bring it to the table

The billiards table evolved in the late 1400s because it was discovered that it was difficult for players’ backs to use the floor as a playing field. When the game rose to table height, of course, the balls rolled off the table and hit the floor. It was thought that wooden sides could be attached to keep the balls in play. Over time, in the 1600s, rubber was added to the side rails, giving more cushioning and bounce when the ball hit the rails. Pool tables became very popular in pubs and taverns in France.

Early pool tables had no pockets and a hole in the center of the table. There was no specific size for the tables. Eventually, the size of the table changed to oblong, usually being twice as long as it was wide. Tournament pool tables must be at least 1″ thick slate. Non-tournament tables may be less than 1″ slate or may be made of medium-density fiberboard and synthetic materials. A regulation size table in the United States is 9′ x 4.5′.

The pool table bed was made from slate in the 1800s and was made for a much smoother surface. In 1845, John Thurston patented his idea for a slate bed and rubberized cork and leather rails. The green cloth on top of the blackboard was added later. Today, there are several options for the color of the cloth on billiard tables.

The tables were marked with diamonds on the rails to help players hit bank or kick shots. Each long rail has six diamonds and the short rail has three diamonds, thus dividing the bed into equal squares. Points are also placed on the table to easily identify where to place the balls.

The pockets of a pool table are holes made in the base of the table and part of the cushions. They have sharp corners. There are other types of tables, that is, pool tables that are a different size than a standard pool table. A pool table measures 12′ x 6′ or 10′ x 5′ and has six pockets that are rounded or smaller in size than a regulation size pool table, making for accuracy and skill in playing pool. billiards are a definite must.

Pool tables used for specific games, i.e. Russian Pyramid, Asian Four Ball, and Bumper are available, as well as novelty tables in many shapes: hexagonal, circular, zig-zag, and round; These are typically for pocket billiards.