Pool
Pool tables at home: space, beds and buying
A pool table needs its playing area plus a full cue length on every side. Start with the room, then choose the bed and the game.
Shown for a 7ft table using planning values. Measure from obstructions, not walls, and check the maker’s stated playing area.
Plan the room
Pool table sizes: 6ft, 7ft, 8ft and 9ft compared
UK pool table sizes explained: 6ft, 7ft, 8ft and 9ft dimensions, playing areas, ball sizes, heights and the room each one needs, with a chart.
GuidePool table room size: how much space do you need?
Measure for the table and the cue, with UK pool-table dimensions, a room-size chart and practical clearance advice.
GuideGames-room lighting: pool tables, darts and table tennis
Light a pool or snooker table, a dartboard and a table tennis area evenly, without glare or shadows, with practical mounting guidance.
GuideConverting a garage into a games room
Plan the floor, damp, warmth, light, power and access before putting a games table in a garage, with a step-by-step checklist.
GuideLoft and upstairs games rooms: what to check first
Check floor strength, access, headroom and heat before putting a games table in a loft, spare bedroom or upstairs room.
ToolGames room layout planner
Plan a games room with more than one game: check whether a pool table, dartboard, table football, air hockey or table tennis fit together, with a plan.
Choose and buy
Pool tables for UK homes: a spec-based buying guide
Compare table types, sizes, bed material, cloth, pockets, delivery and installation before buying a pool table for a UK home.
Buying guideBuying a used pool table: the UK viewing checklist
Inspect a second-hand pool table before you buy: check slate or MDF, cloth, cushions and frame, plan professional transport, and calculate the real cost.
GuideSlate vs MDF pool tables: which is worth it?
Slate or MDF? Compare the weight, levelness, play, price and installation of slate and MDF pool tables, and find out which bed suits your room.
GuideEnglish vs American pool: tables, balls and rules
Understand the differences between English and American pool tables, balls, pockets and rules before buying a table for a UK home.
Buying guidePool and snooker cues: what to look for
Choose a cue by game, length, weight, tip size, wood and joint type, and know how many cues a home table really needs.
Buying guidePool and snooker table accessories: the complete checklist
A checklist of the cues, balls, rests, covers, lights and care items a home pool or snooker table needs, and what to check for each.
Set up and play
How to level a pool table
Check and level an MDF pool table step by step, understand when a slate table needs a fitter, and know when the floor is the problem.
GuideEnglish pool rules: eight-ball and blackball explained
How English eight-ball pool works: the break, choosing groups, fouls, ball in hand or two visits, and the shots that lose the frame.
GuideCue weight, length and tip size: how to choose
Compare cue weights, lengths and tip sizes for snooker, English pool and American pool, with a simple way to match a cue to the player and the table.
Look after it
Pool and snooker table care: cloth, cushions and balls
Keep a home pool or snooker table playing well with simple routines for brushing the cloth, cleaning balls, covering the table and spotting wear.
GuideCue care: straightness, warping and re-tipping
Look after a pool or snooker cue: check it is straight, store it so it does not warp, and replace a worn tip step by step.
GuideUpgrade your home pool or snooker table: what to do first
A practical order for improving how a home pool or snooker table plays, starting with free fixes and ending with re-covering and cushions.
History
Quick answers
What size room do I need for a pool table?
As a planning value, about 5.1 m × 4.0 m for a 7ft table and 4.8 m × 3.9 m for a 6ft table, with a full cue on every side. A short cue on one side saves space. Check yours with the room checker.
Should I buy an English or American pool table?
English tables are usually 6ft or 7ft, with 2-inch balls and tight pockets. American tables run from 7ft to 9ft, with 2¼-inch balls and wider pockets. Play the version your friends or league play. Our comparison explains the differences.
Is a slate pool table worth it?
If you want a bed that stays flat for years, usually yes. Slate is much heavier and costs more to deliver and install. MDF is lighter and cheaper, and suits casual play. See slate vs MDF.
Key terms
Other games: Snooker · Darts · Table tennis · Air hockey · Table football