If you are looking for a regulation-size pool table for your home, you may be wondering what size you should purchase. As you may have noticed when browsing pool tables, they come in different sizes.
They are available in different sizes to help you find the right size pool table that will fit into the playing space in the room in your home. However, aside from seeing 7-foot, 8-foot, and 9-foot tables, you may have seen the terms regulation pool tables, standard size pool tables, and tournament pool tables. These terms can further make it confusing to know which size is best for your gaming needs.
Once you understand the differences and how the terms are used, it will help you decide what size pool table is best for you and your home.
What Is a Regulation Pool Table?
A regulation table is simply a term used to describe pool tables with a length that is precisely twice as long as the width. So, for example, an 8-foot pool table would be 8 feet long and 4 feet wide, or 96 inches long x 48 inches wide.
As long as the table satisfies this requirement, it is considered a regulation size pool table. So, it does not matter if the table is a 7-foot, 8-foot, 9-foot, or custom-built table, as long as the length is twice the width.
Another defining feature of regulation pool tables is the surface playing area will also adhere to the length of the playing area—this being twice as long as the width of the playing area.
What Is a Standard Size Pool Table?
A standard pool table size refers to the common sizes of pool and billiard tables that include 7-foot, 8-foot, and 9-foot tables. Frequently, standard size tables are also regulation tables. However, they could include custom-built tables that do not follow the regulation requirements.
What Are the Different Types of Regulation Tables?
There are several different types of regulation size tables that are known by different names as follows:
Bar Box or Bar Pool Tables
A bar box or bar-size pool table is the type of table you commonly find in bars and pool halls. These pool table dimensions are 7 feet long and 3.5 feet wide, with a playing area of 78 inches x 39 inches.
Standard Home Pool Tables
Standard home pool tables are usually 8-foot tables that are 4 feet wide and have an 88-inch x 44-inch playing surface area. This size billiards table is also the most popular size people buy for use in their homes.
8-Foot-Plus Pro Pool Tables
This size table is designed for residential use when the room size is not sufficient for a tournament table. This is for the person who wants a larger playing area closer to tournament size. 8-foot-plus pro tables have a playing area that is 92 inches long and 46 inches wide.
Tournament Pool Tables
Tournament-size tables are regulation pool tables used for tournament and professional play. They are 9 feet long and 4.5 feet wide, with a playing area of 100 inches x 50 inches.
Oversized Pool Tables
An oversized pool table is a larger table that some people purchase as a statement piece for their at-home game rooms. This 10-foot table provides a playing area of 112 inches x 56 inches.
Snooker Tables
Regulation snooker tables are 12-foot pool tables to provide sufficient space to set up all the balls used to play snooker. The playing area is 140 inches x 70 inches.
While each of these pool tables are different sizes, they are still regulation tables because their lengths are twice as long as their widths.
What Size Pool Table Is Best for My Home?
To determine what size pool table is best for your home, you need to know the room size where you want to install the pool table. However, you will need to subtract furniture from the total room size and only account for the open space in the room.
In general, to choose a pool table that fits the space, convert the open space into inches. Next, take the size of the pool table in inches and add 58 inches to both the length and width of the table. This is to accommodate for cue length. Last, add another 6 inches to the length and width to account for movement space needed to move the pool cue to hit the cue ball. This is to avoid hitting the walls or other objects in the room.
For example, if you have a room that is 16 feet x 20 feet (192 inches x 240 inches) and has an open space of 14 feet x 15 feet (168 inches x 180 inches), you already know that a 9-foot table will not fit.
However, an 8-foot table would fit easily into the space: 96 inches + 58 inches + 6 inches = 160 inches for the length and 48 inches + 58 inches + 6 inches = 112 for the width.
In cases where you have a smaller room, a 7-foot table or smaller table that is 6 feet long could be best.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Regulation Pool Table
When purchasing a regulation pool table, it's important to avoid common mistakes. Especially ones that could affect your enjoyment and the functionality of the table.
Here are some key pitfalls to watch out for:
- Not measuring the room properly
- Choosing the wrong table size
- Overlooking table construction and materials
- Ignoring the need for professional installation
- Forgetting about additional costs
- Neglecting to consider long-term use
By keeping these common mistakes in mind, you can make a more informed decision. This allows you to choose a regulation-size pool table that will provide you with years of enjoyment.
Handcrafted Regulation Pool Tables for Your Home
If you are looking for one of the best selections of regulation pool tables for your home, check out the handcrafted pool tables available from Blatt Billiards. We can also custom-design and build a pool table with the features and options you desire.
For further information about our world’s finest handcrafted pool tables or to custom-design one for your home, please feel free to contact us at 212-674-8855 today!
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