Home > Learning Center > Billiard Tables

Billiard Tables

The only way to play pool is on billiard tables. They can range in size from 5 feet to nine feet and even larger, but the only tables suitable for eight and nine ball tournament play are eight and nine foot tables. They typically have a green felt surface that is adhered to perfectly flat slate. Some early tables, notably Louis XI of France’s table, had actual grass on top of the table.

Billiard tables have raised edges with rubber bumpers on them to prevent the balls from falling off the table and allow them to rebound off the walls for angled shots. They are now made from high quality rubber, but leather was typically used in the past. There are also marks on the sides that are evenly spaced and used to calculate angles for making shots. There are many variations, some without any pockets at all.

There is a myth about billiard tables originating as divination tools. A magician would use the pool cue, or magic wand, to break apart a series of balls. Depending on where the balls rested predictions could be made about any number of things. The use of the cue stick as a solar marker on the playing surface may have had something to do with it as well.  

 

Billiard Balls | Billiard Tables | Learning Center | Site Map | Links | Contact | Home

©