200 – $320, uncovered or covered

uncovered or covered precut rail blanks – $105 for 6 pieces in K55 profile

for 6 pieces in K55 Profile Rail Feather Strips $16 for one x wood 4′ length – ¼” x ¼”, $25 for 6

Replace pool table bumper

Replacing a pool table bumper costs $50 to $90. Padding trim is added to the ends of the rail rubbers and rail. On a good quality pool table, bumpers should last 10 to 20 years. Buy rail grommets for $44-$54 for six, pad trims for $5-$10 for a dozen, and bumper grommets for $12 for a dozen.

Cost to level a pool table

If your pool table has a problem and needs leveling, it’s $80 an hour to have a technician come to your home, with a $60-$95 service call out fee. Leveling a pool table is usually done at the time of setup or installation for $240-$360. Setup includes full assembly of your table, leveling and felting of the table.

Cost of refinishing a pool table

The cost of refinishing a pool table is $295-$395, including replacing the cloth on the top and rails. After that you will receive a comprehensive tuning to keep your pool table in top condition. Most companies do the following:

Disassemble the pool table Check and adjust the table height using the legs. Adjust the slate to level the surface. Reseal the slate seams. Install the new cloth. Assemble the pool table

Snooker Table Recovery Cost

The average cost of restoring a snooker table ranges from $373 to $520, depending on the quality of the felt.

12 foot snooker table Cost recovery Fabric quality Average cost Good $373 Better $500 Best $520

Pool tables and snooker tables look pretty much the same, with pockets in each of the four corners and a center pocket on each of the long sides. The bigger differences are in the sizes. Pool tables come in three different sizes of 7′, 8′ and 9′ along the longest side.

The 7-foot table is called a bar table,

The 8′ is referred to as the home table and

The 9′ table is a professional or tournament table.

In contrast, snooker tables are 12 feet long at their longest edge and are commonly found in the UK, while pool tables are more commonly found in the US, with the exception of British pubs.

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Billiard table cost factors for re-felting

There are a few things that affect the cost of refelting your pool table, namely the type of cloth you choose and who you hire for it. As with anything, you can go easy and save money, or you can go all out and have a professional pool table.

The larger the table, the more felt is needed and the longer it takes to install. A professional pool table is 9 feet long, while most domestic slate pool tables are 7 feet or 8 feet long.

Cost of moving a pool table

The cost of moving a pool table will vary with the length of the move and the number of flights of stairs the pool table must be moved up or down. If the pool table moves it must be disassembled, therefore all prices include disassembly, reassembly and leveling.

Cost of Moving a Pool Table Service Average Cost to Move Pool Table Inside Home $295 – $395 Move Pool Table & Refelt $495 – $595

Assembly and disassembly of billiard tables

Move a pool table into your house: $295-$395. This price does not include new felt; You will reuse the old felt.

to This price does not include new felt; You will reuse the old felt. Move a pool table into your home and feel like this: $495-$595. This price includes all of the above plus new felt in the color of your choice.

This price includes all of the above plus new felt in the color of your choice. Disassemble, move, and reassemble: $395-$495. The pool table is disassembled and the individual parts are wrapped in durable moving blankets and labeled. The slate is stacked on a padded pallet. Everything is brought to the new home, reassembled and realigned. Does not include new felt.

The pool table is disassembled and the individual parts are wrapped in durable moving blankets and labeled. The slate is stacked on a padded pallet. Everything is brought to the new home, reassembled and realigned. Does not include new felt. Disassemble, move, reassemble, and re-felt: $595-$695. This price includes all of the above plus new felt in the color of your choice.

time and travel expenses

Generally, if you live within the city limits, having the technician drive to your home is free. As soon as you leave the service area, charges apply.

$25 for homes 10 miles away

for homes 10 miles away $50 for homes 20 miles away

for homes 20 miles away $75 for homes 30 miles away

certification and insurance

The company moving your pool table should be insured with a list of covered services on their website and invoices. A pool table weighs between 700 and 1,100 pounds and can cause significant damage to your home or a person if dropped. American billiard companies and installers can be certified by the leading manufacturer brands such as Brunswick and Diamond.

Installing pool tables can be complicated and the company should be experienced to get the best results. Moving your pool table is a very technical process and if a pool table mover damages your home or the felt on the table, you will have to let his/her company pay for the replacement and repair costs.

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Pool tablecloth prices

Average pool tablecloth prices range from $130 to $335. Prices range from $97 for a 7-foot table with Teflon cloth to $1,190 for a 9-foot table with NCAA professional felt.

