📷 Beard’s Billiards Guide to Buy: The Used Pool Table Check
Buying a used pool table is a smart investment, but it requires careful inspection to ensure you are getting a quality, playable table. Use this guide to assess the table’s condition and budget for the true cost of ownership.
1. The Critical Component: The Slate (The Unfixable Flaws)
The slate is the single most important and most expensive part of the table. Its condition is paramount.
- Type and Thickness: Look for 3-piece slate (easier to move, level, and often higher quality) that is at least 1 inch thick.
MAJOR WARNING SIGNS - AVOID THESE TABLES:
- Wood/MDF Beds: Wood-top tables CANNOT be re-felted. The cloth is often glued directly to the wood bed and cannot be replaced if torn or worn. These tables are generally low-quality and are not worth the investment.
- Cracked Slate: Cracks or significant chips in the slate are fatal flaws that are prohibitively expensive to fix.
- Condition Check: Run your hands and eyes across the surface. Look for visible warping.
- Framing: Ensure the slate is well-supported by a sturdy, solid frame underneath.
2. The Frame and Cabinet: Stability is Key
The cabinet supports the heavy slate and must be sturdy to maintain level play.
- Construction: Look for cabinets made of solid wood or high-quality plywood. Avoid particleboard or cheaply veneered wood that is peeling or crumbling.
- Joints and Legs: Check for any loose or separated joints where the legs meet the cabinet. The table must be absolutely stable with no wobble.
3. The Rails and Cushions (The Bounce Test)
The cushions dictate the quality of play, and the rails must be undamaged to hold the cushion system properly.
- Cushion Response: Roll a ball against the cushion with moderate force.
- Good: The ball should return with a lively, firm, and predictable bounce.
- Warning Signs: If the ball lands with a thud and barely bounces back, or if the rubber feels rock-hard and brittle to the touch, the cushions need to be replaced.
- Rail Condition (Crucial Check for Improper Moving): Check that the rails are securely bolted to the slate and the wood is free of warping.
- Inspect the Rail Skirt: Often, people try to move a heavy table by lifting on the rails. Check the rail skirt (the wooden part hanging down off the rail) for cracks, splits, or obvious repairs in the wood. This damage indicates the table was improperly moved, which can compromise the entire structural integrity, including the main frame and the slate seams, leading to future leveling issues.
4. The Cloth (Felt) and Pockets
The cloth affects speed and play, and the pockets must be intact to last.
- Cloth Reusability: It is strongly recommended not to reuse the existing cloth when the table is moved and reassembled. Re-stretching used felt can cause pinholes to enlarge and disrupts the fiber structure, which can cause balls to warble or wobble as they roll.
- Pockets: Inspect the leather, plastic, or rubber pockets for tears, rot, or major signs of wear.
- Pocket Durability Test: Gently scratch the outside surface of the leather or vinyl. If the finish easily chips or flakes off, they will not last much longer and need replacing.
5. Beyond the Table: Room Size & Installation Cost
Room Size (Minimum Clearances)
To ensure a comfortable stroke with a standard 58-inch cue, you need enough clear space around the playing area.
The "Golden Rule" for a comfortable game is to have 5 feet (60 inches) of clear space around all sides of the table.
Moving & Installation Costs
DO NOT attempt to move a slate table yourself! Professional moving and setup, which includes disassembly, transport, and precise leveling, is mandatory.
Average Cost Range: Professional moving and installation for a slate table typically costs between $900 and $1,500.
Key Costs to Budget For:
Professional disassembly, transport, and reassembly.
The cost of re-felting alone can range to $400 - $800 and up, depending on the type, weight/speed, and brand of cloth.
The Beard's Final Word:
Walk away immediately from any table with cracked slate or a wood top. Once the deal is made, follow the final step: call the experts.
You can call us and talk to me directly! Send pictures of your potential purchase to me for advice on the table you are considering. (For example: Is it a good brand? Is it worth the seller's asking price?) We put people before product, even if it's our own products.
- Johnithan W. Beard
CONTACT US TO GET YOUR TABLE MOVED RIGHT:
Beard’s Billiards and Games
170 Glades Road, Suite 4
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
"Get YOUR Game On!"
Published: November 27, 2025