Pool Tables

The Pool Table

Pool tables have evolved over the years. Believe it or not, in the early stages of the game, the tables did not have any rails or walls around the outside. These were added because the balls kept rolling of the table. (No kidding!) A green felt was also added to the tables around the same time to protect the balls from chipping and to give the player a better precision shot. The green color was chosen to represent grass since billiard games evolved from lawn games. As newer games developed, pockets were added to the rails to catch the balls. (The early games had different ways of accumulating points.)

Originally, wood was used to make the whole table, usually constructed by cabinet makers. As billiards progressed in popularity and precision, stronger, flatter materials were used for the base of the table, including marble and slate. Marble proved to be much too expensive. Slate became the choice of material because of its flatness and sturdiness.

Sizes of tables also varied depending on region and type of game. Traditional sizes today range from 7 feet to 10 feet. Seven foot tables are often considered a "bar-size table" in the United States. Eight to nine foot tables make the game much more difficult. They are used for competitive play. Snooker tables are about 10 feet long.