Pool Tablecloth Pricing Brand Cloth Type # Colors Size & Price Championship Invitational Cloth with Teflon 21 oz. felt

75% wool

25% Nylon 14 7′ – $97

8′ – $114

9′ – $139 Simonis 860 Cloth 27 oz. felt

90% wool

10% Nylon 9 7′ – $250

8′ – $310

9′ – $360 Simonis 860HR Worsted Fabric

70% wool

30% Nylon 2 7′ – $265

8′ – $330

9′ – $460 Wave7 NCAA Professional Grade Pool Table Felt Worsted

70% merino wool

30% Nylon 40 7′ – $899

8 minutes – $1,055

9 minutes – $1,190

wool cloth

Woolen fabric is the most common type of fabric for home pool tables and is often referred to as felt. It is a heavy fabric and contains 60% or more wool. It’s a heavy, thick cloth and the balls roll on it quite slowly.

worsted

Worsted is typically used in professional tournaments. This shawl has a distinctive weave and is made from the finest wool – merino wool. Worsted yarn costs much more than woolen fabric, and balls roll much faster on this cloth.

What Are the Different Types of Pool Felt?

Pool felt comes in two types – napped and worsted. There are many different brands of pool table felt, but each brand falls into one of two types.

Napped: This is the standard pool felt you get on home pool tables, bar pool tables, or coin-operated pool tables. It is inexpensive and the ideal cloth for a table. It has a nap, which means it has a sense of direction – if you run your hand over it, you’ll see the path your hand left. Because of this nap, the ball moves slower on this cloth.

This is the standard pool felt you get on home pool tables, pool tables in a bar, or coin operated pool tables. It is inexpensive and the ideal cloth for a table. It has a nap, which means it has a sense of direction – if you run your hand over it, you’ll see the path your hand left. Because of this nap, the ball moves slower on this cloth. Worsted: This is the cloth used by professional billiard players and is more expensive. So much more expensive that it’s out of reach for most home players, and bars won’t invest in it due to the heavy use of their tables. This is a flat weave fabric and since there is no nap, the ball moves faster.

Both types of pool table felt can be treated with Teflon, which is a good option for public gaming tables or homes with young children. The Teflon beads spills and prevents them from absorbing and soiling the cloth.

What is the best pool table felt?

The best pool table felt is worsted wool felt and is found on most professional tables and rarely on home game tables. Another name for it is “speed cloth” because the balls roll quickly on it.

Colors of the billiard tablecloth

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frequently asked Questions

How long does it take to re-felt a pool table?

It takes a pro about 2 to 3 hours to re-felt a pool table. If you approach the pool table as a DIY project, it will take longer, maybe a day.

Can you move a pool table without refelting it?

You can’t move a pool table without removing the felt, but you can put the same felt back on if it’s in good condition. However, if you’ve been thinking about putting new felt on your pool table, now is a good time to do so.

How to clean pool table felt

The cloth on your pool table needs cleaning. It collects everyday dust and pollen, pet dander, and even the occasional spill. When you bought your pool table they probably gave you some instructions on how to clean the table and you may have a pool table brush to get the dirt and dust out of the crevices and corners.

How to clean pool table felt

Use the brush in straight lines (never in a circle) and then use a small plastic dustpan to sweep away the dirt. Never use a vacuum cleaner on your pool table. A vacuum can stretch the cloth and pull it out of line; This creates lines and creases that can deflect balls and ultimately ruin the game. If there are stains, use a damp white cotton cloth and blot the stain. Only use water, never soap. Soap can leave residue that attracts dirt and also deflects balls.

How much does new felt for a pool table cost?

Depending on the size of the table and the type of felt you purchase, most pool companies cost anywhere from $145 on the low end for a 7 foot table to up to $345 on the high end for a 9 foot table . You can also buy felt on Amazon. The price ranges from $65 on the low end and up to

$360 for Simonis 760 felt,

for Simonis 760 felt, $590 for 12′ Simonis 860 felt and

for 12′ Simonis 860 felt and $895 for a 9′ Custom Artscape felt with your logo centered on the table.

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Pool table maintenance

Maintaining your pool table is necessary to keep your table in good condition so that you can play it for years.

Keep your table clean by brushing it regularly and cleaning up spills quickly.

Invest in a tablecloth to prevent dust, dirt and pet hair from settling on your table.

Keep chalk away from the cloth. Chalk dust is very fine and abrasive and not suitable for the fabric on your pool table.

Keep billiard balls clean with an occasional warm water/soap bath. You can also buy cleaners made specifically for billiard balls.

Make sure your pool table isn’t just in a window that allows for daily sunlight, which can potentially damage the wood and discolor the felt.

