Billiards

Choose a pool table — slate, cloth, size, and the accessories that matter.

Pool table with green felt, billiard balls racked, and two cues, product photograph

A pool table is a major furniture purchase. The slate vs non-slate decision, size to match your room, and cloth type set the long-term playability of the table. This page covers those core decisions, plus what to look for in cues and balls when setting up a home room.

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Guides

Practical billiards buying content — slate vs MDF construction, table sizing for rooms, worsted vs woolen cloth, rail response, and cue weight selection.

GuideYour stroke is the equipment; the cue is jewelryBeginners believe a better cue will make them a better player. Watch a good player run a rack with a battered house cue and the illusion dies. Here's what th… Buying guide How to choose a pool table: slate, cloth, size, cues, and balls Slate vs MDF playing surfaces, 7/8/9 ft room requirements, worsted vs woolen cloth for speed and durability, rail cushion compounds, cue weight and tip hardness, and what ball quality means.

Why this page exists

Pool table content online is dominated by either enthusiast forums arguing brand loyalty, or retailer content that glosses over the non-slate vs slate distinction and what it actually means for playability. A non-slate table that is level today may not be level in two years — and that is a detail with real consequences for the quality of play.

The room-size question is where most buyers make mistakes: a 9-foot table in a 15×12 room leaves insufficient cue clearance on at least two sides. Getting the size right before purchase prevents regret.

Plain note about money. Links below go to eBay searches with an affiliate tag. If you buy through one, a small commission comes to this site. Your price is identical either way. The searches are ones we'd actually run — not sponsored placements.

Billiards equipment worth searching on eBay

Tables, cue sets, billiard balls, and replacement felt. We earn a small commission on qualifying sales; your price is unchanged. Full disclosure.

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Renegade BG2404PG 54-In Slate Bumper Pool Table for Family Game Rooms Green Felt Pool table slate Slate-bed tables use quarried stone playing surfaces — dimensionally stable, flat over decades, and the standard for all serious billiards play. 3/4 inch and 1 inch slate are the most common thicknesses; 1 inch is the tournament standard. View on eBay → Leather Pool Table Cover,7ft/8ft/9ft Billiard Table Cover,Black/Brown Pool table 8ft 8-foot tables (44×88 inch playing surface) are the most common home table size. Require a room of at least 13.5×17 feet for comfortable cue clearance with a 58-inch house cue. The best balance of play quality and room compatibility. View on eBay → SET OF 4 POOL CUES 57" Two-Piece Billiard House Pool Cue Stick ~ FREE SHIP Pool cue set Home room cue sets typically include 4–8 cues, a rack, and chalk. Look for 2-piece cues (easier storage and transport) in 18–21 oz range. Tip diameter of 12–13mm is standard for pool; tips should be mushroom-free and properly shaped. View on eBay → 2-1/4" Billiard Balls Set 16 Piece Deluxe Games Pool Table Balls Standard Size Billiard balls Phenolic resin balls (Aramith is the benchmark brand) maintain roundness and weight tolerance far longer than polyester balls. The difference in ball life — and therefore playing surface preservation — is meaningful for heavy home use. View on eBay → New Worsted Pool Table Cloth 8ft Table - Fast Billiard Felt w/ PRE-CUT RAILS Pool table felt Replacement cloth sold by the yard or as a full table kit. Worsted (woven) cloth plays faster and wears longer than standard woolen felt; it is the tournament standard. Nap direction affects ball roll predictability. View on eBay →
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