So your looking for a 7 billiard table. You can find many styles and brands of pool tables for sale on this page.
Before you make your final decision, review my quick checklist that should help you make a solid decision and avoid any pitfalls with your purchase.
Skippy's 7 foot pool billiard table buyer's checklist...
Tip 1: Regulation size: Many people will use the term "regulation pool table" to mean 8ft. or 9ft. billiards table. This is not, necessarily, true. The term regulation just means that it meets certain standards. Mostly it means that the table has the correct proportions, meaning that the playing surface's length is twice as long as it's width. A regulation sized 7' billiards table should have a playing surface that is 38" x 76". If you're looking at an off-brand pool table, check the dimensions to make sure they are proportional.
Tip 2: Room Size: Many people don't realize how big their billiard room needs to be to comfortably fit a 7 foot pool table. A 7 ft pool table needs to have a room with 13' 8" x 16' 10" of unobstructed space. When measuring your space, be sure to leave room for chairs and/or other furniture. Also, look for obstructions like posts, window sills, doors, etc. If any furniture or obstruction fall within that 13' 8" x 16' 10", you will certainly run into some unnatural shooting positions. Also, factor in your personal playing style and your size. Taller players and/or players that tend to shoot with a wide stance might need a little more space to shoot with their normal stance.
Tip 3: Buy a slate pool table. Stay away from ANY tables that don't have a slate bed. I don't have much more to say about that. Generally, the thicker the slate, the better. Some higher-end pool tables have thicker slate.
Tip 4: Ball return system: Other than the general quality of the table and style, one of the biggest options in a pool table is the ball return system. Don't take this option lightly. There are some things to consider before buying a pool table. If you don't know, some pool tables have a built-in system to return balls back to the the foot of the table. Some pool tables don't have such a system...such pool tables have "drop-pockets", which simply means that the ball stays in the pocket. These pockets are usually made of leather or plastic. I'll layout some pros and cons for you to help you make a decision that is good for you...
PROS of ball return system:
- It is more convenient to rack the balls if the balls all return to the end of the table.
- Some games like one pocket and straight pool have a lot of balls that go into the same pocket. A drop pocket can get too full, causing you to have to manually empty them during a game.
CONS of a ball return system:
- They are usually more expensive.
- They are usually noisier. This is one fact that is often overlooked.
- The ball return system is one more thing that needs to be maintained. Poorly designed or poorly setup ball returns will, often, have balls fall out of them. This can be a bit annoying.
Tip 4: Slate Condition: Especially if you're buying a used pool table, make sure the slate is in good condition and flat. Look for cracks and/or chips.
Tip 5: Moving Your New Table: Many 7 ft. pool billiard tables will need to be disassembled for transportation and then re-assembled. I have disassembled pool tables before and it is not that hard as long as you are careful. Make sure you don't lose any parts. Be careful when handling the slates, you don't want to drop or let them fall. They can chip, crack or break. Also, make sure you secure and protect them during transport. If you can, have a professional do the move.
Tip 6: Table Setup: If you want to have the best experience with your new equipment, have a professional setup your pool table. Some 7' billiard tables have 3 pieces of slate. Getting those slates even and level is tricky. Also, proper installation of the pool table felt and rails is very important. Find an experienced installer that has a good reputation. Ask a local pool hall owner or do some research online. Find an experienced table mechanic at AZ Billiards. Spending $400 or $500 to have someone setup your table is well worth it, if they do a good job. If you hire someone, do some research into their work to make sure they know what they are doing.
Check around and factor setup cost into your purchase. Don't go cheap on installation...it can make a huge difference in your satisfaction with your table.
Tip 7: Table Felt: As mentioned before, many 7 ft pool tables will need to be taken apart for movement. If it is a used pool table, don't assume you can re-use the table cloth. It can be hard or impossible to reuse the felt depending on it's condition and how it was installed. You will probably have to figure on buying new cloth (felt). Consult with your table mechanic to find out if you will need new felt. You should budget for about $80 for felt, just to be safe.
Ok, so there are my 7 tips for finding the right 7ft pool table. I hope this was helpful. As always, if you have any other questions about pool tables or need help deciding what to buy, leave a comment below. I'll be sure to get back to you quickly.
Also, if you have any advice for anyone about picking a table or opinions about my 7 tips, leave a comment below. All comments are welcome.
Good Luck with your pool table search.
Cheers,
Skippy
US $100.00