Do everything you can to ensure your family and friends keep drinks far off the table to protect them from condensation on the outside of a container and accidental spills.

Another point to bring up with anyone who may be playing at your table is that while leaning on the table for a moment to take a shot is part of the game, sitting on the table is can cause structural integrity issues over time.

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DIY Refelt Pool Table or Hire a Service

Can you DIY and re-felt a pool table? It requires some tools and precision work, but you might enjoy it if you’re particularly good at spending a lot of time making sure things are perfect.

How hard is it to re-felt a pool table?

It’s about a 6 on a scale of 1-10. It’s more about being very precise than a difficult job. The pros have the right tools for leveling the pool table, while you may have to buy them. The most difficult part of re-felting the pool table will probably be stretching and applying the felt. It must be smooth with no creases.

How to refelt a pool table

Take off the rails. Underneath are screws/bolts that loosen them. Remove the old felt from the pool table surface. If the old felt has been glued in place, scrape off the old glue, making sure the surface is smooth and clean. Seal the seams with beeswax. Install the new felt by either gluing or basting. However you decide to attach the new felt, it will need to be stretched slightly to allow for a smooth surface. If it’s loose, it creates ridges and creases that impede the bullets’ path. Reattach the rails.

The description sounds simple, but the reality is that it’s quite a complex task. A professional needs 2 – 3 hours for this. So if you’ve never done it before, expect it to take all day.

Pool Table Felt Kits

A pool table felt kit can be purchased for $230 and includes everything you need to replace the cloth on your 7 foot pool table. For 8′ add about $25 and for 9′ add $45. The kit usually includes:

Rail cushion of your choice

Set of upholstery end panels

spray glue

contact rail cement

Cement for slate joints

stains

Matching color chalk

DVD with complete instructions on setting up and restoring the pool table

Get Free Estimates on HomeGuide from Trusted Pool Table Refelting Services:

Get Free Estimates

Like any other sport, take basketball or football for example, even if the talent is not the same, the playing field is the same. In basketball, no matter where the two teams play, the court is 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. In football, opposing teams know they are fighting on a field that is exactly 100 yards long and 53 1/3 yards wide. In any case, players know that they will be playing on a pitch or field without irregularities and without surprises. The same cannot always be said for the game of billiards.

When a pool table is not properly cared for, there can and will be many irregularities and surprises. These insecurities surely make for an annoying and frustrating game without any pleasure.

5 ways to test your pool table for damage

From time to time you may need to have the felt surface of your pool table repaired or replaced. While that’s true, you should almost never need to replace your table’s rail pads.

With proper use and care, a pool table’s rail pad rubber has a lifespan of 25-50 years. This lifespan will be greatly reduced if your table is used improperly, exposed to extremes of temperature or humidity, or stored improperly.

Extreme heat, cold or humidity can cause your table’s rail rubber to become brittle or very hard. Here are five tests you can run to determine if your pool table has suffered significant rail rubber damage:

Listen – Shoot a ball in each track. The ball should rebound at a moderate to high speed, but most importantly, you should be able to hear the exact same sound as you walk around the table. Squeeze – Using the pressure of your fingers, systematically walk around the table and squeeze the rail pads of your table. You should be able to squeeze the pillow a moderate distance between 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch. Feel – Run your hands with your fingers around and under the table rails where the edges hang over the table’s playing surface. You feel for worn grooves and tracks under the felt. If you find any, it is an indication of worn cushions. This type of wear causes the rails to “bounce” less. Spin – Shoot a ball straight into each rail with high speed and moderate topspin. If the ball bounces more than 1 inch, the rail pads likely need to be replaced. Rebound – Slowly roll a ball up each rail and watch the reaction. If the ball comes to a standstill, your rails are worn and need to be replaced. If, on the other hand, the ball bounces back into the field, everything is fine. Also note the rebound angles. If the rebound matches the angle of incidence, you’re in good shape.

4 must-have pool table accessories for proper table maintenance

Pool Table Cover – Always cover your table after use, no exceptions. Horse Hair Brush – You might be tempted to buy a synthetic bristle brush, but horse hair is much softer and gentler on the table felt. Vacuum – Use a low-suction vacuum to remove dirt from the table surface. Soft towels – Dirty balls cause excessive wear on the playing surface. Use hot water and a soft towel to clean them every few games.

With these tips, you can enjoy your table for many years to come.

New pool cloth not only looks immaculate, it plays like a dream too. The balls roll as if on glass. Hopefully they’re headed for a pocket, but that’s up to you. If your table is overdue for a restoration, you’re in luck: we have some great options to make your table look and play great again.

