American Pool Tables
Pool originated in the United States, where it was played in large pool halls or in mansions where space was of no concern. American pool tables are therefore larger than the English pool tables that were downsized to fit into crowded pubs when the game was introduced in the UK in the 1960s.
American pool tables are available in 7ft, 8ft, 9ft and even 10ft lengths – some manufacturers even make 12 ft tables. When you consider that at least 5ft of free space is needed around the table for play to take place, you can see why these pool tables are only found in large homes.
Because these tables are bigger, they are played with bigger pool balls – 2 ¾ inch instead of the 2 inch balls used on English pool tables. The cues have wider tips, and are often longer and thicker to assist players to cover the longer distances on these large tables. The pockets are of course bigger to accommodate the bigger balls, and the cushioning system differs as well.
American pool is traditionally played with balls marked with stripes and spots, with the eight ball being a plain black ball. Nowadays the different varieties are mixed, so you can play with American pool balls on an English pool table, and the traditional English pool games of eight or nine ball on an American pool table.
If you have sufficient space for American pool table, it will certainly provide a challenging and entertaining game. Most American pool tables are too large for children to play on as they struggle with the distances they have to hit the balls. A 7ft table is recommended if you have children who would like to play, but the full size 9ft American pool table is likely to be a bit of struggle for kids.
A larger table not only needs more space, it also needs more lighting. Your pool table needs to be evenly lit across the entire length of the table, and with the bigger American pool tables you may find you need as many as three overhead lights.
One factor that is often overlooked when buying such a large table is whether it will fit through the entrance to your home and into the specific room you have in mind. Measure the entrance carefully to ensure you can fit your big American pool table through the door.
If you buy an American pool table with a slate bed, it is going to be extremely heavy and difficult to transport and install. You may find yourself paying additional delivery charges because of this. Some American pool tables have three sections to the slate bed, making it easier to move around. These will be carefully put together on site – and you will need this done by the professional installation crew to make sure the table bed is perfectly straight and even.
Adjusting to American Pool Tables
You will find that adjusting to the bigger table if you have previously played on small pool tables will take time. You will need to adjust your stroke to cover greater distances, and those distances are less forgiving when it comes to angled shots. A full size American pool table is 9ft long and 4 ½ foot wide – a challenging and entertaining feature in any home.
