Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to move the pool table yourself, you should consider having us disassemble your table and consult with you on the moving process; however, we are happy to advise you whether you want us to disassemble the table or not. Pool table slate weighs about 600 pounds and can be very difficult to move and expensive to replace should any damage occur, so we always recommend having a professional handle your table. Please fill out our Service Request form and we will contact you to discuss.

Moving companies require that your table be professionally disassembled and crated – reputable companies will not handle it otherwise

We are typically booked out 1-2 weeks, though this varies by season, and we will work something out for last-minute jobs if at all possible.

This process requires stripping the old rail rubber, sanding the old glue off the wood, gluing the new cushions on, and letting them cure for 24 hours before we proceed. We generally bring the rails back to the shop to replace the cushions, and it can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week to complete the job and get the rails back on your table, depending on time constraints. Please Contact Us to discuss your specific situation.

Cushion rubber is an integral part of the pool table as it provides the rebound of the ball off the rail. There is a designated height that the cushion rubber should be from the playing surface, which is determined by the profile of the rail and the rubber. It is applied with contact glue and cut to match the opening of the pocket accordingly. Each cushion should have the same amount of play in it and they should be checked all the way around the table. If there are any hard spots, then the whole set needs to be replaced. Some cushion rubber will become soft and spongy over time and will have a memory foam effect – this is also a sign of necessary replacement. When replacing cushions, the felt must also be replaced – something to keep in mind when looking at used tables, as this can drive up the cost of that “great used deal” considerably. We check the cushions on each used table we purchase and sell, and replace them if necessary, so the table will be in excellent playing condition for its new owners!

Excluding travel time, we average about 3 hours total to disassemble and reassemble most pool tables. Add about an hour for refelting. This estimate varies based upon difficulty level and placement in the home. We ask that you plan for us to be in your home for about an hour to disassemble the table and 2-3 hours for reassembly. Antique and specialty tables can require an additional 2-4 hours.

Standard felt replacement with Championship Invitational blended wool fabric is what we include in estimates for recreational players. There is a small additional fee for Titan Brite colors, but any other color is the same cost. If you’d like to upgrade to a worsted-wool fabric, let us know and we can discuss the cost with you.

We stock three different brands of pool table cloth – Championship Invitational w/ Teflon, Hainsworth Elite Pro, and Simonis. You can view available colors here. Please keep in mind that monitor settings vary from computer to computer, causing some shades to appear lighter or darker. We highly recommend that you choose your felt in-person at one of our stores if at all possible.

Each move is priced individually based on difficulty and distance. Just to give you an idea, our moving charges typically start around $400 to move an 8′ pool table locally from one residence to another. This price can vary based on your unique situation. We can usually get you an estimate within a few hours if you send us information about your table and where it’s moving from and to.

All of our new pool tables come with a full lifetime warranty against structural defects. We provide a 90-day warranty on our preowned pool tables. Again, if you have a legitimate concern, we will do anything within reason to make it right. Felt is not guaranteed, although if there is any defect upon installation, we will obviously bring out a new piece!

We want our customers to be happy! We guarantee our pool table service for 90 days after the date of service. This warranty is void if someone stands or sits on the pool table, or tries to move it in any way! If you have a legitimate concern, we will do anything within reason to make it right.

We sell a spray cleaner and microfiber cloth ($20) that works extremely well to clean felt. This cleaner attracts dust and dirt and will not only make your felt look new but will also prolong its life. Otherwise, we recommend brushing the felt in one direction. I usually tell folks to brush from the head of the table to the foot (direction of break). Vacuums are not recommended, though a lint roller can work well to clean darker felts.

The best protection for your pool table is a heavy-duty cover, which can be purchased at our store, online, or from a technician at installation. This will protect your table from dust, animals, and sunlight. Sunlight is damaging to the finish and rubber cushions and will discolor the felt. Keep in mind that anything you put on the top rails (furniture polish) can leave a residue that will likely get transferred to the felt through players’ hands. Furthermore, you don’t want to put conditioner on the leather pockets as it will transfer from the balls to the felt.

Most pool tables are made to be disassembled before moving. There are very few exceptions to this rule. If you attempt to move your pool table in any way, the warranty is void and you could possibly cause the table to collapse or damage pieces of the table that may be irreplaceable. At the very least, moving the table will generally require releveling. We have specialty tools to help us slide tables as necessary, and we are happy to give you a quote for our pool table service.

Pool tables are made for playing pool, not sitting on. Pull up a chair if you want to sit down! This can cause the seams to pop loose or the cushions to fall off the rail (weight is usually applied directly down on the cushion where it is seated on the rail).

Many times, people will use their pool table to hang lights or change light bulbs. This is never ok! Most pool tables are 3-piece slate, and while very heavy and sturdy, if too much weight is applied to the playing surface, the slate seams (where the pieces meet up) can pop loose and create a ridge or bump under the felt. This will require releveling of the table.

Please view our Buying Used section for a bulleted list of components that make up a pool table for more information about what to look out for. We also buy and sell used tables – check out our preowned tables for current stock. We are also happy to consult with you on any used tables you find on your own or assist you with any moves or services you might need.

If you have hardwood floors, tile, or concrete and would like to place a rug under the table, it’s personal preference. Rugs can be beneficial in dulling the echo of the balls rolling across the table or just in dressing up the look of the room. I would not recommend putting a rug on top of a carpeted floor; they tend to bunch up around the table. We ask that if you want to put a rug under your table that you have it in place before we arrive, and we will help you adjust it if necessary.

There are a lot of inexpensive, non-slate tables sold – they are often marketed as slatron or perma-slate (essentially, mdf that is designed to look like slate). Slate is the best playing surface for a pool table, due to its weight and durability. A premium-quality slate table will be diamond-honed and machine-cut to meet specifications for true flatness. You can take a look underneath your table to determine the playfield, but if you’re still not sure, we should be able to help you determine the answer with pictures or the manufacturer’s name.

A lot of people ask us about “regulation” size tables. Tournament pool is played on different sizes, depending on the body governing the event. When you watch the pros on TV playing pool, they are usually playing on a 9′ table, but there are also tournaments played on 7′ and 8′ pool tables. Most people put 8′ tables in their home; however, it’s really up to you to decide what you want. Our experience is that it’s rare to find the space for a 9′ table in a residential area and 8′ is by far the most common. Typically, serious league or tournament players want to purchase a 9′ table to hone their skills and practice, but the most important questions to ask are what you can afford and how much space you have.

Most of our customers are looking for an 8′ table for their home; you need about 13’6″ x 17′ to accommodate an 8′ table. See the Room Requirements Page for more details and a graphic.

Measure the playing surface of the pool table from bumper to bumper (only where the ball can actually roll). See the Room Requirements Page for more details and a graphic.