There are very few things that compare to a game of billiards on a table with a fresh new cloth. At least, that’s what we believe here at PoolDawg, and that’s why we only stock towels from the most trusted brands in the business. Admittedly we are biased, but believe that the real rolling of a pool ball across a new pool tablecloth inspires passion, just like the first tracks on a powder snow day, water skiing on a perfectly calm lake or skating on freshly Zambonied ice. Oh, and it’s like shuffling through a stack of crispy hundred dollar bills. (We also love crisp hundred dollar bills.)

What you need to consider when buying billiard tablecloths

Pool tablecloth – sometimes called “pool table felt” – is made from a combination of wool and usually nylon. Worsted is the best fabric and is not actually “felted” – the wool goes through a spinning process that eliminates the blur on the surface. Simonis makes a high quality worsted yarn and the Championship Tour Edition cloth also stands out and is also a tournament quality cloth.

A good pool tablecloth will increase your passion for the game. The Simonis 860 for example offers the best control and is used in almost all professional events, while the Simonis 760 is the fastest rubber. The 860HR is a hybrid of both. Among the cheaper options, the Championship Invitational is durable and a relatively fast cloth. The Mercury Ultra is also fast.

A tip: to make your shawl last longer, use high-quality balls that leave fewer burn marks from the friction of the spinning balls.

Installation of your pool tablecloth

We’re still awaiting the technology to design a cover that installs itself, but no cubes yet. In the meantime, here are some basics:

• The fabric is usually supplied in one piece – enough to cover the bed and railings

• You will need to cut six 6″ strips (or we can do that for you if you use our $10 rail cutting service)

• Rails are pre-cut with Championship Invitational cloth

• There is a difference between above and below

• The bodice has clear, distinctive stitching; the ground may be blurred

• We have a DIY pool table felt installation guide to save you hundreds of dollars if you do it yourself

• To find a local installer, do an online search for “pool table services” and include your city and state

Get a real roll with PoolDawg

Whether you call it pool tablecloth or felt, it’s the quality of the material that will have a drastic impact on your game. Fortunately, we offer fabrics from the industry’s leading manufacturers: Simonis and Championship.

When it’s time for a pool table felt replacement, remember the basics: worsted is better than “felt” for the pool table; different types offer better control or more speed; and most importantly, at PoolDawg we are always ready to help you choose your billiard felt or worsted and to answer all your questions. Contact us today.

So how do you choose the right pool table felt color?

Avoid black or colors that are too dark. Don’t go too bright if you have bright lights. Consider the decor of your room and the table. Consider your preferences. Visit a showroom to get a better feel for specific colors

If you keep these five tips in mind when choosing the best felt color for your table, you shouldn’t run into any problems. Read on to learn more about each tip and why it’s important.

Choosing the right table felt color

For the most part, the color of the felt on a pool table isn’t going to make much of a difference in how you play the game, but if you want your pool table to look good in the space you have for it, then felt color makes a big difference .

We’ve put together this list of tips to help you make the best choice when purchasing new felt for your pool table.

Tip #1: Avoid black or dark colors

Black felt on a pool table undoubtedly looks fantastic. It’s sleek and edgy, but it’s not a good color to play with. Here’s why:

Creates super dark shadows

The 8-ball art disappears on it

The bag disappears into the dark shadows, making it difficult to photograph

So if your primary concern is having a pool table that looks cool, black felt will do, but if you actually want to practice and play on the table, go for a lighter color.

Tip #2: Consider the decor of the room and table

Of course, you should consider the room you are placing the table in, as well as the color and style of the table. An ornate wooden table might look great with a dark brown cloth, while a polished dark table might look better with a muted shade of gray.

Also consider your pool table lamp. If your pool table lamp is bright green, you probably don’t want neon orange felt.

Tip #3: Don’t choose too light a felt

If you want a nice bright light over your pool table, you should avoid a table felt color that is not too light. The brightness of the light combined with the brightness of the felt can bother your eyes. Some people even report that it gives them a headache.

So if your light is bright, go for something a little more muted, go for a deep burgundy over a bright red and a jewel blue over a light blue.

Tip #4: Think about what colors you like

You don’t want to pick a color you don’t like just because you think it will look good in your space. Chances are you can find a color that goes well with your space and pool table and a color that you like.

Blue, green, and red are typical pool table felt colors, but don’t be afraid to branch out. If you don’t want to go too wild, stick with neutral tones.

Remember that the chalk you use will be less visible if it’s the same color as the felt. If you have a penchant for blue chalk, stick with blue felt. For more information on choosing billiard chalk, see our post What is the Best Billiard Chalk?

Tip #5: Visit a showroom

In showrooms you can touch samples of different felts in all available colors. You can see how they look under the lights in the showroom and then lean against different pool tables.

This should give you an idea of ​​how the felt will look in your home and on your table.

Overall, the color of the felt doesn’t play too much of a role. Just don’t go too dark or too light and you should be fine. If you need an overhaul of all your pool table accessories, you might want to check out our post 20 Different Pool Table Accessories.

An overview of billiard table parts and layout

In many of our posts on how to play popular pool games – including 8-Ball, 9-Ball, Cutthroat Pool and other fun pool games – we mention different parts of the table to explain the basic rules of each game.

So, in order to understand the rules, you should at least know what these terms mean.

Luckily, the anatomy of the pool table is fairly easy to understand.

But to make it even easier for you, we’ve prepared a basic overview of pool table anatomy, including where things are on the table and what they mean.

Now, when someone says something like “put your hands on the ball behind the headline,” at least you know what they’re talking about.

This one small billiard cue accessory will change your game. If you can only afford one tool to maintain the tip of your cue, then the Cuetec Bowtie Tip Tool is it: 3-in-1 tool to help your tip hold the chalk better. Avoid mistakes. Small enough to fit in your pocket.

Pool Table Anatomy 101

Parts of the pool table defined

apex of the triangle

This is the top of the rack. In some games you need to place a specific ball on top (e.g. the 1 ball in a 9 ball game) and line it up with the foot spot.

middle string

The center cord runs between the two side pockets and intersects the midpoint (dead center of the pool table). This is an imaginary line used as a reference point.

corner pockets

There are four corner pockets on a pool table. Become familiar with these as you begin to designate your shots (e.g., 5-ball, right corner).

The opening of a corner pocket (aka “mouth”) should be a minimum of 4 ⅞ inches and a maximum of 5 ⅛ inches. The entry angle of a corner pocket is 142° (± 1°).

pillow

The cushion is the felt covered rubber inside of the rails on the pool table. For example, you can hear that balls have to be driven off the boards during a break. Cushion is often used interchangeably with the terms “rail” or “bench”.

Diamonds (aka Landmarks)

The diamonds on the table rails serve as references or target points. These inlaid marks are spaced along the short rails (ends of the table) in one-fourth increments and along the long rails (side rails) in one-eighth increments.

For advanced players, the diamonds are used to benefit from the “diamond system”; a mathematical approach to planning multi-bank shots.

The rest of us use the diamonds to help us aim and understand where the head and foot lines are.

foot of the table

This is the end of the table where the balls are placed. They break from the top of the table to the bottom of the table.

base

The foot point is the point at the foot end of the table between the second diamonds on the long rail. It also aligns with the center diamond on the short rail.

This is the “rack end” of the table where you “spot the ball” and where you should place the top object ball when playing an 8-ball or 9-ball game.

The “foot point” is commonly mentioned in the rules and instructions for most billiard games. Now you know exactly where it is!

foot cord

The foot cord is an imaginary line between the second diamonds on the long rail at the foot of the table. It goes through the base. This is mainly used as a reference point for positioning and understanding the layout on a table.

head of the table

This is the end of the table that the shooter breaks away from. This is where the billiard table manufacturer usually puts his type plate.

head point

Opposite the foot patch is the head patch. At this point, the imaginary line of the head string intersects between the second diamond on the long rail and the middle diamond on the short rail.

head cord

The Head Strong is an imaginary line that runs at the head of the table between the second diamonds on the long rail.

The area behind the head string is where you break off and where you need to place the cue ball after a scratch in an 8-ball game, for example.

You will often see that in a game like 8-Ball, the cue ball must be “held in hand behind the head string.” It just means you can place the cue anywhere behind the second diamonds on the long rail.

If your table doesn’t have diamonds or visors, now you know that the head cord is behind the “head point” to make things easier.

playing area

The playing surface is the flat, level (hopefully) felt-covered surface on which you play billiards. The playing surface of a higher quality table consists of slate. These tables usually need to be properly installed and leveled by professionals.

Lighter and less expensive pool tables use an MDF playing surface. These don’t last as long and tend to warp, but are often good budget-friendly options.

The playing surface for a full size table should measure 50″ x 100″.

side pockets

There are two side pockets positioned in the middle of the table. The openings should be between 5 ⅜ and 5 ⅝ inches wide. The angle at a side pocket entrance is 103° (± 2°).

There you have it. A basic overview of parts of the pool table.

Understanding the anatomy of billiard tables will make it easier for you to learn how to play new games and how to hit challenging shots.

Then it’s time to tackle your next challenge: learning how to play billiards.